Over the past few years, the NRCHA Non Pro Committee has worked to cater to the Non Pro exhibitors. Paul Bailey, NRCHA Non Pro Committee Chairman, said, “The Non Pro Committee wanted to boost participation in the Limited Age Events at Premier Events. We hope that the changes that were made for 2012 will encourage Non Pros who have been sitting on the sidelines will once again come back and show. I thank the Non Pro Committee for all the hard work and dedication to this association.”

Some of the changes for 2012.

NRCHA Novice Non Pro Division Will Debut

The NRCHA Novice Non Pro Division will debut in 2012 at NRCHA Premier Limited Age Events. To be eligible for this division, the rider must have a current NRCHA Non Pro membership and must not have earned more than $15,000 Open and Non Pro money in the past three yeas at NRCHA approved limited age events. Riders must have a valid LAE designation or this division on their membership card and a current application on file in the NRCHA office.

NRCHA Non Pro Limited Added

There’s a lot of excitement about the Limited Age Event Non Pro Limited, which is slated to become a staple of NRCHA Premier Events for 4- and 5-year-olds in 2012.

This stand-alone class will feature herd work, rein work and boxing, and will have no finals.

Eligibility will be based on the rules for the current Non Pro Limited Horse Show Class. It will debut at the Circle Y Ranch Derby in January.

New Entry Fee Structure for Non Pro Divisions

The Non Pro divisions at NRCHA-produced Limited Age Events will have a new structure in 2012. Beginning at the Circle Y Ranch Derby and including the NRCHA Stakes, Hackamore Classic, Derby, and Snaffle Bit Futurity, Non Pros will enter one time with one entry fee and be automatically entered in all divisions for which they are eligible.

That means that any Non Pro will pay the regular Non Pro entry fee, and will also be entered in the Intermediate Non Pro and Novice Non Pro divisions depending on their eligibility.

“This one entry fee will be a win-win for everyone,” said Bailey. “It’s great to be able to just pay the one entry fee and be automatically in all your eligible divisions.”

The Amateur and the new Non Pro Limited divisions will remain separate events and not be included as part of this new system. Both will be stand-alone classes and will have no finals.