New to western riding? Here’s your point earning checklist.
- Be a financial member of an affiliated Western Riding Club or Breed Association
- Complete a Points on Computer form for yourself and your horse. The Federation will then allocate you both with lifetime numbers.
- If you wish to compete in points approved Federation shows, order two vinyl numbers for your horse. Remember your own number for completing entry forms for the show.
- New adult riders are eligible to enter rookie, amateur, and open/adult rider and Junior and Senior horse events. If eligible to ride amateur (refer to rules) complete an Amateur Application form annually, after 1 August.
- Order a copy of the latest rule book by emailing the Secretary.
NZWRF points and awards
The Western Riding Federation offers lifetime awards to recognise the achievements of both horses and riders. These awards are gained on the basis of points gained using the following points calculation table.
Lifetime awards
To qualify, a horse must win a class where 6 or more horses competed.
- Register of Merit: 25 points in total, or 25 points in an individual event.
- Champion: 60 points over two events, i.e. 30 points in each or 60 points in an individual event.
- Honour Roll: 100 points over two events, i.e. 50 points in each or 100 points in an individual event.
| Number in class | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th |
| 1-2 | 1 | |||||
| 3-4 | 2 | 1 | ||||
| 5-6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 7-8 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||
| 9-10 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| 11-15 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 16-20 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| 21 + | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
The above awards are available to horses whose riders are current financial members of an affiliated western riding club or financial contributing body such as ApHANZ, PHANZ, AQHANZ or the RVHA (NZ)
Youth awards are available to current financial members of a club or contributing body.
Amateur riders must hold a current NZWRF amateur card.
Awards are available in the following categories:
- Youth Trail
- Youth Western Riding
- Youth Reining Control
- Youth Western Pleasure
- Youth Showmanship
- Youth Horsemanship
- Youth Hunt Seat Equitation
- Youth Working Cowhorse
- Youth Costume
- Youth Bareback Equitation
- Youth Ranch Riding
- Youth Hunter Under Saddle
- Youth Ranch Trail
Extra notes:
There are two age categories in youth
– Junior youth: 13 years and under
– Senior youth: 14 to 18 years
Dates are taken as of the 1st August of that show season
Youth competitors do not have to win a class of 6 or more to be eligible for youth awards.
Rookie
- Rookie Western Pleasure
- Rookie Trail
- Rookie Western Horsemanship
- Rookie Ranch Riding
Extra notes:
Once Rookie competitors have amassed a total of 25 Rookie points, Rookie points will cease to accumulate and that competitor is no longer eligible to compete in any Rookie class after the end of that season. A class of 6 does not have to be won.
Rookie ROM
General Performance – gained once 25 points are attained over a variety of events. Must win a class of 6.
Adult rider
- Adult Western Pleasure
- Adult Hunter Under Saddle
- Adult Trail
- Adult Reining
- Adult Horsemanship
- Adult Hunt Seat Equitation
- Adult Western Riding
- Adult Ranch Riding
- Adult Showmanship at Halter
- Adult Ranch Trail
Horse
- Western Trail
- Western Riding
- Western Pleasure
- Western Reining
- Working Cowhorse
- Hunter Under Saddle
- Hunter Barrel Race
- Flag Race
- Keyhole Race
- Ring Race
- Steer Daubing
- Stake Race
- Ranch Riding Level 1
Extra Notes:
Junior Horse – 5 Years and Under (horses shown in a snaffle bit or hackamore may be ridden with one or two hands.
Senior Horse – 6 years and over (to be ridden with one hand in a curb bit).
Amateur rider
- Amateur Western Pleasure
- Amateur Hunter Under Saddle
- Amateur Trail
- Amateur Reining
- Amateur Horsemanship
- Amateur Hunt Seat Equitation
- Amateur Western Riding
- Amateur Ranch Riding
- Amateur Showmanship at Halter
- Amateur Ranch Trail
Extra Notes:
Amateur is for the non-professional who owns and shows their own horse.
An Amateur rider can start in Novice Amateur but once 50 points are accumulated they move to an Amateur Rider.
Some Associations may hold Select Amateur Classes for riders over 50 years of age.
