·Young Guns - Minimum age of 7- maximum age of 11. Any rider between the ages of 7-11 is eligible to compete in the Young Guns Division. Young Guns riders are allowed to ride “up” into the Youth Division with parental permission.
o The same Young Gun may ride a maximum of two horses.
o The course shall contain 8 obstacles plus Overall Horsemanship and time points.
o Obstacles shall be rated 1 & 2.
· Youth - Minimum age of 12- maximum age of 17. Eligible Youth may ride up to Non-Pro and Open with parental approval.
o A Youth may ride a maximum of three horses.
o The course shall contain 13 obstacles plus overall Horsemanship and time points.
o Obstacles shall be rated 1 – 4.
·Novice – 18 years & Over. The Novice Division is designed for base level riders who have developed only the basic riding skills, such as loping, backing and side passing, etc. and have had little or no success competing in other equestrian events. The Novice Division is considered an entry level division that will allow the rider to develop confidence and additional horsemanship skills to allow the rider to move into the Intermediate Division. The purpose of the Novice Division is to provide a division that is fair to all base level riders. Novice riders are allowed to ride "up" into higher Divisions of competition except the Pro Division. Novice riders may ride in the Open Division.
Whether a Novice rider is required to move up to the next level shall be based on the Executive Board’s review of the following:
1) Data regarding how many times a Novice rider has won their division and the number of riders that were in the Novice division at each race
2) Recommendations submitted by judges and promoters regarding appropriate placement of the Novice rider
3) The rider’s placement in the World Championship.
If a supported petition is received, the Executive Board may require a Novice rider to move up to the next division at any time during a competition year before the EXCA World Championship. A rider who has been moved out of the Novice Division will automatically be qualified for the World Championship in the Intermediate Division. A rider may petition the Executive Board to remain in or return to the Novice Division.
o Novice shall not be required to jump but may be required to ride over obstacles. The obstacle is made of logs or ground poles of different sizes, lengths, and heights. Log height for Novice is no more than 12 inches.
o The Novice course shall have 10 obstacles plus overall Horsemanship and time points.
o Obstacles shall be rated 1 - 3.
·Intermediate - 18 years & Over. An Intermediate rider is an individual who is ready to move out of the Novice division but is not yet ready to compete in the Non-Pro division and does not receive compensation for riding or training horses, ponies or mules. An Intermediate rider has increased horsemanship skills such as increased speed and confidence in their basic skills and are prepared for the challenges of this higher level. A rider in this division has had some competition experience in equestrian sports and/or Extreme Cowboy Racing. Intermediate riders are allowed to ride "up" into higher Divisions of competition except the Pro Division. Intermediate riders may ride in the Open Division.
Whether an Intermediate rider is required to move up to the next level shall be based on the Executive Board’s review of the following:
1) Data regarding how many times an Intermediate rider has won their division and the number of riders that were in the Intermediate division at each race
2) Recommendations submitted by judges and promoters regarding appropriate placement of the Intermediate rider
3) The rider’s placement in the World Championship.
If a supported petition is received, the Executive Board may require an Intermediate rider to move up to the next division at any time during a competition year before the EXCA World Championship. A rider who has been moved out of the Intermediate Division will automatically be qualified for the World Championship in the Non-Pro Division. A rider may petition the Executive Board to remain in or return to the Intermediate Division.
o Intermediate shall not be required to jump any obstacle higher than 18 inches.
o The Intermediate course shall contain 13 obstacles plus overall Horsemanship and time points.
o Obstacles shall be rated 1 - 4.
·Non- Pro - 12 years & Over. A Non-Pro rider is an individual that has experience as a rider but does not receive direct or indirect compensation for riding or training horses, ponies or mules astride. This definition applies to all riders age 18 and over, except a Youth rider with parental permission. Non-Pro riders are allowed to ride in the Open Division. Non-Pro riders may not ride in the Pro Division.
o The Non-Pro course shall contain 13 obstacles plus overall Horsemanship and time points.
o Obstacles shall be rated 1 – 5.
·Pro - 12 years & Over. An individual is considered a professional rider if he/she is age 18 or over and receives direct or indirect compensation for riding or training horses, ponies or mules astride. Pro riders may ride in the Open Division.
o A Pro may ride an unlimited number of horses in the Pro Division and may also compete in the Futurity Division.
o In order for a professional to return to a lower level of competition, he/she must not have received direct or indirect compensation riding or training horses, ponies or mules for a period of three years prior to applying to return to a lower level of competition.
o The course shall contain 13 obstacles plus overall Horsemanship and time points.
o Obstacles shall be rated 1 – 6.
·Ride Smart 55 years & Over. The Ride Smart Division is designed for non-professional riders age 55 and over. Ride Smart riders may ride in the Open Division. Ride Smart riders may not ride in the Pro Division.
o The course shall have 13 obstacles plus overall Horsemanship and time points.
o Obstacles shall be rated 1 – 5.
Members registered as Non-Pro and Ride Smart may not ride down to the Novice or Intermediate Division. But members may renew their memberships at the lower division, such as Intermediate.
·Open Division 12 Years & Over - The Open Division is created for Youth, Novice, Intermediate, Non-Pro, Ride Smart and Pro riders.
·Green Horse Division - A Division to develop aged horses new to EXCA & Futurity Horses
o Green Horse Division for horses of any age
o Green horses may be ridden by any rider age 12 or older.
o The Green Horse Division shall have 10 obstacles plus overall Horsemanship and time points on the spreadsheet. Points will not be tracked by EXCA. Point fees do not apply to this Division.
o Obstacles shall be rated 1 - 6.
o There will NOT be a Green Horse Division at The WORLD Finals
o The Green Horse cannot be ridden in any other Divisions.
o Green Horse event scores must be recorded on a separate spreadsheet as their results do not get sent to the EXCA office and their points are not tracked.