American Stock Horse Association
Scoring System
American Stock Horse Association
The scoring systems are designed to be positive, straightforward, and always encouraging growth and improvement in both horse and rider. They are designed to give credit for the work done.
Show management will have two (2) options for scoring an ASHA-approved event:
1) ASHA 1-10 Scoring System and/or 2) AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse (VRH) Standard 70 Scoring System.
ASHA 1-10 Scoring System
ASHA utilizes a 1-10 scoring system as a core component of its educational and developmental philosophy. This scoring format is designed to be clear, approachable, and encouraging particularly for new exhibitors and those focused on learning and improvement.
The 1-10 system allows riders to easily understand their performance and track progress from one event to the next. A score of 3 clearly identifies an area for improvement and provides a tangible goal of working toward a 4 or higher. This incremental approach supports learning, builds confidence, and reinforces ASHA’s belief that competition should be a positive tool for growth.
By design, the ASHA scoring system encourages participation, rewards improvement, and supports riders and horses at all stages of development. ASHA highly recommends the 1-10 scoring system. Specific rules give a horse credit for what they accomplish, rather than a disqualification with a total score of zero (0).
The judging scale on all maneuvers and obstacles in all ASHA classes, where 1-10 is the scale, should be:
(Specific deductions are listed with each class)
1-4 Major Faults
5-7 Average Quality
8-10 High Quality
Total Score Zero: No horse shall be disqualified and receive a total score of zero (0) except for 1) Lameness, 2) Illegal Equipment, 3) Inhumane treatment or Misconduct From the Rider, and 4) Improper Western Attire.
Maneuver Score: Scores for each maneuver are scored 0-10. All maneuvers of a class that are attempted should receive at least a score of one (1). If a rider leaves out part of a class or chooses to not attempt a maneuver, a score of zero (0) should be noted for the maneuver.
Off-Pattern (OP): An off pattern will be noted as "OP" in the box below the applicable maneuver. An OP notation does not affect class placings
AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse (VRH) Standard 70 Score System
Show producers who host an event with the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse (VRH) Standard 70 Scoring System have the option to conduct an AQHA VRH event concurrently. When an AQHA VRH event is held concurrently, all AQHA approval requirements, rules, entries, and fees must be met separately and independently of the ASHA-approved event. Entries, results, and points for each organization shall be recorded and reported according to the respective association’s procedures.
Concurrent events must be clearly identified in all advertising and entry materials to ensure participants understand the rules, scoring system, fees, and eligibility requirements applicable to each event.
For each class, horses will be scored from 0 to 100, with 70 denoting an average performance. Maneuver scores should be added and subtracted from the 70 and are to be determined and assessed independently of any penalty points which may accrue.
Each maneuver will receive a score ranging from:
(Specific deductions are listed with each class)
+ 1.5 Excellent
+ 1 Very Good
+.5 Good
0 Correct
-.5 Poor
-1.0 Very Poor
-1.5 Extremely Poor
Disqualification (DQ): Lameness, abuse, leaving the arena before pattern is complete, illegal equipment or attire, fall of horse/rider, out of control, dangerous, excessive schooling, and/or abuse, disrespect, or misconduct.
Off-Pattern (OP): In the case of a horse/rider team being off-pattern (OP), including repeated blatant disobedience, breaking pattern, incomplete maneuver, eliminating or adding maneuvers, use of two (2) hands, more than one finger between split reins or any fingers between romal reins (except in the two-rein) the horse/rider team cannot place above other horse/rider teams who have completed the pattern correctly.
Ideal VRH Ranch Riding Horse: Should have a natural ranch horse appearance from head to tail in each maneuver. Appearance will also be evaluated ranging from +1.5 to -1.5.
