Many Pinto enthusiasts continue to show past the age of 18 but are not equine professionals. Each summer and fall, the Pinto Amateurs gather from around the world to compete at the Pinto World Championship® Horse Show and the Color Breed Congress®. Eligibility requirements must be met yearly to obtain and maintain Amateur status.
Leadership opportunities are also available to Amateurs. The Amateur Committee meets annually at the PtHA® Convention to discuss improvements to the Amateur program.
Pinto Amateurs competing in PtHA® approved shows earn points that allow recognition of the Pinto and the Amateur with awards like Register of Merit, Register of Excellence, Legion of Merit, Supreme Champion and Superior Performance. Each year, Amateurs and their Pintos compete against their peers for national awards like Pinto of the Year, Top 10, Zone Top Five, Challenge 20 and overall High Point.
To become a PtHA® Amateur, please fill out a membership application.
NOVICE AMATEUR PROGRAM
The purpose of the Novice Amateur Program is to aid in raising the confidence level of the person who has little or no experience in the show ring or is new to riding/handling horses.
The Novice Amateur Program is open to any PtHA® member who possess a current PtHA® Amateur card and meets all Novice Amateur criteria. A Novice Amateur is a person who has not earned a total of 50 or more points within a category, as defined by PtHA® Novice Amateur rules, within the last 10 years. An Amateur card with a Novice notation will be issued to each person who supplies PtHA® with a signed Eligibility Statement.
NOVICE AMATEUR CLASSES:
Disciplined Rail English
Disciplined Rail Western
English Equitation
English Pleasure
Hunter Hack
Hunter Under Saddle
Ideal Pinto English
Ideal Pinto Western
Showmanship- Eng/West combined
Ranch Horse Trail
Ranch Rail Pleasure
Ranch Riding
Trail
Western Horsemanship
Western Pleasure
Western Riding
Points/Awards:
• Points in the Novice Program do not count toward any PtHA® lifetime awards.
• There will be no ROM’s presented in Novice Amateur classes.
• Novice points will count toward end of the year awards.
AMATEUR WALK/TROT PROGRAM
The purpose of the Walk/Trot program is to aid amateurs who may no longer be able to lope/canter due to physical limitations, build the confidence of amateurs not yet ready to lope/canter, or to build the confidence of a horse who may not be ready to lope/canter.
The Amateur Walk/Trot program is open to all PtHA® members who possess a current PtHA® Amateur card, and meets all Amateur criteria.
An Amateur may not cross-enter into any loping/cantering classes at the same show. Walk/Trot classes are to be judged on the same criteria as any other class. Walk/Trot classes are eligible for ROM points/awards.
The following classes may be offered as Walk/Trot.
AMATEUR WALK/TROT CLASSES:
Barrel Racing
Disciplined Rail English
Disciplined Rail Western
Donkeymanship
English Equitation
English Pleasure
English Showmanship
Flag Race
Hunter Under Saddle
Ideal Pinto English
Ideal Pinto Western
Keyhole Race
Mulemanship
Pole Bending
Western Horsemanship
Stake Race
Trail
Western Pleasure
Western Showmanship
Ranch Riding
Ranch Horse Trail
Ranch Rail Pleasure
PAYBACK IN AMATEUR CLASSES
Weekend high point awards may be paid to Amateurs. PtHA® Amateur members may accept class payback and cash high point awards without jeopardizing PtHA® Amateur status. Individuals are encouraged to check with any other organizations for clarification on how this rule effects Amateur status in that organization.
AMATEUR MASTER'S HALL OF FAME
Amateur Master's Hall of Fame is a way to recognize the PtHAAA members who are taking an active role in the Association. Nominations for the Master's Hall of Fame can be made by the nominee or by another member. Nominations will be due to the PtHA® Headquarters by Sep. 1 of each year. This honor will be awarded at the annual PtHA® Convention.
Please visit the Pinto Heritage Foundation page to apply for the Amateur Master Hall of Fame.
