Merit Awards Program

NRCHA Merit Awards Program

The NRCHA Merit Awards Program recognizes the horses that define excellence in the sport of reined cow horse. Designed to celebrate long-term achievement across every stage of the vaquero tradition, the program honors horses as they progress through the snaffle, hackamore, two-rein, and bridle.

From early career milestones to the sport’s highest honors, Merit Awards showcase the versatility, consistency, and longevity required to succeed in the reined cow horse industry.

Eligible earnings include NRCHA Approved Category 1 Horse Shows, Category 1 Limited Age Events (LAE), and Category 1 Special Events, as outlined in the NRCHA Rulebook.

In order to receive the Achievement Awards, Superior Awards or the Supreme Reined Cow Horse Award, horse must be enrolled in the NRCHA Merit Program. Applications must be submitted by the horse’s current owner or rider.

For complete eligibility requirements and official rules, please reference Rule 8 of the NRCHA Rulebook.

Applications

Certificate of Ability

The Certificate of Ability is designed to recognize horses early in their careers that have demonstrated talent and success in NRCHA competition. This award is automatically awarded to any horse competing within the NRCHA.

Requirements:

  • Minimum of $1,000 in NRCHA earnings
  • Earnings may come from any NRCHA class or combination of classes

Foals of 2022 and prior are grandfathered into the program with a minimum requirement of $500 in total earnings.

Achievement Awards

Achievement Awards recognize horses that have excelled within specific divisions and stages of competition throughout their careers. Horses must be enrolled in the Merit Award Program to receive these awards.

Limited Age Event (LAE) Achievement

Awarded to horses earning:

  • $5,000 in Category 1 Limited Age Event fence classes

Hackamore Classic earnings may count toward this award if they are not also applied toward the Hackamore Achievement Award.

Limited Age Event (LAE) Boxing Achievement

Awarded to horses earning:

  • $5,000 in Category 1 Limited Age Event boxing classes

Hackamore Achievement

Awarded to horses earning:

  • $5,000 in Category 1 Hackamore fence classes

Hackamore Classic earnings may count toward this award, provided they are not double-counted toward the LAE Achievement Award.

Two Rein Achievement

Awarded to horses earning:

  • $1,000 in Category 1 Two Rein fence classes

Bridle Achievement

Awarded to horses earning:

  • $10,000 in Category 1 Bridle fence classes

Non Pro Boxing Achievement

Awarded to horses earning:

  • $7,500 in Category 1 Non Pro Boxing classes, including Select divisions

Box Drive Achievement

Awarded to horses earning:

  • $7,500 in Category 1 Box Drive classes, including Select divisions

Youth Achievement

Awarded to horses earning:

  • $1,000 in Category 1 Youth classes, including:
    • Youth Cow Horse
    • Youth Boxing
    • Youth 13 & Under divisions

Superior Awards

Superior Reined Cow Horse Award

This award recognizes horses that have demonstrated success across NRCHA fence classes and divisions throughout their careers.

Requirements:

  • $20,000 in NRCHA fence class earnings
  • Must earn any combination of fence category Achievement Awards

Foals of 2022 and prior are grandfathered in with a minimum requirement of $10,000 in earnings.

Superior Non Pro Boxing Award

Recognizes horses that have excelled specifically in the Non Pro Boxing divisions.

Requirements:

  • $25,000 in total earnings
  • Must earn:
    • LAE Achievement or LAE Boxing Achievement
    • Non Pro Boxing Achievement
    • A minimum of $15,000 in the Horse Show Category 1 classes

Foals of 2022 and prior are grandfathered into the program with a reduced minimum of $15,000 in total earnings, including at least $1,000 in Limited Age Event earnings in either a category 1 fence or boxing class.

Superior Bridle Horse Award

Recognizes elite bridle horses that have excelled at the highest levels of competition.

Requirements:

  • $30,000 in NRCHA Bridle class earnings
  • Must earn the Bridle Achievement Award
  • Two-Rein earnings may count toward the total earnings requirement

Supreme Reined Cow Horse Award

The Supreme Reined Cow Horse Award represents the highest level of achievement within the NRCHA Merit Awards Program. This award is reserved for the rare horse that has demonstrated success across every stage of the traditional vaquero progression.

Requirements:

  • $50,000 in NRCHA earnings
  • Must earn:
    • LAE Achievement
    • Hackamore Achievement
    • Bridle Achievement
  • Two Rein earnings may count toward total earnings

Foals of 2022 and prior are grandfathered into the program with a reduced minimum of $25,000 in total earnings, including at least $1,000 in Limited Age Event earnings and $1,000 in Hackamore earnings.

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