The AHJA membership and pointing year shall be from December 1 through November 30. Membership shall be due and payable on December 1 each year for the following year.  Membership is open to all interested parties except those Parties who are suspended by the National Federation (United States Equestrian Federation).

1. Accrue points in AHJA Category 2 AHJA Medal Classes
2. Compete for Category 2 Year End Awards
3. Serve as a Member of the Board of Directors
4. Eligible for consideration for Affiliate classes at the USHJA National Championship
5. Eligible to apply for AHJA Scholarship 

1. If an exhibitor wishes to join AHJA or record a horse at a show, they must submit a completed application by joining on the AHJA website.  The points for the show ewill be counted towards Year End Awards and Medal Finals Qualification.  There will be no paper memberships available.
2. If an exhibitor decides to join AHJA after the conclusion of the show, they must join with 10 working days of the conclusion of the show for points to be retroactively counted.

1. For points to count in hunter and jumper divisions, each horse must be Recorded with AHJA.
2. At least 1 owner must be an AHJA member and that owner must appear on the official entry blank.
3. An official lease filed with either AHJA or USEF shall be construed as legal ownership except in the case of Amateur Owners.
4. The horse must be exhibited under the same name and ownership that appears on the recording form.
5. Horse recordings are $20 for an Annual and $50 Lifetime Recording.
6. Horses need not be recorded in order for Medal or Equitation points to Count. Only the rider must be a member.

1.6a Changes of a Horse Name must be reported to AHJA within 10 working days of the conclusion of the show. Name changes must be on the appropriate form. There is a $10 for changing the name of a recorded horse.  This fee must accompany the name change application.

1.6b A transfer of ownership must be recorded with AHJA. If both the previous owner and the new owner are current AHJA members, all points will transfer to the new owner of record. If the new owner is not a a member of AHJA, all accruied points shall remain in the name of the previous owner.  There is a $10 fee for an owner change.

1.6c The change of name of a member must be recorded with AHJA within 10 working days of the close of a horse show. There is no charge for a member name change.

1. Category 1: Application must be received 60 days prior to the start of the competition. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, late approval forms may be accepted and shows approved for a fee of up to $200.
2. Category 2: Application must be received 30 days prior to the start of the competition. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, late approval forms may be accepted and shows approved for a fee of up to $100.
3. All show applications may be mailed, emailed or faxed to the address shown on the application form. Shows are encouraged to submit applications early in order to be listed on the AHJA Calendar.
4. There is no application fee or show approval fee.
5. AHJA reserves the right to reject any application for any reason, if by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, such action is deemed in the best interest of the exhibitors and/or the association.

The show secretary is responsible for:

1. Complete the Post Competition Show Report Form and mail with results, membership forms and horse recordings to AHJA point secretary.
2. Compile and send results of the show (Results must include Horse Name, Rider Name, Owner Name, placings through 6th in all classes and through 12th in Classsics and Grand Prix's, and money won in jumper classes. Results must be submitted in AHJA approved format (see website for proper form). If submitted in any other format, a $25/day processing fee will be charged.
3. Submit a numerical list of entries
4. Items 1-3 above must be received by the AHJA Point Secretary within 10 working days of the completion of the competition.
5. Maintain all show records, class sheets, judges' card and results from the show for a period of 1 year to ensure proper pointing. These records should be immediately available to the AHJA point secretary during this time should a question arise.

 The following hunter divisions will be pointed as per USEF Rules

Green 3'

Green 3'3"

Green 3'6"/3'9"

Performance Hunter 3'3"

Performance Hunter 3'6"

High Performance

Junior Hunter 3'6"

Amateur Owner 3'6"

Junior Hunter 3'3"

Amateur Owner 3'3"

Pony Hunter

Young Hunter 5, 6, 7

The following hunter divisions will be pointed as Zone rated divisions as per USEF Rules:

Low Childrens Hunter

Children's Hunter 14 & Under

Children's Hunter 15-17

Low Adult Hunter

Adult Amateur 18-35

Adult Amateur 36 & Over

Children's Pony Hunter

Hunter Breeding: Yearling, Two Year Old, Three Year Old

The following hunter divisions are local and will be pointed as a USEF local show:

Short Stirrup Hunters: Open to rider 17 and under. Riders may not have shown over fences that exceed 2'3" at any time. No cross entry into any class that exceeds 2'3".  No oxers or combinations. Fences 2'0". Outreach Short Stirrup shall accrue points here.

Long Stirrup Hunter: Open to adult riders 18 & over. Riders may not have shown over fences that exceed 2'3" at any time. No cross entry into any class that exceeds 2'3". No oxers or combinations. Fences 2'0". Outreach Long Stirrup shall accrue points here.

Beginner Rider Hunter: Open to riders who have never shown over fences that exceed 2'6". Riders may not cross enter into any classes where fences exceed 2'6". No oxers or combinations. Fences 2'3". Outreach Beginner Rider will accrue points here.

Modified/Child/Adult Hunter: Open to all junior and amateur riders. No cross entry restrictions. Outreach Modified Child/Adult will accrue points here.. Fences 2'9".

All equitation, flat and fences, are combined for year end awards. Riders must be AHJA members in good standing to accrue points. Horses need not be recorded with AHJA. Horse owners need not be members of AHJA. All equitation classes will be pointed as a "C" member show: 15, 10, 5, 4, 3, 2.  Distances will not be adjusted for ponies. USEF Rules apply for Equitation tests.

Equitation 11 and under: Fences 2'6"

Equitation 12-14: Fences 3'0"

Equitation 15-17: Fences 3'0 - 3'3".  This class is required to be offered at 2 fence heights: 3'0" and 3'3". Riders must stipulate prior to the class which fence height they choose to jump.  Distances need not be adjusted for each fence height. Fence heights will be judged as one class. No rider may compete in more than one(1) fence height in a single class.  Riders MAY compete in different fence heights in different classes. 

Equitation 18-35: Fences 3'0"

Equitation 36 and over: Fences 3'0"

Short Stirrup Equitation: Riders under 18. Tests 1-5. Same rider restrictions as Short Stirrup Hunters. No Oxers, No combinations. Fences 2'0.

Long Stirrup Equitation: 18 and over. Tests 1-5. Same rider restrictions as Long Stirrup Hunters. No Oxers, No combinations. Fences 2'0.

Beginner Rider Equitation: Same rider restrictions as Beginner Rider Hunters. No Oxers, No combinations. Fences 2'3.

Low Children's Equitation: Same rider restrictions as Low Children's Hunter. No Oxers, No combinations. Fences 2'6.

Low Adult Equitation: Same rider restrictions as Low Adult Hunters. No Oxers, No combinations. Fences 2'6.

Modified Child/Adult Equitation: Tests 1-10. Fences 2'9.

Pony Equitation: As per USEF Rules.

Children's Pony Equitation: As per Zone 8 USEF Rules. Small/Medium 2'3", Large 2'6"

AHJA Category 1 approved horse shows must offer the 5 AHJA Medal classes.  In all AHJA Medal classes there is no minimum number of riders required to hold the class.  Full points will be given in any class where three (3) or more competitors compete. To determine the number of riders in the class, riders must enter the arena and attempt the first jump.  In the event that only two riders compete, first place shall receive 1 point and second place shall receive .5 point. In the event that only one rider competes, upon completion of the class, that rider shall receive .5 points. In the event that only 1 or 2 riders complete the course, there will be no work-off and the class will be pinned.  Full points will count. If more than 2 riders complete the course, a minimum of 3 riders will return for further testing. Riders in AHJA Medal classes need not be AHJA Members, however only current AHJA members whose trainer of record is an AHJA member in good standing will accrue points toward Finals competition. 

Points are awarded: 1st=10, 2nd=6, 3rd=4, 5th=1, 6th=1/2.

1. AHJA Mini Medal: Open to all juniors and Amateurs who have never competed over fences above 2'9" or .85 meter at Regular Member USEF Horse Shows. To be shown over a course of not less than 8 fences not to exceed 2'6" in height. USEF Tests 1-8. No combinations. Distances will not be adjusted for ponies.
2. AHJA Children's Medal: Open to junior riders who have not competed over fences higher than 3'3" (Hunters and Equitation) or 1.0 meter (jumpers) during the current show year at USEF Regular Member Horse Shows. The course must include one combination, two changes of direction, a single oxer and a minimum of 8 fences.  Two or more tests are required of the top 4 competitors. USEF Tests 1-17. Fence 3'0".
3. AHJA Adult Medal: Open to adult amateur riders. Specifications are the same as the AHJA Children's Medal.
4. AHJA Junior Amateur Medal: Open to all Junior and Amateur riders. Riders competing in this class may not compete in any other AHJA Medal at the same show.  Two or more tests are required of the top 4 competitors. To be shown over a course of not less than eight (8) jumps at 3'3" in height.  The course must include a combination (including an oxer), 2 changes of direction after the first fence and a single oxer. USEF Tests 1-19. In addition, the course must include at least one of the following:
   1. Roll back turn
   2. End fence
   3. Broken line
   4. Narrow jump
   5. Natural obstacle (water obstacles are prohibited).

1. Riders must be current Category 1 AHJA members.
2. Riders competing in any Medal Final must be entered in the Show office by 5:00 PM the evening prior to the class. No entries on the day of the class are accepted.
3. The trainer of each rider competing in AHJA Medal Finals classes must be an AHJA member in good standing.
4. Riders must have accrued a minimum of 2 (two) points.
5. Points will be posted on www.AHJA.org in a timely manner. It is the responsibility of the rider to make sure points are accurate.
6. Riders will not lose the Medals Finals eligibility if they compete at a higher height after they have qualified, except as noted. The following conditions apply:
   1. Mini Medal Finals: After qualifying, riders may compete up to and including .9 meter in the jumper ring and 3'0" in the hunter or equitation ring at USEF shows.  If a rider competes above that level, the rider will forfeit their eligibility for the Finals in the Mini Medal Final.
   2. Children's and Adult Medal Finals: After qualifying, riders may compete up to and including 1.0 meter in the jumper ring and 3'3" in the hunter and equitation ring at USEF shows. If a rider competes above that level, the rider will forfeit their eligibility for the Finals in the Children's or Adult Medal Final.
   3. Junior Amateur Medal Finals: No restrictions.
7. All Category 1 Medal Finals shall consist of at least two rounds over fences.
8. In all Medal Finals (Category 1 and 2), two or more tests of the top four competitors are required only if the top competitors’ total scores are within 4 points of each other. It is up to the judge if further testing is required of riders outside the four point margin. 
9. If any Medal Final Class has more than 12 competitors, only the top 12 shall return for the second round. Tied riders in the 12th position shall return. Riders with a score of ZERO score in the first round may return for the second round if they are still among the top 12 riders returning.
10. If a rider qualifies for more than one Final, that rider must compete at the highest height for which they are qualified.
11. The format and location of the Medal Finals shall be determined each year by the AHJA Board of Directors.
12. There must be a minimum of 6 entered riders in any Medal Final. Any Medal Final with less than six riders entered will be combined or cancelled.

Shows may offer any or all of the below listed sections.  Shows MUST offer both the Children's and Adult Category 2 Medals.  Category 2 shows may offer any or all of the Category 1 Medals.  It is advised that if a show offers the Category 1 Medals, that a start time be posted in the schedule for these classes. Please note that the same horse may be used by two different riders in the same class over fences in both hunter and equitation (Exception: one rider per horse in all Medal classes and the Cat 2 Jumper Classes.) The horse must be assigned a different number for each horse/rider combination.

Each year, the AHJA Board of Directors will determine if an AHJA Category 2 Medal Finals will be offered. If a Finals is offered, the following rules will apply. 

1. The trainer of each rider competing must be either an AHJA Category 1 or 2 member in good standing.

2. All riders must be either Category 1 or Category 2 members.

3. Any rider who has ever competed in any Category 1 Medal Finals, National Medal Finals, Regional or Zone Medal Finals is ineligible to compete in a AHJA Category 2 Medal Finals.

4. Each year, the AHJA Board of directors shall determine the location and format of the Category 2 Medal Finals. Should the Category 2 Medal Finals be held after November 30, all riders will retain the status they had during the qualifying period.

5. Judge(s) for Category 2 Medal Finals must be approved by the current AHJA Board of Directors and must be licensed with a minimum of a USEF “r” judge’s card in Hunter Seat Equitation or specially approved by the AHJA Board of Directors.

6. Riders must accrue 6 points in qualifying classes to be eligible for the Category 2 Medals Finals.

AHJA will offer 3 levels of AHJA Jumpers. All AHJA Jumper classes are prohibited from running classes using Table III or Table II, Sections 1,4,5,6,7.

All shows are encouraged to use Table II, Sec 2b, Table II, Sec 2c (with or without time allowed in the first round) or Table II, Sec 2d. AHJA advises that all courses be designed to encourage correct riding and discourage extreme speed.

In all AHJA jumper classes, the horse may only compete once. Multiple riders on the same horse are not allowed in the same class. A different rider may ride the same horse in different jumper classes.

AHJA Jumper Low: Fences 2’3’- 2’6” Open to any horse/rider combination. The same horse/rider combination is prohibited from jumping above 2’9” in any class at the same show. Combinations (in and outs) are not allowed. Outreach 0.70 meter will accrue points here.

AHJA Jumper Medium: Fences 2’7”- 2’9” Open to any horse/rider combination. The same horse/rider combination is prohibited from jumping above 3’0” in any class at the same show. Combinations (in and outs) are not allowed. Outreach 0.80 meter will accrue points here.

AHJA Jumper High: Fences 2’10”- 3’0” Open to any horse/rider combination with no restrictions. Combinations are allowed but will not be adjusted for ponies. The course must include at least 2 oxers in the first round. Outreach 0.90 meter will accrue points here.

All classes (including Medals) at AHJA Category II horse shows shall receive the points listed below. No other classes (Classics or Specials) other than those listed by AHJA shall receive points. There are no bonus point classes.

Points will be updated in a timely manner and will be posted on the AHJA website. Exhibitors will have 30 days from the upload of the point bulletin to notify the point secretary, in writing, of any discrepancies. After 30 days, no discrepancy will be addressed and the points will stand as posted regardless of the validity of the discrepancy. It is the duty of the exhibitor to check on their points. Exception: After the final show of the pointed year and prior to the awards banquet, AHJA reserves the right to issue a final point standing and declare a shorter time in which to file discrepancies.

All divisions listed in this rule book are eligible for AHJA Year End Awards. AHJA reserves the right to combine divisions (where possible) if there are less than 3 pointed horses or riders in each division. AHJA reserves the right to not make awards in divisions with less than 3 horses or riders. 

6.3a Category 1: Horses must be recorded (either Annual or Lifetime recording) with AHJA. At least one owner (listed on the entry blank) must be an AHJA member in good standing.

6.3b Category 2: Horses need not be recorded. The horse/rider combination receives points.

All Perpetual Trophies awarded at the AHJA Banquet must be signed for. Upon the return of the trophy the trophy must be engraved by the recipient, cleaned and returned to AHJA, December 1 prior to the AHJA Banquet.

Any person not returning a Perpetual Trophy shall be subject to a $500 fine and be found not in good standing with AHJA until the trophy is returned or replaced (subject to AHJA approval of  replacement trophy) and the fine paid.

AHJA Hunter of the Year shall be awarded to the Category 1 Hunter receiving the most points in a single USEF recognized division.