Official Webstie of The National Walking Horse Association
The Official website of the NWHA

NWHA Membership

 

 
NWHA Membership Application

Membership Benefits

  • Free NWHA Amateur Card & Youth Cards

  • 8 issues of National News each year

  • Inclusion in the NWHA Year-End High Points Awards Program

  • People who share a common cause the sound horse

  • Horse Industry Updates

  • A voice in determining the leadership and direction of your association

  • The satisfaction of having taken a positive step forward to work for the betterment of our horses

Definitions & Explanations

Membership in the NWHA is open to everyone. Membership can be on an individual, family, or supporting member basis. NWHA offers both annual and lifetime membership options. You can even obtain a Gift Membership for a friend.

Pledge
If you don't want to join, but wish to support the NWHA in its programs for the sound horse, consider making a Pledge (donation). All donations to the NWHA are fully tax deductible and go directly to programs that advance and support humane treatment for our horses. Complete the top portion of the Membership Application, check "Pledge", enter the amount, and mail the application with your check or Money Order to the NWHA membership address.

Lifetime
Lifetime memberships are on an individual basis. Lifetime membership fee is $500.

Individual
An individual membership is for one adult person, 18 years of age or older. Individual membership fee is $50, and membership is valid for 12 months from date of application acceptance.

Family
Family membership allows both spouses full individual membership. They each will receive an individual membership card and amateur card if they are amateurs. All children in the family that are 18 years of age or younger will receive a youth membership if requested. A family membership fee is $100 and is valid for 12 months from date of application.

Associate Member
Adult members who do not participate as exhibitors (riders) in horse shows may elect to be "Supporting Members", and not receive an Amateur card. Supporting members receive all other benefits of NWHA membership. Supporting membership fee is $25, and membership is valid for 12 months from date of application acceptance.

Youth Membership

Youth Membership
Youth 18 years of age or younger of non-NWHA family memberships may become a NWHA youth member for $10. This membership is for 12 months from date of application acceptance. Youth members or youth in a NWHA Family memberships are eligible for the NWHA Year End High Point Awards Program and will receive a free youth card. A Youth Card is not required for showing unless the youth is competing for points. Youth members are not eligible to vote on NWHA matters.

Amateur Cards
Amateur cards are required for all adult show exhibitors entering classes designated for Amateurs. Each NWHA member that is eligible for Amateur status will receive a free Amateur card. Amateur cards are available to non-NWHA members and may be purchased through the NWHA or may also be purchased at any NWHA-affiliated show at the show secretary's booth. The annual Amateur card, valid for the entire show year for non-NWHA members is $15. A one-show card, valid for that show only, is $5.

Youth Cards
Youth cards, for exhibitors who have not reached their 18th birthday on January 1 of the show year, are required only for youth that wish to participate in the NWHA Year End High Points Awards Program. These cards are free to NWHA Youth Members and youth in a NWHA Family Membership. NWHA Family members click Here to request a Youth Card.

Youth Definition
A Youth is any exhibitor who, on January 1st of the show year, has not yet reached his/her 18th birthday. An exhibitor who turns 18 on January 2nd or after is eligible to show as a youth exhibitor all that year.

Amateur Definition
An person is an amateur for horse show purposes who, after his/her 18th birthday, does not engage in any activities which would cause him/her to be classified as a professional. For show purposes, a Youth is considered an amateur.

A person is not an amateur for horse show purposes if:

  • after his or her 18th birthday, he or she is engaged in buying, selling, dealing in, or hiring out horses, and/or if he or she accepts remuneration for any of the following activities whether or not it is the principal means of his/her income.

  • Accepts remuneration for employment in connection with horses in a show, or boarding stable, or riding academy.

  • Accepts remuneration for exercising, schooling, riding, or driving. A person can retain amateur status if they give riding lessons for expenses only, but do not train horses.

  • Rides, or shows in halter, in horse shows any horse for which he or she or a member of his/her immediate family accepts remuneration for boarding or training for a person outside of the immediate family.

  • Accepts remuneration for employment in any capacity, rides or shows in halter in horse shows, any horses which his or her employer or a member of the immediate family of such employer owns, boards or trains.

  • Accepts remuneration for the use of his/her name, photograph or other form of personal association as a horseperson in connection with any advertisement or article to be sold.

  • Stands a breeding stallion as his or her principal means of income.

Relative of a Professional:

  • Any member of a professional's family who has reached his or her 18th birthday is not an amateur if he or she aids or assists in the activities which make the aforesaid a professional.

  • Any member of a trainer's immediate family who has reached his or her 18th birthday shall not be considered an amateur if he/she shows a customer's horse.

  • Performing clerical work or providing financial aid is not deemed "aiding or assisting".

Anyone who engages a person to ride or drive in an Amateur Class and then pays or remunerates that person in excess of what is allowable as provided in Section VI of the NWHA Rule Book shall be subject to disciplinary action by the NWHA.

The following shall not affect amateur status: the writing of books or articles for horse show purposes, or serving in the capacity of DQP at horse shows, or the reimbursement of rider for expenses without profit, or the acceptance of a small token of appreciation, other than money, for riding.

If there is a question of whether a person is an amateur, determination shall be made by the NWHA.

Three ways to join:

Mail-in NWHA Membership Application

On-line Membership Application

Join at a show near you!

National Walking Horse Association
At The Kentucky Horse Park
4059 Iron Works Parkway, Suite 4
Lexington, KY 40511
Phone: 859-252-NWHA (6942)
FAX: 859-252-0640
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