The National Reining Horse Association Board of Directors has approved updates to the qualification process for the 2026 Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC).
These updates are intended to encourage increased participation at affiliate-level events, provide stronger support for NRHA affiliates, and restore the prestige of the North American Affiliate Championships, following the expanded qualification opportunities that were implemented in 2020 during the COVID-19 period.
A rider and horse combination can qualify for the 2026 North American Affiliate Championships by meeting ONE of the following required qualifying options:
- Performance Based Qualification: Competitors can qualify for the NAAC by competing in the designated ARC class and place in the Top Ten, plus ties. Qualification is determined on a rider/horse combination per class. Zeros or no scores do not place.
- OR
- Participation Based Qualification: Competitors can qualify for the NAAC by competing in a minimum of two NRHA approved affiliate hosted events within the same region prior to that region’s ARC. The ARC will serve as the third and final participation qualifying event for each region. Qualification is determined on a rider/horse combination per class. Exhibitors must receive a score in the specific class at each event for it to count toward the three-event requirement.
As defined in the NRHA Handbook, an “event” may include one or multiple shows and is defined as the entire duration of the reining from start to finish. A “show” is defined as a group of classes which may also be referred to as a slate of classes.
Riders may compete at more than one ARC, provided they are also members of an affiliate within the region of that ARC. However, riders may not enter an ARC class on the same horse that they already placed within the Top Ten earlier in the year at another ARC.
These updates do not affect riders who previously qualified for the 2025 NAAC classes, which will be held at the 2026 NRHA Derby due to those classes being postponed following the EHV outbreak last fall.
To find an affiliate near you, visit nrha.com/affiliate-directory. To ensure you are a member of a specific affiliate, please contact them directly.
You can find the full ARC & NAAC conditions here – 2026 ARC & Adequan® NAAC Conditions
