AQHA open jumping, WHERE CAN I GO??

[mrs_beasley]

I am trying to figure out where the heck I have to go to do some Open Jumping classes to get points towards the 2018 World Show. Only .5 points are needed to qualify, but within 10 hours of me (eastern Pennsylvania), only 2 shows offer any jumping classes at all (NY state, about 5 hours each way). I have been googling, emailing, and looking at show bills for DAYS, and short of shipping to Venice, Florida for the Fox Lea stuff, I have found a total of the two in NY to attend.

The second issue is that 3 horses must compete for points to count, so it would be helpful to find out which shows that offer jumping actually have people show up. When I went to Congress, there were only 8 of us total, so I am aware that it’s not a popular division.

Any insight would be helpful. Obviously I am happy to travel, but I am hoping that maybe there are some on the east coast that I am missing.

[cutter99]

Have you tried looking on the AQHA website? Another option is to talk to the trainers in your area, who show AQHA shows, to see if they have clients showing that class and where they are showing.

[Toblersmom]

I assume there’s no cross recognition of USEF rated hunter/jumper shows? Might be worth looking into to make sure.

[jvanrens]

@Toblersmom

I assume there’s no cross recognition of USEF rated hunter/jumper shows? Might be worth looking into to make sure.

No point in looking into it. AQHA doesn’t do that in anything other than dressage.

[painthunter]

Will AQHA not do a variance if shows offering the class are not offered in your zone, or don’t run due to entries? APHA does (I’m running up against the same issue with them for Working Hunter), but I’m not even remotely familiar with Quarter Horse rules.

[sandsarita]

I know it’s s long ways away but redbud at the Okc fairgrounds usually has jumpers. We also made a 2 pt open jumper class at gateway/boystown which is in St. Louis over Memorial Day.

You might get in contact with the furlongs in Mexico ny. They do the aqha hunters and might have an idea

[sahqueen]

As you’ve discovered both the NYSQHA shows (16 total judges) and ESQHA shows (12-13? Judges) have open jumper classes…Spring Fling shows in Hamburg has 8 total judges, Candy Apple Classic in Hamburg has 5 judges and both offer Open Jumping…pretty sure NYSBHA, Erie County Fair and NYS Fair do as well but you’d have to check prize lists…over 40 times the class is offered in NYS so with some coordination you should be able to get the numbers to have at least a half point class a few of these weekends…but you may have to work with your fellow exhibitor’s and be willing to help make numbers in other classes.

[sahqueen]

@painthunter

Will AQHA not do a variance if shows offering the class are not offered in your zone, or don’t run due to entries? APHA does (I’m running up against the same issue with them for Working Hunter), but I’m not even remotely familiar with Quarter Horse rules.

There is no alternate way to qualify in the Open division for the World Show for AQHA…you have to get the points needed for that class during the qualifying period. In some events like jumping or pleasure driving it can be a challenge depending on your location.

[spotnnotfarm]

Do the shows near you offer any type of hunters? If so, petition the show manager to offer open jumping? Most of the time they are accommodating. Then sweet talk 2 barn mates or hunter riders to enter the class. To get .5 points you only need three in the class and to win under 1 judge (if it is a multiple judged class) most exhibitors are happy to help by entering classes to help you get points. We once had a WP rider enter reining so the amount of points could be larger. It was funny to watch.

[Bluey]

@spotnnotfarm

Do the shows near you offer any type of hunters? If so, petition the show manager to offer open jumping? Most of the time they are accommodating. Then sweet talk 2 barn mates or hunter riders to enter the class. To get .5 points you only need three in the class and to win under 1 judge (if it is a multiple judged class) most exhibitors are happy to help by entering classes to help you get points. We once had a WP rider enter reining so the amount of points could be larger. It was funny to watch.

Just be aware someone else may win that class after all.

Happens regularly, someone asking others to fill a class and then someone else won it.
Happened to me, only ever western pleasure class I entered, to help someone else and won.
Oooops.

Do ask at several shows and don’t make mistakes.

[js]

@spotnnotfarm

Do the shows near you offer any type of hunters? If so, petition the show manager to offer open jumping? Most of the time they are accommodating. Then sweet talk 2 barn mates or hunter riders to enter the class. To get .5 points you only need three in the class and to win under 1 judge (if it is a multiple judged class) most exhibitors are happy to help by entering classes to help you get points. We once had a WP rider enter reining so the amount of points could be larger. It was funny to watch.

It’s illegal to pad classes in the AQHA, that can get you banned from the AQHA.

It can be very difficult to earn points when you are only getting 1/4 point for a win because there was only the minimum entries. If 8 points are required that can be a lot of shows that you have to win, or a lot of shows with very big classes so 2nd or 3rd also get points or multiple judges. Hard to find all those aspects in some areas of the country.

[Bluey]

@js

It’s illegal to pad classes in the AQHA, that can get you banned from the AQHA.

It can be very difficult to earn points when you are only getting 1/4 point for a win because there was only the minimum entries. If 8 points are required that can be a lot of shows that you have to win, or a lot of shows with very big classes so 2nd or 3rd also get points or multiple judges. Hard to find all those aspects in some areas of the country.

My story happened 45 years ago.
I have never heard it is illegal to ask other competitors to help fill a class?

Guess I need to read the rule book a little closer?

[sahqueen]

@js

It’s illegal to pad classes in the AQHA, that can get you banned from the AQHA.

It can be very difficult to earn points when you are only getting 1/4 point for a win because there was only the minimum entries. If 8 points are required that can be a lot of shows that you have to win, or a lot of shows with very big classes so 2nd or 3rd also get points or multiple judges. Hard to find all those aspects in some areas of the country.

Points are not awarded in 1/4 point increments…3-4 in a class first gets 1/2 point, 5-9 first gets 1 point, second 1/2, etc. Only .5 point needed to quality (not 8), and many times classes are double or triple judged so you would earn points under each judge…of course in jumping the results would be the same under all the judges so truly would be winner takes all.

And yes it is illegal to pad classes, but often if asked exhibitor’s are willing to help each other out to make the numbers…as long as you’re not paying someone else’s entry fees to go in that class and the “extra” horses are legitimate entries (i.e. Not taking a wp horse in working Hunter) there’s nothing wrong with it…and as said above, sometimes those doing the favor end up taking the win.

[js]

@sahqueen

Points are not awarded in 1/4 point increments…3-4 in a class first gets 1/2 point, 5-9 first gets 1 point, second 1/2, etc. Only .5 point needed to quality (not 8), and many times classes are double or triple judged so you would earn points under each judge…of course in jumping the results would be the same under all the judges so truly would be winner takes all.

And yes it is illegal to pad classes, but often if asked exhibitor’s are willing to help each other out to make the numbers…as long as you’re not paying someone else’s entry fees to go in that class and the “extra” horses are legitimate entries (i.e. Not taking a wp horse in working Hunter) there’s nothing wrong with it…and as said above, sometimes those doing the favor end up taking the win.

Tells you how long it’s been since I’ve show. They did at one time award 1/4 points, I know because that is what I earned for a win in a halter class.

I didn’t state that open jumping required 8 points to qualify, just making a point that it can take several shows to get enough points depending on what is required to qualify.

[sahqueen]

@js

I didn’t state that open jumping required 8 points to qualify, just making a point that it can take several shows to get enough points depending on what is required to qualify.

I live in NYS and am on the NYSQHA board…if the OP gets in contact with the many barns that do the fence classes I’m sure she can get a few of the 40+ times the class is offered to get 3 entries and get that .5 point…will take a little pre-planning but can be done…in past years there have been several WS qualifiers in that event doing just these shows and not having to travel to Florida.

[spotnnotfarm]

@js

It’s illegal to pad classes in the AQHA, that can get you banned from the AQHA.

It can be very difficult to earn points when you are only getting 1/4 point for a win because there was only the minimum entries. If 8 points are required that can be a lot of shows that you have to win, or a lot of shows with very big classes so 2nd or 3rd also get points or multiple judges. Hard to find all those aspects in some areas of the country.

Happens regulaly to help make the classes worth more points. There is nothing wrong with it as long as everyone is given an equal shot.

[spotnnotfarm]

@Bluey

Just be aware someone else may win that class after all.

Happens regularly, someone asking others to fill a class and then someone else won it.
Happened to me, only ever western pleasure class I entered, to help someone else and won.
Oooops.

Do ask at several shows and don’t make mistakes.

In my example of the wp horse entering reining, I overspun so was effectively DQ’d! I was beat in reining by a WP horse! Lol

[fordtraktor]

Hahaha. When I was a youth I qualified my WP horse for the Congress youth team in reining! There weren’t many real reiners in our state and most of them weren’t youths. I wasn’t taking anyone’s spot and it made Congress affordable. We…didn’t do well but we did OK in our non team, normal events.

OP, I don’t know if they still do but there used to be Jumper classes at the Va horse center QH shows and they usually filled enough for the winner to get .5-1 point. Maybe check the numbers from last year or call the show and see what they expect.

[Spotless]

This won’t help you, OP – but I am also amazed at the lack of jumping at breed shows! Was excited to be in our first (APHA) hunter hack class this weekend, got to the show and it was a scratch. Apparently at the last show, a horse broke the standards. Hunter hack. How do you only have four standards?? :uhoh:

[Nuggets]

@Spotless

This won’t help you, OP – but I am also amazed at the lack of jumping at breed shows! Was excited to be in our first (APHA) hunter hack class this weekend, got to the show and it was a scratch. Apparently at the last show, a horse broke the standards. Hunter hack. How do you only have four standards?? :uhoh:

It stinks, I’m thinking of giving up on AQHA and switching to USEF just to have more showing options. I have to drive 5 hours and spend $1000 just to go to an aqha show with over fence classes anymore.