Amateur Division
Amateur Information

2011 Trans Tasman Challenge Amateur Team

Trans Tasman Information

Official Uniform Suppliers of the 2011 AQHA Trans Tasman Teams

2011 Trans Tasman Amateur Team Comments:

Trans Tasman is a wonderful experience, which tests your skills and challenges your abilities. Our 2011 Amateur Team showed a wonderful team effort, they were completely committed, and supported one another brilliantly. I was so very proud to coach our Victorious Australian Amateur Team.

Dawn Marshall - Coach

It was a fantastic experience from the moment we arrived to a Kiwi guard of honor, til the  moment we left. Everyone was so friendly and helpful, the venue and facilities were great. With good horses and a full itinerary both socially and competitively it was an experience I would recommend to anyone. Thank you AQHA-NZ and to everyone who made the  Trans Tasman Challenge an event that I will treasure forever.

Carol Elliott - Team Member

The AQHA Trans-Tasman, was an wonderful experience for me. The team support was amazing. I learnt a lot of new skills & met a lot of new friends. The clinics were very informative & with the help of our coach, we were as prepared as possible to go out & show with our NZ horses.

I take away a lot of new ideas to help me get on with showing my own horse with renewed confidence.

To anyone who was thinking of applying this time & didn’t, make sure you apply it next time, it is so worth the effort.

A massive Thankyou to the AQHA & everyone else involved in the organisation & our kind Sponsors, Equivibe, AM Printing & Big Valley Quarter Horse Association.

Leteisha Andrea - Team Member

Equivibe In Action and a Trans Tasman Buckle

•  Amateur Division Constitution

• Clarification of Amateur Rules - August 2011

•  AQHA Amateur Division Web site
   
• Requirements For Amateurs
• How to become an Amateur
• From The Beginning
• The Events
• Amateur Division Teams Challenge
• The Rewards
• Our current amateurs: weekly updated list
• How to become A Select Amateur:

Amateurs that are 50 yrs & over

Requirements For Amateurs

An Amateur must possess a current Amateur Endorsement as issued by the AQHA in addition to being a financial member of the AQHA.

An Amateur Endorsement application must be completed and submitted every year.

The Amateur has to be 19 years of age or older on August 1st 2011 and have not within the previous three years:

a) Exhibited a horse owned by someone other than
    the Amateur or the Amateur's immediate family
    member* for remuneration**.
b) Trained a horse owned by someone other than the
    Amateur or the Amateur's immediate family
    member*  for remuneration**.
c) Assisted in training a horse owned by someone
    other than the Amateur or the Amateur's
    immediate family member* for
    remuneration**.           
d) Instructed a person in riding, driving, training, or
    showing a horse either directly or indirectly for
    remuneration**.

* "Immediate family member" means the Amteur's spouse, child, stepchild, legal ward, father, mother, step-parent, sister, brother, grandparent, grandchild or legal guardian.
** "Remuneration" means payment of money or other consideration for a service or benefit. Under AQHA rules, prize money is not to be considered remuneration, but payment of entry fees, expenses etc, by any person other than the contestant or the contestant's family member as stated above is considered remuneration.

PLEASE NOTE:
Youth members CANNOT apply for an Amateur Endorsement.

How To Become An Amateur

This procedure outlines how to become a Amateur of the Australian Quarter Horse Association.

Step 1: Refer to the the Requirements above to check your eligibility.

Step 2: Complete and sign an Application for Amateurs:
             a) If you did not have Amateur Endorsement in 20010/11 but wish to apply for in
                 2011/12, please renew your Membership Online.
             b) If you are unable to renew online, please download an Application for Amateur Endorsement.

Step 3: Check the current fee here.
             Please note that the AQHA Membership year runs from August 1 - July 31.

Step 4: If you are unable to renew online send the fully completed Application to
             Australian Quarter Horse Association
             PO Box 979
             Tamworth, NSW 2340  

From the Beginning

At the 1997 AQHA National Show a meeting  was convened for Amateurs. At this meeting a group of interested amateurs volunteered and later formed the committee of the Amateur Division of the AQHA.

The Amateur Division is very committed to working towards servicing the needs of all Amateurs by organising and subsidising such things as Training Clinics, Video Library and Sponsorship  of Amateur Events.

In conjunction with the AQHA Board the Amateur Division is liaising with members nationwide to promote incentives aimed at  encouraging and supporting both new and current members.

The AQHA's monthly Quarter Horse Magazine has an Amateurs section with up-to-date news and information from the Amateur Division.

The Events

Being an Amateur gives the person an extra benefit of competing in classes provided strictly for them, as well as being able to compete in open classes.

Amateurs can compete in a wide range of events including:

• Halter
• Showmanship
• Hunt Seat Equitation
• Hunter Under Saddle
• Hunter Hack
• Western Horsemanship
• Western Pleasure
• Trail
• Western Riding
• Reining
• Dressage
  
  
  

PLEASE NOTE: The AQHA Rules and Regulations state that Amateurs riding in Open classes can only ride their own horses or horses owned by their immediate family members.

Photo description: PAULA BALGERA at Q10. Photo: Glenn Mandl Photography.   


AMATEUR DIVISION TEAMS CHALLENGE

Every year at the AQHA Nationals, there is an Amateur Teams Challenge. this event is held to promote team spirit and sportsmanship among amateurs. The challenge is an excellent opportunity to meet new people, make new friends and have a lot of fun. The teams challenge is a freestyle event and all you need is a team of four riders, a theme and a lot of imagination. This event is kindly sponsored each year with the winning team taking home a beautifully embroidered rug for each team member and the team manager. So put your thinking caps on and start planning your team!   

If you can't put a team together contact a member of the amateur committee who will be able to put you in contact with other amateurs in your area.

Photo description: KERRIE MARTIN at Q10. Photo: Glenn Mandl Photography.


The Rewards

The AQHA records all points earned by registered Amateurs at all approved shows. This enables Amateurs to qualify for certificates of  achievement including Register of Merits, Superior Awards, Bronze, Silver and Gold Century Awards as well as AQHA Amateur Champions. These awards can be  earned in each separate event.

The highest points earner in each event and in each State  and Nationwide is then named The End of Year High Point and Runner-Up of that  event for that current year. These awards are keenly contested and are presented  at End of Year Presentation Nights.

Many affiliated clubs all around Australia also have separate High Point Awards for each show and at the end of show season.

To find out more, please email us.