Class Leveling

What is Class-Leveling?

The Competition Committee established a Leveling task force to research, assess and develop a proposed Class-leveling system to implement at NCHA Produced Events. The goal of the Class-leveling system is to create a level playing field for competitors and to grow participation across all levels. The analysis and research from the Competition Committee task force resulted in a Class-leveling system that consists of three levels within each division (Open, Non-Pro, Amateur). Each level is determined by Lifetime Earnings.

Class-Leveling Overview

Open Division

Non-Pro Division

Amateur Division

Additional Class Details

• Each level within a division is its own class and a rider may enter up if they choose.
• Senior, Gelding and Novice Classes remain the same as a class within a class.
• There is NO exception to roll back to the Limited Division. 
• If a rider chooses to enter more than one level in a class, show management must ensure that a horse will not be drawn twice in the same set. In addition, if a rider chooses to enter all three levels in one division, he/she must combo one of the runs so that a horse will only be shown twice in the same class. 
  

Exceptions

Senior Exception:

Open, Non-Pro or Amateur leveled riders 70 and older can enter down into the Intermediate class regardless of earnings or rider rankings. There is no exception that allows a rider to return to the Limited class.

An Amateur competitor who is 60-69, if he or she qualifies under Amateur rules, may compete in the top tier Amateur class regardless of Limited Age Non-Pro earnings.

Revolving Door:

Open, Non-Pro or Amateur leveled riders NOT in the Top 100 money earning riders from the previous two point years, in ANY division, may drop back into the Intermediate class.

Earnings Cap:

An Amateur competitor under the age of 60, who has won $250,000 or more in total Non-Pro LAE money (excluding shows with less than $10,000 in added money) they MUST make a choice:

• to remain an Amateur and compete exclusively, during the current competition year in the Amateur Division
• to compete in the Non-Pro Division

Once a Non-Pro has won $250,000 or more in Total Open LAE money (excluding shows with less than $10,000 in added money), they MUST make a choice:

• to remain a Non-Pro and compete exclusively, during the current competition year in the Non-Pro Division
• to compete in the Open Division