Minimum age of 4 - maximum age of 10.

• A rider who competes in the lead line division cannot ride up into any other divisions, including Young Guns or Youth. The course will use half the ring and will consist of six obstacles. The lead line class does not count as one of the horse's three runs of the day. 

Minimum age of 7 - maximum age of 11

• Any rider between the ages of 7-11 is eligible to compete in the Young Guns Division.

• Young Guns riders are allowed to ride "up" into the Youth Division with parental permission. The same Young Gun may ride a maximum of two horses.

• The course shall contain 8 obstacles plus Overall Horsemanship and time points.

• Obstacles shall be rated 1 & 2.

Minimum age of 12 - maximum age of 17

• Eligible Novice Youth riders are allowed to ride "up" into OXC / EXCA Youth division only.

• The course shall consist of 10 obstacles rated 1 - 3.

• This division is designed for base-level youth riders as an entry-level Youth division that will allow the rider to develop horsemanship and confidence skills to move up into the Youth division.

Minimum age of 12- maximum age of 17

• Eligible Youth may ride up into Non-Pro and Pro with parental approval.

• A Youth may ride a maximum of three horses.

• The course shall contain 13 obstacles plus overall Horsemanship and time points.

• Obstacles shall be rated 1 – 4.

Riders 18 years and over 

• The Novice Division is designed for base level riders who have developed only the basic riding skills, such as loping, backing and side passing, etc. and have had little or no success competing in other equestrian events.

• The Novice Division is considered an entry level division that will allow the rider to develop confidence and additional horsemanship skills to allow the rider to move into the Intermediate Division. The purpose of the Novice Division is to provide a division that is fair to all base level riders.  Novice riders are allowed to ride "up" into higher Divisions of competition.  

• At the end of the competition year, a decision will be made by the Executive Board as to whether or not to move a rider out of the Novice Division. The Executive Board shall review statistical data regarding how many times a Novice has won their division and the number of riders that were in the Novice division at each race.   The Executive Board may consider recommendations from judges and promoters regarding appropriate placement of the Novice rider. They may also consider the rider’s placement in the World Finals on a case by case basis.  A rider who has been moved out of the Novice Division may petition the Executive Board to remain in the Novice Division. 

• Novice shall not be required to jump but may be required to ride over obstacles.

• The Novice course shall have 10 obstacles plus overall Horsemanship and time points.

• Obstacles shall be rated 1 - 3.

Riders 18 years and over

• An Intermediate rider is an individual who is ready to move out of the Novice division but is not yet ready to compete in the Non-Pro division and does not receive compensation for riding or training horses, ponies or mules.

• An Intermediate rider has increased horsemanship skills such as increased speed and confidence in their basic skills and are prepared for the challenges of this higher level.  A rider in this division has had some competition experience in equestrian sports and/or Extreme Cowboy Racing.

• At the end of the competition year, a decision will be made by the Executive Board as to whether or not to move a rider out of the Intermediate Division. The Executive Board shall review statistical data regarding how many times an Intermediate has won their division and the number of riders that were in the Intermediate division at each race.  The Executive Board may consider recommendations from judges and promoters regarding appropriate placement of the Intermediate rider. They may also consider the rider’s placement in the World Finals on a case by case basis.  A rider who has been moved out of the Intermediate Division may petition the Executive Board to remain in the Intermediate Division.

• Intermediate shall not be required to jump any obstacle higher than 18 inches.

• The Intermediate course shall contain 13 obstacles plus overall Horsemanship and time points.

• Obstacles shall be rated 1 - 4.

Riders 12 years and over

• A Non-Pro rider is an individual that has experience as a rider but does not receive compensation for riding or training horses, ponies or mules astride.  This definition applies to all riders age 18 and over, except a Youth rider with parental permission.

• The Non-Pro course shall contain 13 obstacles plus overall Horsemanship and time points.

• Obstacles shall be rated 1 – 5.

A Division to develop aged horses new to EXCA & Futurity Horses

• Green Horse Division for horses of any age.

•  Green horses may be ridden by any rider age 12 or older. 

• The Green Horse Division shall have 10 obstacles plus overall Horsemanship and time points on the spreadsheet.  Points will not be tracked by EXCA.  Point fees do not apply to this Division.

• Obstacles shall be rated 1 - 6.

• There will NOT be a Green Horse Division at The WORLD Finals.

• The Green Horse cannot be ridden in any other Divisions.

• Green Horse event scores must be recorded on a separate spreadsheet as their results do not get sent to the EXCA office and their points are not tracked.

Ride Smart 55 years & over

• The Ride Smart Division is designed for non-professional riders age 55 and over.

• The course shall have 13 obstacles plus overall Horsemanship and time points.

• Obstacles shall be rated 1 – 5.

• Members registered as Non-Pro and Ride Smart may not ride down to the Novice or Intermediate Division. But members may renew their memberships at the lower division, such as Intermediate.

Riders 12 years and over

• An individual is considered a professional rider if he/she is age 18 or over and receives compensation for riding or training horses, ponies or mules astride.

• A Pro may ride an unlimited number of horses in the Pro Division and may also compete in the Futurity Division.

• In order for a professional to return to a lower level of competition, he/she must not have received substantial compensation or worked full time riding or training horses, ponies or mules for a period of five years prior to applying to return to a lower level of competition.

• The course shall contain 13 obstacles plus overall Horsemanship and time points.

• Obstacles shall be rated 1 – 6.