What is the difference between an Amateur and a Non-Pro?
Amateurs must have eligibility earnings of $50,000 or less at the beginning of the point year. In addition there are several other criteria for Amateur status. An Amateur must not: • have ridden or trained horses for remuneration • have assisted in training horses or riders for remuneration within the last 10 years • have been married to or lived with a professional trainer in the last 10 years • have resided on the premises with a parent, step-parent or foster parent who was, while living there, a professional. • be directly or indirectly employed by a professional trainer or work at a horse training operation • have been an apprentice trainer at any time. NCHA rules define a professional as anyone who has trained horses astride in any equine discipline for direct or indirect remuneration. Non-professionals are those who have not received direct or indirect remuneration to show, train, or assist in training a cutting horse or cutting horse rider. Non-professionals may not train horses
