The Arabian horse show world is a wild mix of rhinestones, adrenaline, elegance, and, yes, strategy. For years, I’ve watched talented amateur exhibitors show up with heart, hustle, and beautiful horses only to end up discouraged because the playing field felt wildly uneven.
So I got involved.
When the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) began developing the Amateur Exhibitor Leveling System, I had a front-row seat and a voice in the room. I helped shape what are now known as the Choice and Elite levels, bringing insight from both inside and outside the arena.
This wasn’t just about categories. It was about creating a fairer, more empowering experience for every amateur, no matter where they were in their journey.
Let’s break it down—how this system came to be, what it’s done for the sport, and whether it still makes sense today.
The Problem: Too Much “Amateur,” Not Enough Structure
Once upon a time (pre-leveling), amateur exhibitors were all lumped together—novices, lifers, national champions, and weekend warriors alike. One “amateur” class could have someone showing for the first time against someone with a dozen roses under their belt.
That led to some serious issues:
- 🚫 Discouraged new exhibitors who felt instantly outmatched
- 😬 Unclear divisions that rewarded the most seasoned (or well-funded) amateurs
- 💔 Burnout from those who loved the sport but couldn’t see a path forward
The goal was clear: create a tiered system that reflects experience, fosters progress, and keeps competition healthy.
The Solution: Building the Leveling System from the Ground Up
The Amateur Leveling System introduced a tiered structure based on Achievement Points, which exhibitors earn through placings at AHA-recognized shows.
The primary levels:
- Select – the entry-level space for true amateur newcomers.
- Choice – for those with some success under their belt (hi 👋 I helped build this one!).
- Elite – for the seasoned amateurs who consistently hold their own (also helped shape this one!).
🎉 Bonus: there’s also Primetime for our older exhibitors, and special divisions for Reining competitors like Rookie, Limited, and Intermediate.
Your level is determined by:
- Total Achievement Points (tracked by the AHA)
- Points earned in specific disciplines (Western, Hunt, etc.)
- Points from Youth competition DO count toward adult levels
- And once you’re leveled out—you’re out. (Unless you take a 10+ year break, in which case, welcome back 👋)
A Bit of History: When It All Came Together
Let’s throw it back to:
- 📅 2002 – AHA starts tracking achievement data.
- ⚖️ Early 2010s – Talk of “leveling” starts getting real as class sizes and experience gaps widen.
- 💬 That’s when I got involved—working with AHA committees and stakeholders to help define the middle and top tiers (Choice and Elite) so they would feel both earned and empowering—not punishing.
This system wasn’t built in a vacuum—it was built by people who knew what it felt like to step into the ring and feel invisible. We wanted to change that.
The Results: A More Encouraging Arena
Since its launch, the Leveling System has:
- ✅ Given newer amateurs room to shine
- ✅ Motivated progress with clear milestones
- ✅ Boosted confidence and retention
- ✅ Created structure in a sport that can feel chaotic at times
For years, it worked exactly as intended. Exhibitors knew where they belonged, goals felt achievable, and class sizes in “Select” grew with excitement.
But Now… Are the Levels Still Serving Us?
Let’s be real—the show landscape in 2025 looks very different from when we designed this system.
Class sizes are shrinking across the country. Many disciplines are lucky to fill one amateur class, let alone three. And at most shows, the “Elite” level feels more like a ghost town than a competitive pinnacle.
So the question becomes:
Is the full leveling system still relevant? Especially the upper tiers?
Some thoughts:
- 👻 Elite-level classes are underpopulated, leaving exhibitors feeling isolated instead of celebrated.
- 🔄 Some Choice riders feel stuck—too good for Select, not enough people to compete against in Elite.
- 🧩 Regionals often struggle to fill any level-based classes (even Select in some divisions), which leads to combining them—defeating the purpose.
- 😓 The system adds complexity for new exhibitors who just want to show and have fun.
There’s still massive value in giving beginners a safe and fair place to start (Select is absolutely still needed). But maybe it’s time to rethink the rest.
Could we:
- Merge Choice and Elite into one high-level Amateur division?
- Add more flexibility somehow?
- Give shows the power to adjust based on turnout without violating point rules?
I don’t have the perfect solution—but I do think it’s time for a conversation.
Silhouette Arabians 