Showing > FAQs

Your horse must be registered with AQHA for most of the classes we offer.  The exceptions would be a class that is labeled “MQHA”. Those classes are MQHA Walk Trot for Youth, MQHA Walk Trot for Adults and our Small Fry Division.  These classes do not require AQHA papers to participate.  The MQHA Futurity also does not require AQHA papers, but the horse entered must be registered with a breed association (APHA, ApHC, etc).

If you are entering an AQHA approved class, you will need a copy of the AQHA registration papers.  Both the owner (listed on the papers) and the exhibitor (if different from the owner) must be members of AQHA.  If that is not the case, we can help you purchase the correct AQHA membership directly from us at the show.

No, MQHA membership is not required to participate at an AQHA approved event.  It is strongly encouraged because if you are member, you can earn year end points and win beautiful awards at the end of the season.

You must have a current MQHA membership prior to the show to earn MQHA points at that show. Most MQHA Memberships expire 12 months from purchase.

Open class points are awarded to the owner of the horse, so the owner is required to have a MQHA membership. All other divisions require the exhibitor to have a current MQHA membership. See rulebook for specific information on eligible memberships for points.

This form helps direct us to what you would like for awards.  It lets us know sizes for items and it tells us you are committed to obtaining your hard earned awards.

MQHA points are earned differently than AQHA points and they DO NOT affect your eligibility for divisions (level).  MQHA points are given based on the number of horses shown, but a win earns an exhibitor a maximum of nine points for a class with nine or more in the class.

MQHA POINTS

Placing                                  Points

FIRST                                        Equals number of horses in class (not to exceed 9)

SECOND                               Equals number of horses in class less 1 (not to exceed 8)

THIRD                                      Equals number of horses in class less 2 (not to exceed 7)

FOURTH                                Equals number of horses in class less 3 (not to exceed 6)

FIFTH                                       Equals number of horses in class less 4 (not to exceed 5)

SIXTH                                       Equals number of horses in class less 5  (not to exceed 4)

SEVENTH                             Equals number of horses in class less 6 (not to exceed 3)

EIGHTH                                  Equals number of horses in class less 7 (not to exceed 2)

NINTH                                     Equals number of horses in class less 8 (not to exceed 1)

MQHA – Small Fry and Walk Trot classes are open to anyone within the corresponding age group. A membership is not required to participate. MQHA year end points are awarded to MQHA members.   (Exception is the MQHA Futurity Classes)

AQHA– Require accurate AQHA membership (Open, Youth, Amateur) for exhibitors. The horse owner must have a current AQHA membership. The horse is required to be registered with AQHA. Exhibitor and horse eligibility for each class depends on AQHA (need to refer to the leveling information).

NSBA– Require owners and exhibitors have a current NSBA membership. Horse must be NSBA Registered.

Rookie -both horse and rider must be rookie eligible per AQHA  (leveling link) AQHA horse ownership is not required for the exhibitor.

 Level 1 – the rider only must be eligible per AQHA leveling (leveling link)  AQHA horse ownership is not required for the exhibitor

Youth – any exhibitor who is 18 years or younger, on January 1 of the show year.  Youth classes require horse ownership (by the youth or an eligible family member).

Amateur – any exhibitor who is 19 or older, on January 1 of the show year. Must qualify for amateur by acknowledging that they are not a professional rider, coach, horse trainer, etc. Amateur classes require horse ownership (by the amateur or an eligible family member).

Select – any exhibitor who is 50 or older, on the day of the show. Must qualify for select amateur by acknowledging that they are not a professional rider, coach, horse trainer, etc. Select Amateur classes require horse ownership (by the select amateur or an eligible family member).

 Green or Level 1 Horse – the horse must be eligible for these classes. Eligibility levels can be found on AQHA website (leveling link).

Open – Classes allow anyone to show in but typically are utilized by horse trainers/professionals.  The horse owner and the exhibitor must be members. Any registered AQHA horse can participate provided they are in the correct age division for that class (junior horse (5 and younger), senior horse (6 and older) or all age open classes are offered).

All of the shows on our calendar are MQHA approved.  There are seven circuits.  You can show at any or all of them and earn year end points.

AQHA POINTS–  Fewer than three entries = no points.

Entries                  1st          2nd        3rd          4th          5th

3–4                           0.5          —             —             —             —

5–9                           1               0.5          —             —             —

10–14                     2               1               0.5          —             —

15–19                     3               2               1               0.5          —

20–24                     4               3               2               1               0.5

25–29                     5               4               3               2               1

30–34                     6               5               4               3               2

35–39                     7               6               5               4               3

Source: AQHA Rule SHW261.

A stall reservation link is available on the website.  There will be information about when the link for the stalls will open. Many of the shows sell out very quickly, so it is important to keep an eye out for when the reservations open.  The same link can be used to order a campsite and to order bedding.

Your classes can be entered online. The link typically opens a few weeks prior to the event. The link typically closes around the time that horses are moving into the venue.  If you enter using the link, you are asked to check in at the office after move in, verify the classes entered (you can add or scratch classes), bring a method of payment and we will update/correct your back number at that time.  If you miss the opportunity to pre enter, there is a form available for you to enter at the show.  Please bring a method of payment with you when you come to make your entries.  We accept checks, credit cards (with a 3.5% fee) and cash.

MQHA sells 1-400 annually as a fundraiser for the association.  You can purchase one of these numbers when the back number auction opens at the Annual Convention. After the Convention, the remaining numbers can be purchased using the online link. If a number does not show up on the list, it is not available.  If you would like a number higher than 400, you are welcome to bring it with you and discuss it with the show management when you check in.  It is very possible that you will be able to use your own number.   Back numbers are also available for that circuit, during the show. You can pick one out of the pile in the office.

• You must be a current current MQHA member
• Complete a Letter of Intent and submit payment of $100 (for each horse if showing multiple) by May 1
• Participate in 2 MQHYA Board Meetings
• Secure $200 in sponsorships.
• Youth completing requirements for the Youth World Show Team are not required to secure additional sponsorships for NYATT.
• Youth is required to exhibit at one MQHA circuit during the qualifying period.
• Will be asked to secure an additional $150 if the show is not attended.
• The family of the youth will be required to sell tickets for the yearly cash raffle

NOTE

• Nationally Qualified Youth need to complete a Letter of Intent, the $100 payment, secure $200 in sponsorships, and sell tickets in the yearly cash raffle to receive team benefits (apparel, port-a-cools, night watchman, and other items)
• Out of State Youth need a valid Change of Affiliate Form on file with AQHA

• Current MQHA member
• Complete a Letter of Intent and submit payment of $100 (for each horse if showing multiple) by May 1
• Participate in 2 MQHYA Board Meetings
• Secure $200 in sponsorships.
• Youth completing requirements for the Youth World Show Team are not required to secure additional sponsorships for NYATT.
• Youth is required to exhibit at one MQHA circuit during the qualifying period.
• Will be asked to secure an additional $150 if the show is not attended.
• The family of the youth will be required to sell tickets for the yearly cash raffle

NOTE

• Points are determined from the Youth 13 & Under, Youth 14-18, and All-Age Youth Classes
• Out of State Youth need a valid Change of Affiliate Form on file with AQHA

You can email one of the Youth Advisors to receive the meeting link, or message the MQHYA Facebook page.

Awards for the Harbor Classic (spring grades) are due June 15, and awards for the Convention are due January 1 (fall grades).

Applications are accepted in the fall each year. Be on the lookout on the MQHYA Facebook for more information.