You don’t need to show to earn recognition. These breed associations offer awards for logging time spent riding and with your horse!
There’s nothing quite like going to a horse show: the fun and excitement, the thrill of competing, the chance to show off your hard work, and possibly winning ribbons! But going to horse shows requires some big commitments when it comes to time and money, not to mention the travel that’s sometimes required. And if you live in an area that doesn’t have many horse shows, it isn’t always easy to get out and compete. Â
The good news is that many breed associations now offer programs that allow you to keep track of the hours you’ve ridden or the activities you’ve completed with your horse, regardless of whether you’ve been able to go to a show. It’s a great way for you to gain recognition for your efforts and a motivating way to stay busy with your horse, even when you aren’t going to shows.
If it sounds great to receive credit for all those hours you spend in the saddle, here are some programs to get you started (links available for each). Many other associations have similar offerings, so do your homework! And if your breed’s association doesn’t currently offer a program like this, why not ask to see if they’d consider starting one?
American Morgan Horse Association
The AMHA My Morgan & Me Program is designed to recognize and reward hours spent with Morgan horses, and you can log time you’ve spent riding, training, taking lessons, grooming, conditioning, and even bonding with your horse. It doesn’t even have to be your horse—hours count even if they’re spent with someone else’s Morgan horse. Badges, certificates, and awards are given as milestones are reached.
Learn more about the AMHA My Morgan & Me Program.
American Ranch Horse Association
If your horse is registered with the ARHA, you can participate in their Saddle Log Program, which is designed to encourage riders to enjoy recreational riding, including trail riding, ranch work, pleasure riding, and more.
Learn more about the ARHA Saddle Log Program.
Arabian Horse Association
The AHA Recreational Riding Program is a fun way to spend time with your Arabian horse. Just keep track of hours ridden on the trail, at open shows, in lessons, et cetera, and submit your log. The program recognizes riders who achieve milestones from 25 hours all the way up to 10,000 hours. You will need to be an AHA member to participate.
Learn more about the Arabian Recreational Riding Program (ARRP).
American Quarter Horse Association
The AQHA Horseback Riding Program allows you to count hours spent riding, working with, and training your horse. They offer one division for American Quarter Horses and one division that is open to all breeds. Prizes and rewards are offered for both divisions. You must be an AQHA or AQHYA member in order to participate, but horses don’t need to be registered to compete in the All-Breeds division.
Learn more about the AQHA Horseback Riding Program.
American Paint Horse Association
The APHA’s Paint Alternative Competition program has lots of options for riders. Their Recreational Riding program allows you to log hours spent training, taking lessons, trail riding, and more, with the potential for year-end and perpetual awards. Riders must be a current APHA or AjPHA member, and while you don’t have to own the horse, it must be registered with APHA either in the Regular or Solid Paint-Bred Registry.
Learn more about the APHA Paint Alternative Competition program.
Rocky Mountain Horse Association
The RMHA’s Trail Program is open to youth and aims to encourage riders to trail ride on public lands. You simply maintain a log of miles ridden on the trail, whether it’s on local trails, organized trail rides, or endurance rides. Riders must be RMHA members and horses must be registered in order to be eligible.
Learn more about the RMHA Trail Program here.
Appaloosa Horse Club
The ApHC offers a Saddle Log program where you can count hours spent riding, showing, training, doing ranch work, et cetera, and compete for annual recognition and awards. You must be an ApHC member and the horse must be registered with ApHC.
Learn more about the ApHC Saddle Log program.
Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association
The TWHBEA Trails Program has two divisions, one for registered Tennessee Walking Horses and one for unregistered TWHs and other breeds. The owner of the horse and the rider must both be members of TWHBEA, and trail hours are logged with awards given when various tiers are reached. Lesson hours and arena riding do not count toward these goals, but if you love riding on the trails, this could be a fun program for you.
Learn more about the TWHBEA Trails Program.
Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association
The Fox Trot America program offered by the MFTHBA allows you to count hours spent training, riding, participating in parades, and completing other non-competition activities. Awards and recognition are given as your logged hours build up. The horse must be registered with MFTHBA and the owner must be a member.
Learn more about the MFTHBA’s Fox Trot American Award Program.
Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry
The NFHR offers an Hours of Fun with Fjords Award that allows you to log hours spent riding, driving, showing, and/or doing agricultural work with your Norwegian Fjord Horse. The horse must be registered with NFHR and the rider must be a member. Awards, certificates, and recognition are given as various levels of achievement are reached.
Learn more about the NFHR Hours of Fun with Fjords Award.
This article about logging riding hours appeared in the September/October 2025 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!
