National Championship Show May 14-18, 2025, Laze E Arena, Guthrie, Oklahoma
2025 Show Information
For complete show information, visit NRSHA National Show Details.
Qualifying requirements for The National Championship Show
Qualification Dates: March 1 and February 28
Qualification Requirement: Compete at 3 alliance partner shows
Two ways to get invited:
- Riders competing with the same alliance partner 3 times during the qualifying period will automatically receive an invitation to the National Championship Show from their alliance partner.
- Riders showing with a variety of alliance partners (ie. 1 show with AQHA, 2 shows with SHTX) the exhibitor must submit an Attendance Verification Form that documents attendance with each alliance partner. The form is due by March 15 in order to receive an invitation to the NRSHA National Show.
What shows count?
Any alliance partner show that offers the core all-around stock horse
classes (cow work, reining, trail and pleasure/ranch riding) can be
qualifying shows. Check with the alliance partner to verify their qualifying
shows. Events like World Shows, Derbies and other special events may not be
considered qualifying.
Shows that only offer a portion of these classes do not count. For example, an AQHA show offering individual VRH classes but not the All-Around classes are not considered qualifying shows.
What events do I qualify for?
Qualifying is not by event. Competing with an alliance partner show in at
least one class will qualify that horse or horse/rider to compete in all
NRSHA classes within that Category (Open / Amateur / Youth) at the National
Championship Show.
Is qualification on the horse or the horse/rider combination?
Qualification is based on the horse/rider combination for Amateur and Youth
categories. Open qualification is based on the horse. Any rider can show a
qualified horse in the Open division at the National Championship Show.
What division do I qualify for?
7 Divisions are offered: Open, Amateur, Limited Amateur, Novice Amateur,
Youth, Limited Youth and Novice Youth. Since Alliance partners’ divisions
may vary per association, qualified horse/rider combinations can enter any
NRSHA division they are eligible for within that category.
What competition rules are used at the National Championship
Show?
There are 5 classes offered in each division – ranch
reining, ranch riding, ranch trail, ranch cow work, and ranch cutting.
The show follows AQHA VRH rules for each event with the following exceptions:
- In NRSHA cow work for open, amateur and youth, the exhibitor has the option to rope the cow or circle the cow. However, any open entries showing concurrently in VRH junior or senior ranch cow work class must rope to meet VRH rules.
- Riders may ride two-handed in a snaffle bit, hackamore or bosal on any age horse in the novice division. This is only allowed in novice divisions. All other AQHA equipment rules apply.
Classes run concurrently with their respective AQHA VRH division. The Open will run concurrently with VRH junior and senior classes.
- NRSHA Attendance Verification Form (must be received by an Alliance partner no later than March 15.)
View archived results from the NRSHA National Championship Show here.
Complete results and additional information from the NRSHA National Championship show are available at aqha.com/vrhworld. Press releases are available on our news page.