Family members can show immediate family members horses in the AOs. So when the barn owners kid or wife is an ammy they can show ALL the horses in the AOs. 😦
the whole point of OWNER is to prevent all the catch rides by shamateurs. That takes place in the adults. All the former big eq/division 1 kids catch ride the trainers sale horses in the adults and kick all the real ammys butts. Then they turn pro the second they graduate from college.
Even trainer spouses can show in the A/O.
California (Zone 10j has adult equitation classes and a few medals classes at 3’3” and higher. The CPHA Amateur medal is 3’6” and they jump the same course as the juniors. The WCE medal is also at 3’6” which is junior/amateur. The USEF Adult Equitation class and finals is at 3’3”.
This is why I am firmly for splitting the Younger adults into 18-22 and 23-35 LOL. Im joking, but only kind of.
I think your original post is a good question until I get to this part.
How strict are they about this sounds like - do I have to follow this rule, will they make me - which seems like a strange way to ask about a rule.
The NEHC Adult Finals are usually split something like this. They actually do 18-21, 22-27, 28-45, and 46 & over.
Yes. OP, they are strict. It’s a rule. Please don’t consider cheating.
Did you sell your horse? https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/forum/discussion-forums/hunter-jumper/10670778-stepping-down
Genius idea. Let all those Auburn kids show against each OTHER all summer long and leave us out of it.
Im also for a “working AA/AO” division. Where you have to show a w2 and prove you have a real job and aren’t a professional amateur. 🤣
I’d be all for this. Split the way they do for dressage, so it’s JR/YR up to 21, then you’re an adult after. I enjoy showing in the adult eq and local medals, but I frequently feel like the only one over college age in the class, let alone Older Adult :eek:
I’ve always thought there should be a “cooling off” period of 5 years before the juniors who age out can compete in the amateur eq.
Which is really only about keeping the good ones out though, right? I mean, no one would care if the not good riders came in.
College aged kids are already being pushed out of horse shows because there are so few divisions they can show in. More often than not their horses were sold to help pay for college so they can’t do the A/Os. They can’t do the pro divisions because they have to be in class or at work. These kids are showing in the 3’ Adults and 3’ eq because they don’t have appropriate classes to show in, not because they really enjoy beating older adults and reriders.
No, they need time to get poor and fat and work 60 hours a week at a desk. Gotta level the playing field in the name of good sport.
I respectfully disagree. My information is just as anecdotal as yours, but I’ve seen it in two regions. College kids still have summer break, whereas working amateurs don’t. I am certain there are some college kids that work - but around here the divisions fill with many in that 18-22 range (and they’ve done warmup classes earlier in the week).
I also respectfully disagree. Not only do college kids have summer break, but many of them are riding competitively for IHSA and or NCAA teams. They get access to team weight room, daily workouts, riding, lessons, and practices. They scrimmage or show often during the school year. I also can’t afford an AO horse, and I also work during the week so can’t to the pro classes. But I don’t have access to the training as a division I or II or III athlete year round. I don’t think it’s a “it’s not fair, they are better than us” statement. It’s more of a - college age kids aren’t really the same as, say, your 34 year old working a 60 hour week desk job squeezing in a lesson, maybe two, a week showing against each other. it just seems like two totally different worlds.
But, alas, this has been discussed ad nauseum on this board. I did not mean to hijack, just meant for a light joke. The 20yo auburn kids that come home for the summer beat the pants off me every year and I’m OK with it. Usually. LOL.
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I understand the issue, and I agree there is one! It’s a negative repercussion if the AO rule that isn’t entirely age related. You can’t tell someone they can’t do the 3’3” or the 3’6” because they don’t own the horse and then also say they can’t do the 3’ because they’re over overqualified.
absolutely! And I’m not saying NCAA athlete riders who are still in school shouldn’t show 3’. I think the youngers - ages 18 to 35 - has quite a few college kids who are competitive riders in school showing against us 30 somethings who can’t get saddle time like they do (in school, I know it’s close to daily if not two a days!). Hence my suggestion, in jest, to split 18-22 (the 3’ adults for the college age kids who ride at school for their program) and the 23-35 (post grad new professionals likely trying to find a way to make a job and horses work).
anyways - sorry for the diversion here folks - yes you must own your horse to show in the AOs 
Can someone explain the history and reasoning behind splitting the amateur owner class from the adult amateur one? The rule book says what’s allowed, but doesn’t explain why. Bonus points if you can also explain the modified adult hunter class in relation to the AA and AO
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