As a new member, you will have many questions. Hopefully this page has some of the answers you are looking for. If not, please don't hesitate to contact any one of our officers!
FAQ
How do I qualify for year-end awards?
A.First, you must be a current IRHA member. Second, you must show at 4 of the 5 shows. To qualify for the Top Hand/Top Horse award, you need to do steps one and two, as well as show in at least one cattle class.
What do I need to show my horse?
A.You will need to register your horse with ARHA. It is called a Certificate of Eligibility. There is a one-time fee to register your horse. That form can be found on our FORMS page or on the ARHA website.
What is the difference between becoming an ARHA member and an IRHA member?
A.You must have an ARHA membership to show at any ARHA sanctioned show. You do NOT have to be a member of IRHA to show at an IRHA sanctioned show. However, you must be a member of IRHA to be eligible for Weekend High Point awards, Yearend High Point awards, and various "event" awards that IRHA sponsors during the show season. A membership will also allow you to have voting rights on numerous charter decisions.
Why should I show in IRHA?
A.IRHA offers its membership premium show grounds on which to camp and show your horse. It offers a wide variety of classes you can enter and experience new events with your horse. The charter takes its members' wishes & concerns into consideration and sees to the best interests of the charter as a whole.
Can I show any horse, say, for instance, my friend's horse?
A.The short answer is, yes, as long as:
the horse is registered with ARHA
the owner(s) are members of ARHA
you are a current ARHA member
NOTE: if you are an Amateur or Novice Amateur showing a horse that you do not own, you must still be solely responsible for the payment of all expenditures for that horse throughout the show.
How can I get involved?
A.It's easy! We welcome anyone interested in ARHA or IRHA to visit us at our shows, ride or audit a clinic, and stop by the show office and ask questions. There is always something for everyone.
Are there practices anywhere? Can I get training and help with showing?
A.Several of our members are trainers and offer clinics, as well as private lessons. Our shows are the perfect place to meet members who are willing to help with showing.
How are points figured?
A.For classes that have less than 10 entries, horses will be awarded as many points as there are horses in the class. For instance, if there are 4 horses in the class, first place receives four points, second place receives three points, third place receives two points, and fourth place receives one point.
There must be at least two horses in any class for points to be awarded. The points system can be found in the back of the ARHA rulebook. For IRHA, you must show in 4 out of the 5 sanctioned shows in order to be eligible for the Year-end awards. You do NOT have to accumulate points in that class at all shows; however, the member with the highest accumulated points in a particular class will receive the award.
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