What does 'A show' mean to you?

[snaffle635]

There are all types of people who post here...those going to USHJA shows, 4H, Quarter Horse, locals, etc.

The term A gets used a lot. What does it mean to you?

When I think of 'A shows', I think USHJA. Are there 'A shows' in other organizations?

[SprinklerBandit]

What does an A show mean to me?

$$$$

Seriously, though, I believe there are guidelines in the USEF rule book. I think prize money amounts determine the rating... correct me if I'm wrong.

[Addison]

The USEF rule book sets forth very specific criteria regarding C, B A and AA ratings. To me an A show does mean more money all around. It also usually means better competition.

[wesierobb]

It is a rating given to USEF approved horse shows. AA is the top rating, and the major deal there is the amount of prize money in the hunters. A single A show has a few minor differences in requirements for classes, and far less requirement in prize money.

[Wizard of Oz's]

I just go by whatever it says on the prizelist;)

[ThatScaryChick]

Stronger competition, bigger prize money offered, higher entry fees.

[DMK]

a usef/ushja sanctioned show with an a or aa rating? nothing more, nothing less.

oh yeah, and all your zone divisions are still C rated no matter what. but hopefully the competition will be a bit tougher in the c rated division held at an A/AA show, versus a C or B show. or not. it still depends on who shows up.

[FAW]

Your going up against good riders and horses, tough judging where mistakes will hurt you and take you out of the ribbons. Basically, your going up against the best of the best.

[snaffle635]

Some of you have misunderstood my question. Perhaps I should re-phrase.

Despite what the usef rules are, when you hear "A show", what pops into your head? USHJA, AQHA, something else?

I always think USHJA. So, when someone asks a question about an A show and another person posts an answer talking about AQHA World, it confuses me. Does the AQHA have the same rating system as USHJA? Is it governed by USEF?

[Hunter/JumperMom]

Since you posted in the hunter/jumper forum, I assumed you were talking about USHJA? I am not really understanding your question. I am sure each discipline has different ratings, whether it be dressage, eventing, AQHA, or whatever, so I think it depends on who your talking too.

Now because of my ignorance to the AQHA, do they show under USHJA rules, or is it an entirely different organization?

[LetsRide]

Some of you have misunderstood my question. Perhaps I should re-phrase.

Despite what the usef rules are, when you hear "A show", what pops into your head? USHJA, AQHA, something else?

I always think USHJA. So, when someone asks a question about an A show and another person posts an answer talking about AQHA World, it confuses me. Does the AQHA have the same rating system as USHJA? Is it governed by USEF?

On THIS board in THIS context I always assume USEF/USHJA A or AA.

No. The AQHA does not rate it's shows the same way the USEF or the USHJA does. No. The AQHA is NOT governed by the USEF/USHJA.

However there are other 'breed' shows such as Morgans and Arabians that are USEF sanctioned and therefor may be 'A rated'. ;)

Back when there was the AHSA there used to be A rated open WESTERN horse shows that were a really big deal on the West coast. The era of 'Horses' magazine.

:)

[Across Sicily]

If I hear 'A Circuit' I think of h/j. If I hear 'A show' I think of Morgans (as they are my chosen breed). Depends on who's saying it though.

[ReSomething]

Some of you have misunderstood my question. Perhaps I should re-phrase.

Despite what the usef rules are, when you hear "A show", what pops into your head? USHJA, AQHA, something else?

I always think USHJA. So, when someone asks a question about an A show and another person posts an answer talking about AQHA World, it confuses me. Does the AQHA have the same rating system as USHJA? Is it governed by USEF?

When I read about A shows here on the H/J forum I think of USEF H/J shows. Big shows that count toward regional hi points that count toward national HOTY type stuff. Horse Park shows.

Now, in this state there are all kinds of breed shows and horse show associations for ASB, TWH, etc, the fair circuit etc, so the shows advertise as being A shows (up to AAAAA) and have premiums, and to make it even more confusing some shows have multiple affiliations including USEF. The pro vs ammy thing is there, but defined differently, depending on which association is running the show. The show directory I have in my hand states "shall abide by the following USA Equestrian ruling . . ." which might not even be USEF for all I know, and reads as though the bo's bookeeper could be an ammy. Just no trainers.

So if someone asks questions about rated shows, I let somebody like Janet answer, cause all I know is that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

[Sunny Side Up]

To the real question; I ALWAYS think of USHJA shows..never really breed shows (if thats the correct term) or anything.

[LetsRide]

I know virtually nothing about the rating or ranking system of 4-H shows. Do they have 4-H 'A' rated shows? :confused:

[LexInVA]

I know vitually nothing about the rating or ranking system of 4-H shows. Do they have 4-H 'A' rated shows? :confused:

There is neither a rating or ranking system in the sense that it is comparable to the system used by the USEF or USHJA but there are competitive rankings for those who compete in the multi-extension 4H shows that lead to the national 4H horse competitions.

[Seven-up]

An A show is a USEF A-rated show. That's as complicated as I allow it to get.:winkgrin:

[Janet]

Some of you have misunderstood my question. Perhaps I should re-phrase.

Despite what the usef rules are, when you hear "A show", what pops into your head? USHJA, AQHA, something else?

I always think USHJA. So, when someone asks a question about an A show and another person posts an answer talking about AQHA World, it confuses me. Does the AQHA have the same rating system as USHJA? Is it governed by USEF?
The ratings are determined by USEF rules, not USHJA.

AQHA is not part of USEF. so USEF ratings are not relevant to AQHA.

The ratings are defined in USEF GR313 , and apply to
Hunters
Jumpers
Andulusians
Arabian
Hackney
Friesian
Morgan
National Show Horse
Roadster
Saddlebred
Welsh
Western

The specs are (obviously) different for each discipline.

Neither Dressage nor Eventing use A, B, C ratings.

[snaffle635]

Since you posted in the hunter/jumper forum, I assumed you were talking about USHJA? I am not really understanding your question. I am sure each discipline has different ratings, whether it be dressage, eventing, AQHA, or whatever, so I think it depends on who your talking too.

Now because of my ignorance to the AQHA, do they show under USHJA rules, or is it an entirely different organization?

That was really my point. I, too, think USHJA because this is a COTH forum - and COTH magazine covers USHJA shows, not breed shows. But I've seen posts on this forum where someone asks a question about A shows and someone answers about AQHA shows.

I think I get it now.

[DMK]

The ratings are determined by USEF rules, not USHJA.

AQHA is not part of USEF. so USEF ratings are not relevant to AQHA.

however there is nothing to stop any tom, dick and harry - or other organization with no ties to usef - from using those letters to rank their shows, hence the confusion.

i don't know how aqha ranks/rates their shows, but for sure some state/regional h/j organizations use the a-c system for their local shows.

[HobbyHorse101]

AQHA and APHA rank their shows like this-
Local
Regional
Congress
World

Then there are shows like Redbud (AQHA) and Paint Vegas which are very similar to an A show.

[Vandy]

however there is nothing to stop any tom, dick and harry - or other organization with no ties to usef - from using those letters to rank their shows, hence the confusion.

i don't know how aqha ranks/rates their shows, but for sure some state/regional h/j organizations use the a-c system for their local shows.Good point...it's also not uncommon to see a prize list that says both "USEF B RATED and (insert local org name here)HUNTER-JUMPER ASSOCIATION AA RATED".

Personally, I think of an A show as one that's given an A or AA rating by USEF, as I don't do the breed show thing.

[InWhyCee Redux]

Your going up against good riders and horses, tough judging where mistakes will hurt you and take you out of the ribbons. Basically, your going up against the best of the best.

But, of course, anyone with the entry fee could conceivably enter and ride — correct me if I am wrong, but A shows do not require to demonstrate any ability whatsoever. ; )

PS: NO OFFENSE to the OP; of course you will see a number of the best riders at any A shows, but to say they attract only the best riders is, IMHO, naive.

[findeight]

I always assume USEF/USHJA A or AA.


Back when there was the AHSA there used to be A rated open WESTERN horse shows that were a really big deal on the West coast. The era of 'Horses' magazine.
:)

I SHOWED at these. The old Indio with the camels and ostriches. Del Mar at the track when you could ride on the beach, Santa Barbara Flower Show. Even showed at the old LA Forum at a show for the City of Hope. Western. Those were the days...

Anyway, I can understand what prompted the question. We have some real apples and oranges questions about events at shows here, all spoken of as "rated" or even "A".

To me it means it has the A rating from USEF/USHJA because it offers more divisions and more money according to a national standard. Lesser ratings offer lesser prize money and fewer nationally rated divisions. Unrateds under a USHJA affiliate organization are really more on the schooling show level and can vary-plus the points do not go to zone or national tallies.

Then you get the unrated classes at rated show issues governed by local rules, not national ones. Locals under the USHJA affiliates do not always follow the same standards (carded judges, vet and farrier on site, steward are not required). So it can get confusing.

But the terms "A show" and "Rated show" seem to be getting applied too freely to shows that are niether.

[RugBug]

Some of you have misunderstood my question. Perhaps I should re-phrase.

Despite what the usef rules are, when you hear "A show", what pops into your head? USHJA, AQHA, something else?

I always think USHJA. So, when someone asks a question about an A show and another person posts an answer talking about AQHA World, it confuses me. Does the AQHA have the same rating system as USHJA? Is it governed by USEF?

I totally understand your question. Even right now there is a thread about showing your 'A circuit QH or appendix' and there are a lot of pictures of horses with 'this was at Congress, World's or AQHA shows, etc. Those may be big shows with nice horses but it's not the same thing as an A circuit show. When I read a thread title like that, I think the OP wants to see horses that are showing up to A/AA standards, not showing up to AQHA standards. While we all love to show off our horses, it's hard to tell if posters don't know there is a difference or just want to post pictures of their horses.

[Janet]

I totally understand your question. Even right now there is a thread about showing your 'A circuit QH or appendix' and there are a lot of pictures of horses with 'this was at Congress, World's or AQHA shows, etc. Those may be big shows with nice horses but it's not the same thing as an A circuit show. When I read a thread title like that, I think the OP wants to see horses that are showing up to A/AA standards, not showing up to AQHA standards. While we all love to show off our horses, it's hard to tell if posters don't know there is a difference or just want to post pictures of their horses.
Exactly.

I assumed the thread referred to was asking for pictures of QH (or Appendix) showing in A or AA rated hunter divisions at USEF shows.
Preferably PLACING at A or AA rated hunter divisions at USEF shows.

Note that Adult Amateur and Chidren's Hunters are never A or AA rated (always C rated). So, to me "A rated hunters" means a rated division (Green, Conf, Open, Jr, A/O)

[snaffle635]

Janet and RugBug - that is the reason I posted this question. But I learned a lot in the responses...other shows have similar ratings.

And I, too, have been guilty of the saying I'm competing at an A rated show when I'm truly at a C level competition in the Amateur Adults. Will try to be a bit more accurate myself. :-)

[RugBug]

And I, too, have been guilty of the saying I'm competing at an A rated show when I'm truly at a C level competition in the Amateur Adults. Will try to be a bit more accurate myself. :-)

See, I think doing the C-rated Adults at a show with A/AA rated divisions is different than doing the C-rated Adults at a show where that is the highest rated division. :yes: The level of competition is totally different, so a comment like yours doesn't bother me at all.