Frequently Asked Questions
New to horse showing or to AHJA? Hopefully these Frequently Asked Questions can help!
I've never been to a horse show before. What should I expect?
Welcome to the wonderful world of horse showing! Please read our Show Etiquette Guidelines to learn more about how our shows are conducted, parking at the show, what attire is expected or required for competitors, how schooling and warm-ups work, and more. It's also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the AHJA General Rules.
How do I enter one of your shows? Where do I send payment?
First, please look over the Show Divisions we offer at all of our shows, and discuss with your trainer about which division(s) you are eligible and suited for. If you have any questions, please contact us before entering. A Prize List, which has information about the upcoming show and includes a classlist and a manual entry form, can be downloaded on our Entry Forms/Prize Lists page. The manual entry form can be printed and then filled out. Completed forms can be scanned and emailed or snail-mailed to our show secretary. We also offer online entry at HorseShowsOnline.com, which will also be linked on the Entry Forms/Prize Lists page. Payments are handled on the day of the show at the show office.
I entered the X-Rail Rider division at the November 2015 show but didn't show at all the rest of the year. Am I still eligible to show in the X-Rail Rider division in 2017?
No. When a rider enters a rider-restricted division (X-Rail Rider or 18" Beginner Rider) at any show during a calendar year, it counts towards their two consecutive year limit, whether they only entered one show or all six shows for the year. The same goes for horses in the Green Horse Division.
Can I enter the 2'3", 2'6", and 2'9" Hunter Divisions with the same horse?
No. Each horse/rider combo can only cross enter into divisions with fence heights of a three inch difference. This includes the Under Saddle classes. So, a horse/rider combo could enter into the 2'3" and 2'6" divisions OR the 2'6" and 2'9" divisions, but not all three. Nor could the same horse/rider combo enter both the 2'3" and the 2'9" divisions. A rider could however show one horse in the 2'3" division and another horse in the 2'9" division. Similarly, a horse could show with one rider in the 2'3" division and with another rider in the 2'9" division. The exception to this is that any riders showing in the 2' Limit Rider division cannot show higher than 2'3" on any horse; and horses showing in the 2' Green Horse division cannot show higher than 2'3" with any rider. Riders in the X-Rail Rider and 18" Beginner Rider divisions are also restricted to not showing above 18" and 2', respectively.
Can I enter both a Hunter division and a Jumper division?
Yes. As long as each horse/rider combo is still only cross entering into divisions with fence heights of a three inch difference, it doesn't matter if the divisions are Hunter or Jumper divisions. So, a horse/rider combo could enter the 2'6" Intermediate Hunter division and the Hopeful Jumper division without issue.
What's the difference between Hunter classes and Equitation classes?
Our Hunter divisions (with the exception of the Green Horse division) are a combination of both Hunter classes and Equitation classes. In short, the difference is based on whether the judging is primarily on the horse or the rider. In Hunter classes, it's the horse's movement and manners that are the focus; in Equitation classes, it's the rider's position, seat, and aids.
Welcome to the wonderful world of horse showing! Please read our Show Etiquette Guidelines to learn more about how our shows are conducted, parking at the show, what attire is expected or required for competitors, how schooling and warm-ups work, and more. It's also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the AHJA General Rules.
How do I enter one of your shows? Where do I send payment?
First, please look over the Show Divisions we offer at all of our shows, and discuss with your trainer about which division(s) you are eligible and suited for. If you have any questions, please contact us before entering. A Prize List, which has information about the upcoming show and includes a classlist and a manual entry form, can be downloaded on our Entry Forms/Prize Lists page. The manual entry form can be printed and then filled out. Completed forms can be scanned and emailed or snail-mailed to our show secretary. We also offer online entry at HorseShowsOnline.com, which will also be linked on the Entry Forms/Prize Lists page. Payments are handled on the day of the show at the show office.
I entered the X-Rail Rider division at the November 2015 show but didn't show at all the rest of the year. Am I still eligible to show in the X-Rail Rider division in 2017?
No. When a rider enters a rider-restricted division (X-Rail Rider or 18" Beginner Rider) at any show during a calendar year, it counts towards their two consecutive year limit, whether they only entered one show or all six shows for the year. The same goes for horses in the Green Horse Division.
Can I enter the 2'3", 2'6", and 2'9" Hunter Divisions with the same horse?
No. Each horse/rider combo can only cross enter into divisions with fence heights of a three inch difference. This includes the Under Saddle classes. So, a horse/rider combo could enter into the 2'3" and 2'6" divisions OR the 2'6" and 2'9" divisions, but not all three. Nor could the same horse/rider combo enter both the 2'3" and the 2'9" divisions. A rider could however show one horse in the 2'3" division and another horse in the 2'9" division. Similarly, a horse could show with one rider in the 2'3" division and with another rider in the 2'9" division. The exception to this is that any riders showing in the 2' Limit Rider division cannot show higher than 2'3" on any horse; and horses showing in the 2' Green Horse division cannot show higher than 2'3" with any rider. Riders in the X-Rail Rider and 18" Beginner Rider divisions are also restricted to not showing above 18" and 2', respectively.
Can I enter both a Hunter division and a Jumper division?
Yes. As long as each horse/rider combo is still only cross entering into divisions with fence heights of a three inch difference, it doesn't matter if the divisions are Hunter or Jumper divisions. So, a horse/rider combo could enter the 2'6" Intermediate Hunter division and the Hopeful Jumper division without issue.
What's the difference between Hunter classes and Equitation classes?
Our Hunter divisions (with the exception of the Green Horse division) are a combination of both Hunter classes and Equitation classes. In short, the difference is based on whether the judging is primarily on the horse or the rider. In Hunter classes, it's the horse's movement and manners that are the focus; in Equitation classes, it's the rider's position, seat, and aids.