About Us


The mission of IRHA is to promote the broke, reliable, and versatile ranch-type horse. IRHA strives to promote the horsemanship skills of our members and to provide an atmosphere where honesty, personal growth, and politeness toward fellow horsemen exists. An environment where horses are respected and where true western tradition is genuinely honored.


For those that wish to test or improve your riding skills and abilities, IRHA offers the ideal opportunity.


Horses are shown more naturally, with no hoof black or banded manes. Your horse's tack is more realistic to the working ranch horse, and exhibitors wear traditional ranch attire.


For more information of requirements and regulation of tack, equipment, and exhibitor apparel, go the American Ranch Horse Association website or see the 2025-2026 handbook.

Annual Membership Options


Family - defined as spouse and youth members of a family that reside in the same household. All other members 19 years & older must purchase an Individual membership regardless of residence. A family membership is $40.


Individual - designed for those sole members entering the All Age, Amateur, and Novice Amateur. An individual membership is $25.


Youth - defined as those members who are 18 years or younger as of January 1st of the fiscal year. Youth who are included in a family membership DO NOT pay an additional youth membership. A youth membership is $15. This includes youth and novice divisions.


General - This is a non-competing membership for horses that are jointly owned by family members, partnerships, and/or farms and ranches. Any jointly owned horse(s) are required to have a separate IRHA membership to be eligible for IRHA Weekend and Year-End awards. A general membership is $25.


To view the membership forms, click here.

Divisions


There are different divisions offered at the IRHA shows. All divisions require an ARHA membership. All horses must have a Certificate of Eligibility License before showing at any ARHA sanctioned show. Memberships and Certificate of Eligibilities can be found on the ARHA website.


All Age

Open to all contestants regardless of age or status. This division is divided into JR Horse (horses 5 years of age and younger) and SR Horse (horse 6 years of age and older).


Amateur

A person who has not received direct or indirect remuneration for showing, training, giving lessons, or clinics in the last 36 months. Complete details of Amateur rules and regulations can be found on page 36 of the ARHA rulebook.


Youth

Members that are 18 years of age or younger as of January 1st of the fiscal year. Married persons or those with children do not qualify for Youth status, even if they meet the age requirements. Details for the youth division can be found on page 36 of the ARHA rulebook.


Novice

Amateur & Youth - Novice exhibitors must also carry an ARHA Amateur or Youth card. A member is eligible for Novice status until they have accumulated 1000 points. Points are accumulated on rider only in the novice division. Novice riders may cross enter in the regular Amateur or Youth classes as well as in the Open classes. More details on the Novice divisions can be found on page 37 of the ARHA rulebook.


There is also a Novice Cattle Designation for those exhibitors that are novice in the cattle classes only.


Novice exhibitors are required to fill out a Novice Declaration form. That form can be found on the ARHA website or on this website on the FORMS page.


It is important to KNOW YOUR ELIGIBILITY.


Points will begin accumulating once your membership is paid.

Overview of Classes Offered


IRHA offers a variety of pattern and cattle classes. To name a few:

Ranch Trail is a class that each charter will design a different pattern for each show. It will include various obstacles that might be found on the trail or during the course of a day on the ranch.


Ranch Riding is the rail class that displays the balance and free movement of the ranch type horse.


Ranchmanship is a class that showcases the versatility and preciseness of both horse and rider. It combines trail and reining maneuvers in a single pattern that is designed by ARHA. This class IS NOT timed.


Ranch Reining is just as it says - a modified reining pattern for the ranch horse.


Ranch Cutting is a popular cattle class. Riders have two and a half minutes to demonstrate they can cut a single cow from the herd, hold it from the herd, and then track and pen the calf. This is similar to working cattle on the ranch.


Ranch Roping is a class that is like doctoring cattle on the ranch. Cattle are numbered 0-9 and as the rider crosses the timeline, the judges will call a specific number. The rider will rope trying not to disturb the rest of the herd. Riders have 90 seconds to rope their cow. A breakaway hondo is required.


Ranch Boxing is a class where riders have 50 seconds to demonstrate they can control and hold a single cow on the end of the arena.


Working Ranch Horse is maybe the most advanced of the ranch classes. It is a three part class. Riders will perform a designated reining pattern, call for a cow to box, turn it on the fence, and then rope using a breakaway hondo. This class has a 6 minute time limit.


Classes that are not "ranch" classes IRHA offers are:

  • Conformation - halter classes divided by gender and age: 2 years & under/3 years & over
  • Horsemanship - short pattern to demonstrate correctness of horse and rider
  • Herdwork - two and a half minutes to cut up to 3 cows
  • Working Cow Horse -


All classes have more detailed descriptions and guidelines that can be found in the ARHA rulebook.