Amateur Titles and Awards

APHA recognizes Amateur, Novice Amateur and Amateur Walk-Trot competitors with year-end and perpetual awards programs to commemorate their achievements.

Points are accumulated on a one-horse/one-rider basis to those meeting eligibility and ownership requirements of the program.

Achievements are permanently recorded on the horse’s lifetime performance record with the Association.

YEAR-END AWARDS
Based on points accumulated from January 1 through December 31, year-end awards recognize achievements in several ways.

Top 20
The Top 20 list recognizes the top placing individuals based on their Top 20 shows of the year (counted individually by judge). APHA presents Gist buckles to the top twenty competitors in each of the following divisions:
• Classic Amateur
• Masters Amateur
• Novice Amateur
• Amateur Solid Paint-Bred (Top 10 recognized)

Honor Roll
Includes the 10 Amateurs and their horses in each of the following age divisions earning the most points in each event during the calendar year:
• Classic Amateur
• Masters Amateur
• Novice Amateur
• Amateur Solid Paint-Bred
• Amateur Walk-Trot
To be eligible for the award, a minimum of eight points must be earned.

Zone Award
Recognizes the top five Amateurs and their horses in each of the following divisions, living in each of the regional zones, based on total points earned within their respective zones:
• Classic Amateur
• Masters Amateur
• Novice Amateur
• Amateur Solid Paint-Bred

Rookie of the Year Award
Sponsored in part by Gist Silversmiths, the Rookie of the Year Award is for Amateurs and Novice Amateurs alike. One award will be presented annually to the Amateur cardholder earning the most points in their first year of Amateur competition. The award is based on the total points earned on a one-horse/one-rider basis.
In addition to being a first-time Amateur cardholder, participants cannot have previously earned any points in any other division of APHA or any other equine association competition.

Register of Merit (ROM)
Awarded to the Amateur/horse team that has won 10 or more points in one event in the following divisions:
• Amateur
• Novice Amateur
• Amateur Solid Paint-Bred
• Amateur Walk-Trot

Superior Event
Awarded to the Amateur/ horse team that earns 50 or more points in one event in the following divisions:
• Amateur
• Novice Amateur
• Amateur Solid Paint-Bred
• Amateur Walk-Trot

Amateur Performance Versatility
Awarded to the Amateur/horse team earning five ROMs (including one in Showmanship at Halter, Western Horsemanship, Hunt Seat Equitation or Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences) and a Superior award in one of the five events in which an ROM was earned in the following divisions:
• Amateur
• Amateur Solid Paint-Bred

Amateur Champion
Awarded to the Amateur/horse team that earns at least 40 points in a minimum of five Amateur shows and under five or more judges. Of those 40 points, 16 points must be earned in halter classes (with a minimum of 10 points won in Class A shows—150 or more entries or Class B shows—90 to 149 entries), and 16 points must be earned in performance classes. To qualify, the team must earn at least five points in two different categories of Amateur performance events in the following divisions:
• Amateur
• Amateur Solid Paint-Bred

Superior Amateur Champion
Awarded to the Amateur/horse team earning at least 270 points in halter or performance classes in APHA-approved “A” shows. At least 30 points must be won in halter and 240 in performance classes. Superior Champions must also earn Superior awards in four of the five categories of Amateur performance events, as well as ROMs in four of the five categories in events other than those in which the Superiors were won in the following divisions:
• Amateur
• Amateur Solid Paint-Bred

For more information on the Amateur and Novice Amateur exhibitor programs, call (817) 222-6447, or visit apha.com/amateur.