Frequently Asked Questions

Create a Network of Believers: We aim to connect individuals across the country who are passionate about equestrian activities, providing a platform where faith and fellowship intertwine.

Share Our Faith: Through our events, we encourage members to share their faith openly, using the community of horse enthusiasts as a conduit for spreading the Gospel.

Support Missionary Works: We commit to supporting missionary endeavors by organizing and participating in fundraisers, donating a minimum of 10% of net revenue from our association to the ministry programs we support, and engaging in direct outreach, thereby extending our impact beyond the arena.

Create Opportunities for Fellowship: CHSA member participation at events is designed not only for competition but also for corporate worship, prayer, and Bible study, enhancing spiritual growth and community outreach.

Help Those with Disabilities Work with Horses: We are devoted to inclusivity, offering programs that enable individuals with disabilities to experience the joy and therapeutic benefits of working with horses, integrating them into our community activities.

Engage in Community Service: Our association values giving back to the community through service projects that leverage our skills and resources, from local outreach to equine-assisted therapy sessions for underprivileged groups.

Together, we strive to glorify God by nurturing the spirit, mind, and body through our love of horses, our service to others, and our commitment to sharing the Gospel and living out our Christian faith.

Each horse / rider nomination must declare the category that they are competing in. (a division is a combination of the division and breed, see Classes and Categories below) this will stand for the entire calendar year. (if you move from non-pro to open during the year, let us know and we will transfer your category)

You may submit scores for any show you participate in via our easy to use web interface (shows must be advertised and have show-bill with at least one secretary and judge) The show secretary may either approve the points electronically or you may upload a picture of your scoresheet signed by the show secretary.

World champions and reserve champions will be awarded in each category at the end of the season, there will also be quarterly recognition for top performers.

We will award World Championships / Reserve Championships in 30 Different Categories (all combinations of the divisions a breeds listed below) Awards will be based on the number of entrants in that category for the year.

Divisions
———————–
Pee Wee (11 and under as of Jan 1 that year)
Youth (12-18 as of Jan 1 that year)
Non-Pro (Has not received payment for training, showing, judging, lessons within 5 years)
Open (open to all)
Senior (over 55 as of Jan 1 that year)
Disabled / Challenged

Breeds
———————–
Quarter Horse
Paint / App / Pinto
Draft
Mini / Pony (under 56 inches)
Other Breed (gaited / mules / saddlebred / donkeys / arabians / etc…)

In Hand

• Color (Horses are judged based on their coat color and markings, emphasizing aesthetic appeal.)
• Conformation (Horses are judged on their physical structure, build, and overall appearance, assessing how well they meet breed or type standards.)
• Grooming & Showmanship (Combines grooming quality with showmanship skills, judging both the horse’s presentation and the handler’s technique.)
• In Hand Over Fences (Horses are led over jumps to demonstrate their jumping ability and willingness without a rider.)
• In Hand Trail (Horses are guided through a series of obstacles on the ground, judged on obedience, agility, and calmness.)
• Lunge Line (Horses are assessed on movement, manners, and responsiveness while being lunged in a circle by the handler.)
• Showmanship (Handlers are evaluated on their ability to present the horse effectively to the judge, demonstrating control, grooming, and precision.)
• Other (Miscellaneous in hand classes.)

Western

• Cowboy Mounted Shooting (Riders shoot targets with blank ammunition while riding a pattern, judged on accuracy and time.)
• Goat Tying (Riders dismount, catch, and tie a goat in a timed event, showcasing speed and coordination.)
• Ranch Pleasure (Horses are judged on their suitability as a pleasurable ranch mount, emphasizing natural gaits.)
• Ranch Riding (Horses demonstrate versatility and suitability for ranch tasks, judged on movement and responsiveness.)
• Ranch Trail (Horses navigate obstacles simulating ranch work, such as gates or logs, judged on skill and obedience.)
• Ranchmanship (Riders demonstrate ranch horsemanship skills, combining control and practical ranch tasks.)
• Reining (Horses execute a precise pattern of spins, slides, and stops, showcasing agility and responsiveness.)
• Versatility Ranch Horse (Horses compete in multiple ranch-related events (e.g., reining, cow work, conformation) to show all-around ability.)
• Western Dressage (Combines dressage principles with Western tack, focusing on harmony and precise movements.)
• Western Horsemanship (Riders are evaluated on their control, posture, and ability to perform patterns or rail work with the horse.)
• Western Pleasure (Horses are judged on their ability to provide a smooth, comfortable ride at a walk, jog, and lope, showing calm manners.)
• Western Riding (Horses perform a pattern with lead changes and obstacles, judged on smoothness and precision.)
• Other (Miscellaneous western classes.)

English

• Country Pleasure (Horses are judged on their suitability as an enjoyable, easy-going mount.)
• Dressage (Horses perform a series of precise movements in a test, judged on harmony, accuracy, and execution.)
• English Pleasure (Horses are evaluated on smoothness and comfort at various gaits, emphasizing rider enjoyment.)
• Eventing (A triathlon of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping, testing versatility and stamina.)
• Field Hunter (Horses demonstrate suitability for hunting, judged on movement and manners in open terrain.)
• Handy Hunter (Horses navigate a course with tight turns and obstacles, judged on agility and jumping skill.)
• Hunt Seat Equitation (Riders are judged on form, control, and effectiveness over fences or on the flat.)
• Hunter Hack (Horses jump two fences and perform flatwork, judged on jumping style and rail performance.)
• Hunter Under Saddle (Horses are evaluated on movement, manners, and suitability as a hunter at walk, trot, and canter.)
• Jumping (Horses compete over a course of obstacles, with winners determined by speed and fewest faults.)
• Road Hack (Horses are assessed on their ability to perform comfortably on the road, including trotting and cantering.)
• Saddle Seat Equitation (Riders are judged on their posture, control, and ability to present the horse in a pattern or rail work.)
• Saddle Seat Pleasure (Horses showcase high-stepping gaits and a pleasurable ride, judged on performance and manners.)
• Show Hack (Horses perform collected and extended gaits, judged on elegance and responsiveness.)
• Working Hunter (Horses navigate a course of fences, judged on jumping ability, style, and consistency.)
• Other (Miscellaneous english classes.)

Driving

• Combined Driving (A three-phase event including dressage, marathon, and cones, testing all-around driving ability.)
• Fine Harness (Horses exhibit high-stepping action while pulling a cart, judged on style and performance.)
• Freestyle Driven Cones (Horses weave through a cone course while driven, judged on speed and accuracy.)
• Freestyle Driven Obstacles (Horses navigate obstacles while driven, judged on precision and agility.)
• Freestyle Reinsmanship (Drivers perform a creative routine with their horse and carriage, showcasing skill and flair.)
• Harness Racing (Horses pull a two-wheeled cart in a timed race, emphasizing speed and endurance.)
• Pleasure Driving (Horses are judged on manners, performance, and suitability while pulling a carriage.)
• Roadster (Horses pull a light cart at high speeds, judged on speed, form, and elegance.)
• Scurry Driving (Horses race through a tight obstacle course while driven, judged on speed and precision.)
• Other (Miscellaneous driving classes.)

Trail

• Pleasure Course Challenge (Horses navigate trail obstacles like backing through poles or carrying objects, judged on manners and performance.)
• Trail (Horses complete a series of obstacles (e.g., gates, bridges), judged on calmness, skill, and responsiveness.)
• Other (Miscellaneous trail classes.)

Cattle Events

• Breakaway Roping (Riders rope a calf, with the rope breaking away from the saddle horn, emphasizing accuracy and timing.)
• Campdrafting (Riders herd cattle around a course, judged on control and technique.)
• Coleo de Toros (Riders knock down cattle by grabbing their tails, a timed event emphasizing agility.)
• Cutting (Horses separate a cow from the herd and prevent its return, judged on precision and instinct.)
• Dally Team Roping (Two riders team up to rope a steer—one ropes the head, the other the hind legs—judged on teamwork and speed.)
• Ranch Sorting (Riders sort cattle in a numbered order into pens, judged on teamwork and efficiency.)
• Steer Roping (Riders rope a steer and bring it to a stop, judged on technique and speed.)
• Steer Wrestling (Riders dismount and wrestle a steer to the ground, judged on speed and form.)
• Team Penning (Teams of riders sort and pen specific cattle from a herd, judged on speed and accuracy.)
• Tie-Down Roping (Riders rope a calf, dismount, and tie its legs, judged on speed and technique.)
• Working Cow Horse (Horses work cattle, showing control in tasks like cutting or boxing, blending reining and cow work.)
• Working Cow Horse (Horses control cattle through tasks like boxing or circling, judged on skill and responsiveness.)
• Other (Miscellaneous cattle event classes.)

Speed Events

• Arena Race (Horses race around the arena perimeter, judged on speed.)
• Barrel Racing (Horses race around a pattern of barrels (e.g., Cloverleaf, Texas-T), judged on fastest time.)
• Barrel Racing (1D) (Horses race around a pattern of barrels (e.g., Cloverleaf, Texas-T), judged on fastest time.)
• Barrel Racing (2D) (Horses race around a pattern of barrels (e.g., Cloverleaf, Texas-T), judged on fastest time.)
• Barrel Racing (3D) (Horses race around a pattern of barrels (e.g., Cloverleaf, Texas-T), judged on fastest time.)
• Barrel Racing (4D) (Horses race around a pattern of barrels (e.g., Cloverleaf, Texas-T), judged on fastest time.)
• Cone Weaving (Horses weave through a series of cones, judged on time and agility.)
• Figure Eight (Horses race in a figure-eight pattern around markers, judged on time.)
• Flag Race (Riders pick up and deposit flags in buckets, judged on time and accuracy.)
• Keyhole (Horses race into a narrow keyhole shape, turn, and exit, judged on speed.)
• Pole Bending (Horses weave through a line of poles, judged on speed and precision.)
• Pole Bending (1D) (Horses weave through a line of poles, judged on speed and precision.)
• Pole Bending (2D) (Horses weave through a line of poles, judged on speed and precision.)
• Pole Bending (3D) (Horses weave through a line of poles, judged on speed and precision.)
• Pole Bending (4D) (Horses weave through a line of poles, judged on speed and precision.)
• Rollback (Horses perform quick turns in a pattern, judged on speed and agility.)
• Stake Race (Horses race around a stake and back, judged on time.)
• Other (Miscellaneous speed event classes.)

Games

• Count Down! Jumping Competition (Riders count strides aloud to jumps, with the last rider standing winning an elimination contest.)
• Dollar Bareback (Riders ride bareback with a dollar under their leg)
• Gymkhana (A series of timed games (e.g., barrel racing, pole bending), judged on speed and skill.)
• Jump-A-Lot! Contest (Riders jump as many obstacles as possible in a set time, judged on quantity.)
• Mounted Games (Riders compete in relay-style games (e.g., picking up objects), judged on time and teamwork.)
• Obstacle Course (Horses navigate creative obstacles, judged on speed or completion.)
• Skijoring (Horses pull skiers over a course, judged on speed and coordination.)
• Other (Miscellaneous game classes.)

Team Events

• Cowboy Polo (A Western-style polo game with teams hitting a ball to score, judged on skill and goals.)
• Deporte de lazo (Teams rope calves in a coordinated effort, judged on speed and precision.)
• Equestrian Drill Team (Teams perform choreographed riding patterns, judged on synchronization and artistry.)
• Horseball (Teams pass a ball and score goals while riding, blending basketball and rugby elements.)
• Hunt Teams (Teams jump a course in unison, judged on spacing, pace, and coordination.)
• Pato (Teams compete to score by throwing a ball into a net, blending elements of polo and basketball.)
• Polo (Teams hit a ball with mallets to score goals, judged on teamwork and skill.)
• Polocrosse (Combines polo and lacrosse, with teams passing a ball using netted sticks to score.)
• Team Chasing (Teams race over a course of fences, judged on speed and completion.)
• Tent Pegging (Riders spear targets with a lance at speed, judged on accuracy and form.)
• Other (Miscellaneous team event classes.)

Other

• Bareback Equitation (Riders are judged on form and control without a saddle.)
• Bareback Pleasure (Horses are ridden without saddles, judged on comfort and manners.)
• Buzkashi (Riders compete to place a goat carcass in a goal, judged on strength and strategy.)
• Command (Riders perform called-out maneuvers, judged on responsiveness and accuracy.)
• Corrida de Sortija (Riders spear a small ring with a lance at speed, judged on accuracy.)
• Endurance (Horses compete over long distances, judged on stamina and condition.)
• Equestrian Vaulting (Riders perform gymnastics on a moving horse, judged on difficulty and artistry.)
• Exceptional Rider Division (For riders with disabilities, judged on adapted performance in pleasure or equitation.)
• Freestyle Dressage (Riders design a musical dressage test, judged on artistry and precision.)
• Freestyle Horsemanship/Equitation (Riders create a custom pattern to display riding skill, judged on form and innovation.)
• Freestyle Reining (Riders create a reining pattern, often with music, judged on flair and technical skill.)
• Freestyle Showmanship (Handlers design their own pattern to showcase presentation skills, judged on creativity and execution.)
• Freestyle Trail (Riders design a trail course, judged on creativity and the horse’s performance.)
• Fun Class (A non-competitive, themed event (e.g., costumes) for enjoyment, not formally judged.)
• Go As You Please (Riders choose a gait to showcase their horse, judged on performance and suitability.)
• Jousting (Riders wield lances to strike targets, judged on accuracy and historical style.)
• Leadline Dressage (Young riders perform a simple dressage test while led, judged on execution.)
• Leadline Equitation (Young riders are judged on basic riding skills while being led.)
• Leadline Pleasure (Young riders are led by an adult, judged on the horse’s performance.)
• Leadline Trail (Young riders navigate obstacles while led, judged on horse and rider coordination.)
• Mounted Archery (Riders shoot arrows at targets while riding, judged on precision and speed.)
• Non-Equine Classes (Involves non-horse animals (e.g., goats, sheep) in showmanship or trail, judged on handling.)
• ONLY Walk Jog/Trot Division (Restricted to walk and jog/trot, judged on performance in limited gaits.)
• Side Saddle Equitation (Riders are judged on form and control while riding side-saddle.)
• Side Saddle Pleasure (Horses are ridden side-saddle, judged on comfort and elegance.)
• Silver Snaffles Division (For riders over 50, competing in various classes judged on skill and horse performance.)
• Walk Only Equitation (Riders are evaluated on form and control at the walk only.)
• Walk Only Pleasure (Horses are judged on their walk, emphasizing smoothness and ease.)
• Other (Miscellaneous other classes.)

* In the case of a tie, each competitor will receive the maximum number of points for the place they tied for. (for example if two participants tie for first place and there are 8 people in the class, they would both get 7 points, if there were only 3 people in the class, they would both get 3 points)

* Speed events where there are multiple divisions (2D, 3D, 4D) will be scored relative to the number of people in the division you placed in + any divisions slower than that.