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 subclass (class within a class).
• 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. 

Roll Backs and Exceptions

Top Tier Amateur Roll Back

Amateur qualified riders aged 60 and over may roll back into the top tier Amateur level regardless of Limited Age Non-Pro earnings. 

Intermediate Roll Back - Top 100

Open or Non-Pro riders who are NOT listed on ANY of the Top 100* money earning rider lists may roll back into their respective Intermediate levels.

Amateur riders who are NOT listed on ANY of the Top 100* money earning rider lists AND are NOT in the Non-Pro Hall of Fame (if under age 60) may roll back into the Intermediate Amateur level.

*Riders are placed on the Top 100 rider list(s) based on earnings in the respective division (Open, Non-Pro, Amateur) during the previous two (2) point years. The Open List reflects Open earnings, the Non-Pro list reflects Non-Pro earnings (except the weekend 25,000 and 5,000 Novice Horse Non-Pro classes), and the Amateur list reflects Amateur earnings.

Intermediate Roll Back - Senior

Open and Non-Pro riders aged 70 and older can roll back into the Intermediate level regardless of earnings or Top 100 list rider rankings.

Amateur riders aged 70 and older can roll back into the Intermediate level regardless of earnings, top 100 list rider rankings or Hall of Fame status.

Limited Roll Back

A rider may never return to the Limited level once earning limits have been reached.

Earnings Caps for Amateurs and Non-Pros

Amateurs with NON-PRO LAE 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) MUST make a choice:

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

Non-pros WITH open LAE EARNINGS CAP:

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

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