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Guide to Earning Division Points in the WDAA Year-End High-Point Program

The WDAA Year-End High-Point (YEHP) and International Year-End High-Point (IYEHP) Programs award points to horses for competing in WDAA-recognized shows from January 1 to December 31. This guide explains how points are awarded for Amateur, Junior, Open, Gaited Amateur, Gaited Junior, Gaited Open, Physically Challenged, and Therapeutic Rider divisions, with key details to help you get points in the right division.

Key Rules for Division Points

  • Separate Placings Required: To earn points in Amateur, Junior, Gaited Amateur, Gaited Junior, Gaited Open, Physically Challenged, or Therapeutic Rider, your division must have separate placings in the class results (e.g., Amateur ranked 1st–3rd, not mixed with Open riders).

  • Combined Classes = Open Division: If a class mixes divisions (e.g., Amateurs with Open riders, Juniors with Adults) and places everyone together, points go to the Open Division, no matter what the show reports.

  • Gaited Classes: Must be clearly labeled as a Gaited Class in the prize list and results, with only Gaited horses. If divisions within a Gaited Class aren’t separated, points go to Gaited Open.

  • If Your Show Doesn’t Offer Gaited Classes: Gaited horses can compete in Amateur, Junior, or Open division classes, earning points based on those placings (separate or combined).

  • Physically Challenged and Therapeutic Rider Divisions:

    • Riders must submit a WDAA Exceptional Rider Eligibility Form when entering a WDAA-recognized show. Download the Exceptional Rider Eligibility Form.

    • Exceptional riders cannot cross-enter between Physically Challenged and Therapeutic Rider divisions and generally do not compete outside these divisions (e.g., in Amateur, Junior, or Open divisions) unless specifically allowed by the show.

    • Points are awarded to the reported level (Amateur, Junior, or Open) and default to Open unless specified.

  • Check the Prize List: Look at the show’s prize list to see which divisions are offered and if smaller classes might be combined (e.g., Amateurs with Open riders for non-Gaited classes). Combined classes mean Open Division points unless placings are separated with unique class numbers or clear division breakouts (e.g., Amateur vs. Junior rankings). For Gaited or Exceptional Rider classes, confirm they are offered and placed separately.

  • Correct Reporting Matters: If a show doesn’t report divisions with unique class numbers or clearly identify the division in the class name (e.g., Class 101-A for Amateur) or provide a clear breakout of placings, points may default to the Open Division (or Gaited Open for Gaited Classes).

Examples

  • Separate Placings (Get Your Division Points):

    • A Level 1 class (Class 101) has 8 riders: 4 Amateurs (1 gaited horse), 3 Juniors, 1 Open. The prize list says divisions are separate, and results show:

      • Amateur (101-A): 4 riders ranked 1st–4th (1st = 4 points, 2nd = 3, etc.).

      • Junior (101-J): 3 riders ranked 1st–3rd (1st = 3 points, 2nd = 2, etc.).

      • Open (101-O): 1 rider ranked 1st (1st = 1 point).

    • A Gaited Basic class (Class 201, labeled as Gaited) has 6 riders: 3 Gaited Amateurs, 2 Gaited Juniors, 1 Gaited Open, ranked separately:

      • Gaited Amateur (201-GA): 1st = 3 points, 2nd = 2, etc.

      • Gaited Junior (201-GJ): 1st = 2 points, 2nd = 1.

      • Gaited Open (201-GO): 1st = 1 point.

  • Combined Placings (Get Open Division Points):

    • A Level 1 class has 8 riders (4 Amateurs, 3 Juniors, 1 Open) but ranks everyone together under one class number (Class 101). Points go to Open Division (1st = 8 points, 2nd = 7, etc.).

    • A Gaited Introductory class (labeled as Gaited) has 6 riders (3 Gaited Amateurs, 2 Gaited Juniors, 1 Gaited Open) but ranks everyone together (Class 301). Points go to Gaited Open (1st = 6 points, 2nd = 5, etc.).

How Points Are Calculated

  • First Place: Gets points equal to the number of riders in your division’s placing group, up to 10 points max. Example:

    • 5 Amateurs: 1st = 5 points, 2nd = 4, 3rd = 3, etc.

    • 12 Gaited Juniors: 1st = 10 points (capped), 2nd = 9, etc.

  • Points drop by 1 for each lower placing in your division’s group.

  • Only completed rides with scores count. Scratches, eliminations, or excusals don’t count.

  • Online shows: Points are half value (e.g., 1st in a 6-rider Gaited Junior class = 3 points).

Special Rules for Gaited and Exceptional Rider Divisions

  • Gaited Classes: Must be labeled as a Gaited Class in the prize list and results, with only Gaited horses. Divisions are Gaited Amateur, Gaited Junior, or Gaited Open. If divisions aren’t separated, points go to Gaited Open.

  • If Your Show Doesn’t Offer Gaited Classes: Gaited horses can compete in Amateur, Junior, or Open division classes, earning points based on those placings (separate or combined).

  • Physically Challenged and Therapeutic Rider Divisions:

    • Submit a WDAA Exceptional Rider Eligibility Form when entering. Download here.

    • Riders cannot compete in both Physically Challenged and Therapeutic Rider divisions and generally do not compete outside these divisions unless specifically allowed by the show.

    • Points are awarded to the reported level (Amateur, Junior, or Open) and default to Open unless specified.

How to Get Your Division Points

  • Check the Prize List: Confirm your division (e.g., Amateur, Junior, Gaited Amateur, Physically Challenged) is offered and placed separately. Check if Gaited or Exceptional Rider classes are offered. Look for notes about combining classes, which could mean Open Division points for non-Gaited or non-Exceptional classes.

  • Enter Correctly: Include your WDAA Membership Number and your horse’s WDAA Horse Number (free to get) on the entry form. For Physically Challenged or Therapeutic Rider divisions, submit the WDAA Exceptional Rider Eligibility Form.

  • Talk to the Show Secretary: Ask if your division will be placed separately with unique class numbers or clear breakouts (e.g., Class 101-A for Amateur). Verify Gaited Classes are Gaited-only. Results must be sent to WDAA within 14 days of the show.

  • Fix Errors Fast: If your division or placings are reported wrong, contact the show secretary. They have 30 days from the show’s end date to submit corrections to WDAA.

  • Avoid Mixed Classes: For Gaited points, ensure the class is labeled Gaited-only with separate placings for Gaited Amateur or Gaited Junior. For Physically Challenged or Therapeutic Rider points, ensure separate placings. For non-Gaited or non-Exceptional classes, ensure Amateur or Junior is placed separately to avoid Open Division points.

Why Points Default to Open or Gaited Open?

  • Combined Non-Gaited Classes: If divisions (e.g., Amateurs with Open riders) are ranked together under one class number, points go to Open Division because it’s one competition.

  • Combined Gaited Classes: If a Gaited Class doesn’t separate Amateur, Junior, or Open placings, points go to Gaited Open.

  • Combined Exceptional Rider Classes: If Physically Challenged or Therapeutic Rider divisions are ranked together with other divisions (e.g., Open), points go to Open Division unless specified as Amateur or Junior.

  • Incorrect Reporting: If a show doesn’t use unique class numbers or clearly identify the division in the class name (e.g., 101-A for Amateur) or provide clear breakout of placings, points may default to Open Division (or Gaited Open for Gaited Classes).

Quick Tips

  • Points reset every January 1.

  • You need an active WDAA membership and a registered horse (with a WDAA Horse Number).

  • For Gaited points, compete in a Gaited-only class (labeled as such) with separate placings for Gaited Amateur or Gaited Junior to avoid Gaited Open. If no Gaited Classes, gaited horses can earn Amateur, Junior, or Open points.

  • For Physically Challenged or Therapeutic Rider points, submit the WDAA Exceptional Rider Eligibility Form and ensure separate placings for your division (Amateur, Junior, or Open).

  • Check the prize list for divisions and combining notes to avoid Open Division points.

  • Ask the show secretary about divisions, placings, or errors. Corrections can be submitted within 30 days of the show’s end date.