Navigating NRHA Categories

What Are NRHA Categories?

The National Reining Horse Association currently recognizes 13 categories of classes. Each category represents a segment of classes with similar characteristics. Categories aren’t always listed on schedules or entry forms, but they are used as part of the recordkeeping process so riders’ and horses’ earnings can be easily and logically grouped. This is important for eligibility calculations and for determining the winners of NRHA year-end awards.

The categories, described below, include divisions for professional and non pro exhibitors as well as for various special classes or events.

Category 1: Ancillary Classes

These are horse show classes eligible for NRHA Year-End Awards.

Category 2: Aged Show Classes

These are futurities, derbies, maturities, etc. based on the age of the horse and open to any horse of that age.

Category 3: Youth Classes

For members 18 years of age and younger as of January 1 of the current year. Within this, there are Youth 10 & Under Short Stirrup, Youth 13 & Under, Youth 14–18, Youth Rookie 18 & Under, and Unrestricted Youth divisions.

Category 4: Breed or Alliance Classes

These are American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, World Para-Reining, and USA Reining Para-Reining

Category 5: Ancillary Classes

These are horse show classes not eligible for NRHA Year-End Awards.

Category 6: Closed Aged Shows

These are futurities, derbies, maturities, etc. based on the age of the horse and open only to horses that meet certain nomination, enrollment or other conditions.

Category 7: NRHA Affiliate Championship Classes

These are the Affiliate Regional Championships, the European Affiliate Championships, and the North American Affiliate Championships.

Category 8: International & NGB Classes

These classes are those that fall into the framework of national governing bodies and international competition.

Category 9: Freestyle Reining Classes

This is a special category for classes that are choreographed to music.

Category 10: Entry Level Classes

This is a great place to begin. Entry level classes are Green Reiner (Levels 1 and 2), Ride & Slide (Levels 1 and 2 - also in Open, Non Pro, and Youth).

Category 11: Other Approved Classes

These are classes that for various reasons do not fit into other categories. The Run for a Million Invitational fits into this category.

Category 12: NRHA Nominator Incentive Earnings

When a person nominates a horse to the NRHA Nomination program, a certain percentage of the horse’s earnings at the event it was nominated for (the NRHA North American and/or European Futurities and Derbies) will be remitted to the person who nominated it. Those earnings are counted in this category.

Category 13: Other Approved Classes With Earnings and Status Limitations

Earnings from these classes do not count toward lifetime earnings, NRHA Million Dollar (sire/dam/owner/rider/breeder) status, rider/horse eligibility, Top 20 Program, World Championships nor Top Ten Awards.

Which classes will I most often see at weekend NRHA events?

Open, Intermediate Open, Limited Open, Rookie Professional, Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro, Limited Non Pro, Prime Time Non Pro, and Novice Horse (Levels 1, 2 and 3, in Open and Non Pro)

Youth 10 & Under Short Stirrup, Youth 13 & Under, Youth 14–18, Youth Rookie 18 & Under, and Unrestricted Youth

Rookie (Level 1 and Level 2), Prime Time Open, and Prime Time Rookie
(Category 5 has other classes, too, but they are used less frequently)

Entry Level Ride & Slide (Levels 1 2, in Open, Non Pro, and Youth), Green Reiner (Levels 1 and 2)

If I compete in an aged event (e.g., a futurity, derby, or maturity), in which category is that money counted?

In Category 2 (Aged Show Classes) or Category 6 (Closed Aged Shows), depending on the show conditions.

Which categories are used the least?

Category 4: Breed or Alliance Classes
Category 7: NRHA Affiliate Championship Classes
Category 8: International & NGB Classes
Category 9: Freestyle Reining Classes
Category 11: Other Approved Classes
Category 13: Other Approved Classes with Earnings and Status Limitations

Where can I find the NRHA Eligibility Policy to see how categories impact which classes I can enter?

There are now two different ways to check eligibility: with NRHA’s web-based software tool called ReinerSuite or by manually estimating using show records available to members online.

With a ReinerSuite account - free to NRHA members - it is easy to check both horse and rider eligibility just by filling in a few fields. You can find more about that here.

To check eligibility manually, click on Eligibility at the bottom of this page. You’ll find the NRHA Worldwide Eligibility policy there. It lists which categories count toward class eligibility for each given category and international regions. For example, if you want to enter Category 1 classes, your (or your horse’s) previous earnings sum the earnings from your show record, in the categories listed, and for the timeframe listed, to determine your earnings counted toward your eligibility. If your earnings in those categories exceed the earnings cap for a certain class for the designated time period, then you have a good indication you are not eligible to enter that class. There are other rules that apply such the "factor back" rule, so please refer to the ReinerSuite Eligibility Tool for an accurate assessment of your eligibility. If you have questions on eligibility, you can email eligibility@nrha.com or call the NRHA office for assistance.