So an A/O is an amateur owner, right? So what if I’m an amateur that does not own their horse (say, is catch riding) but wants to show in the 3’3 or 3’6? Is the A/O division seriously only open to those who own their own horses? How strict are they about this…can you show in the A/O’s if your leasing? Does this mean if your an amateur that does not own their horse, they have no choice but to show in 3’ instead?
If you do not own, you cannot show in the a/o division. It is not the amateur/lessee division. You can show in the open divisions if you want to show in the 3’3" or 3’6".
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In order to show in the Amateur Owner division, you must own the horse. If you’re leasing and want to show in Amateur divisions, you must show in the adults or below.
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You can show at 1.0m (3’3”) or 1.10 (3’6”) on a horse you don’t own, but it would be the open divisions which are open to amateurs and pros. The A/O division is specifically for people that own the horse they are riding.
Can’t you show in this division if the lease is on file with USEF?
Absolutely not. A registered lease is not ownership. The rule is very clear.
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Couldn’t she show in the A/A (adult amateur) classes?
Yes
Yes of course. But the OP was asking about showing 3’3" or 3’6" and the A/A classes are typically only 3’. I think WEF used to have an unrecognized A/A division that ran at 3’3", but I haven’t heard anything about it in years.
I didn’t realize that the A/A’s were 3’. Shows how long it’s been since I’ve paid attention. Do the adult equitation classes have a 3’3" or 3’6" option?
No. There really isn’t much in the way of equitation classes once you age out. There is the Ariat Adult medal and I believe the THIS now has an adult section, but that’s about it. Both of those are stand alone classes at 3’.
Yeah to show in the 3’3”+ hunters as an amateur who doesn’t own, you have to show a green horse in the pregreens/1st/2nd or you have to show In the performance hunters which are 3’3 or 3’6”. Only option as an adult who leases or just rides is the AA division! Most zones also have cross entry restrictions for adults (typically I’ve seen can’t show over 3’3” at the same show with exception of, say, a derby).
Although some zones do offer a 3’3 adult hunter, but I’ve never seen it run. Zone 4 has it
https://www.ushja.org/application/files/4515/4524/4800/2019_Zone_4_Specifications.pdf
A long time ago, Zone 9 had a 3’ and 3’3 AA division, but now it’s 3’3 and 3’6 A/O divisions and a 2’9 and 3’ AA. But there are no shows now so I guess we have nothing. 
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I thought so too so I just looked it up. A registered lease means you are the bona fide owner according to USEF except for classes with an Owner designation.
i didn’t know that USEF defines leasers as owners! You learn something new every day. So I guess for any class that doesn’t specifically prohibit leasers as “owners” you could show - like a Local Owner/Rider?
but yes USEF specifically prohibits leases in the A/O divisions - listed in the specs and also lists “multiple owners” as ineligible for the division too (so co-owners or syndicates not eligible as well I suppose!)
GR142. Leased horses are not eligible for any class with Owner in the title.
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I think the reason for the USEF considering a registered leaser as an owner is for signing entry blanks and the responsibilities that come with that (AKA drug testing).
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I remember when it was allowed for you to ride A/O if the horse was owned by an immediate family member. Has that changed?
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No, that is the same.
