12/19/2025
🚨 IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR 2026 WCRH AMATEUR & YOUTH EXHIBITORS 🚨
As West Coast Ranch Horse steps into our first full year of AQHA-approved shows & events, we are re-clarifying Non-Professional eligibility expectations. We want our Amateur and Youth divisions to stay fair, ethical, compliant and true to the spirit of non-pro competition.
If you receive ANY form of payment or financial benefit (cash, lessons, discounts, entry fees, barter, board, training deals, etc.) for training, showing, instructing, or judging horses — if you are involved in a professional training business in any of these capacities or are advertising yourself to provide these services — you are not eligible to compete as a Non-Professional and must show as a Professional.
These rules are not new, but we are tightening enforcement to align with AQHA standards and protect the integrity of our competition. Exhibitors are responsible for knowing and maintaining their eligibility. WCRH may review concerns, request documentation, and address non-compliance when necessary.
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Official WCRH Rulebook Language
M6. In order to join as an Amateur or Youth member, a rider must be a Non-professional.
Non-professional: A Non-Professional (Non-Pro) exhibitor is a rider who does not receive remuneration, directly or indirectly, for the training, showing, instructing, or judging of horses, and who rides and participates in events solely on a non-commercial basis.
• Remuneration: For the purposes of WCRH Non-Professional eligibility, remuneration includes, but is not limited to, cash, discounts, credits, entry fees, free or reduced board or training, lessons, hauling, showing, barter, or any other direct or indirect compensation. Acceptance of remuneration for training, showing, instructing, or judging of horses disqualifies an exhibitor from Non-Professional status for 3 years. (Payment of entry fees and/or expenses by anyone other than the amateur, the amateur’s “Immediate Family” as defined herein or an amateur’s collegiate team and/or nationally sponsored team (team demonstrations, exhibitions or international competitions only) shall be considered remuneration).
• Prohibited Activities: An exhibitor is not eligible for Non-Professional status if they:
◦ Train, show, instruct, or judge horses for compensation, either direct or indirect
◦ Are employed in, operate, or represent a professional training, instruction, or showing business, either formally or informally
◦ Receive remuneration for riding, showing, preparing, or training horses not owned or leased by the exhibitor or immediate family
• Eligibility Responsibility and Enforcement:
◦ Exhibitors are responsible for maintaining their own eligibility and compliance with these rules
◦ WCRH reserves the right to review eligibility, request documentation, and enforce compliance when concerns are recognized or reported
◦ Violations may result in disqualification, forfeiture of points or awards, and revocation of membership
Link to WCRH Rulebook: https://westcoastranchhorse.com/rulebook
Link to AQHA Rulebook: https://www.aqha.com/aqha-rulebook
