NCHA Amateur and Non Pro Divisions

VIEW THE POLL

IDEA: Combination of the current NCHA Amateur and Non Pro divisions.

AUTHOR: Bronc Willoughby, incoming NCHA President

WHY: "for years we have excluded a significant number of potential NCHA cutters by forcing them to compete in classes that they shouldn't have to. We exclude cutters from the lower level weekend and the Limited Age event classes because of their past employment or family relationship. They don't qualify for Amateur status under the current NCHA Non-Professional and Amateur rules."

To All NCHA Members,

    As your incoming president, I believe that for years we have excluded a significant number of potential NCHA cutters by forcing them to compete in classes that they shouldn't have to. We exclude cutters from the lower level weekend and the Limited Age event classes because of their past employment or family relationship. They don't qualify for Amateur status under the current NCHA Non-Professional and Amateur rules.
    I want to include every person who has a desire to be an NCHA member and cutter. I am proposing that NCHA combine the Non-Pro and Amateur classes into one division and let money earnings determine class eligibility. NCHA determines weekend eligibility by money won, either in the Novice classes or the Non-Pro and Amateur classes. Limited Age event eligibility in the Limited Non-Pro and Amateur class is by money won.
    The simplest and fairest way to determine what classes Non-Pro's are eligible to show in is by money earnings. I believe by doing this, we attract more people who would like to enjoy our great sport.
    Everyone who now holds an Amateur card also holds a Non-Pro card. So all Amateurs are also Non-Pros. Currently, you lose your Amateur status when you have won $50,000 at the weekend or $50,000 at the Limited Age events or any combination exceeding $100,000. The cutters who show well move out of the Amateur classes fairly quickly. Over the last few years, added money has increased in the Amateur classes therefore creating more money to be won, and Amateurs graduate out of the Amateur classes more quickly.
    I am proposing increasing the money limits at the weekend level to $75,000 Non-Pro, $35,000 Non-Pro, $15,000 Non-Pro and $5,000 Limited Rider /any horse. Weekend earnings will be kept separate from Limited Age event earnings. Weekend earnings will determine class eligibility for the Weekend classes. Limited Age earnings will determine class eligibility for the those events.
    By changing the weekend limits and allowing non-pros to compete at a level equivalent to their talent level and money earnings, we will make NCHA grow into an even bigger and better sport.
    My proposal is listed below. I want all NCHA members to see this proposal before the convention. I want comments and feedback from the members.
    Reach me at: 940-894-2120, 940-782-9129 or bo7pgk@wildblue.net. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Thank you for your consideration on this very important issue.
    Bronc Willoughby

    All NCHA members who now hold a Non-Pro or Amateur card will be reclassified as Non-Pros. There will no longer be a distinction between Non-Pro and Amateur status. Class eligibility will be determined by total eligibility money earnings. Weekend and Limited Age event earnings will count separately to determine eligibility. Only weekend eligibility earnings will determine eligibility for weekend shows, and only Limited Age event earnings will determine eligibility for those events.

•    All Non-Pros must qualify under the existing Non-Pro rules.

•    Effective 2009-point year.

•    Proposal to change weekend money limits.

•    Non-Pro – No change. Current rules for added money apply.

•    $75,000 Non-Pro – Added money could be the same as Non-Pro class, but not to exceed Non-Pro. This replaces the $50,000 Amateur.

•    $35,000 Non-Pro – Added money allowed but at no more than 50 percent of what is added in the $75,000 Non-Pro. This replaces the $20,000 Non-Pro.

•    $15,000 Non-Pro – No added money. This replaces with $10,000 Amateur.

•    $5,000 Limit Rider – Any horse, no money added. Rider does not have to own the horse. This replaces the $2,000 Limit Rider class.


 

•    Non-Pro – No change. Current rules for added money will apply.

•    $125,000 Non-Pro/Limited Class – This replaces $200,000 Limited Non-Pro. The $200,000 (eligibility) counted lifetime earnings. The $125,000 is for Limited Age event earnings only.

•    $50,000 Non-Pro Limited class – Entry level class.

•    Added money and entry fee structure will not change from what is currently used.

•    There will be no change to the Novice Horse and the Novice Non-Pro classes.