Tasha,

Would you please explain to me the ins and outs of the amateur classes? I was excited over participating in the amateur classes, but it seems they may not truly be "amatueur."

What is up with "amateurs" showing horses they don't truly own in the AAOTR classes?

I'm not finding a clear answer in the rules about how the classes work.

I assume that you're hearing about amateurs showing horses that they don't own in owner classes.

How this works is that, on paper, the person really does own the horse. In reality, the papers have been signed over from the true owner to the rider/handler for whatever reason.

It happens on occasion, especially at bigger shows, so that a particular rider/handler can show a particular horse in the amateur classes.

Hmmm..... Cheating. Can we as amateurs band together for a rule change that protects us somehow? Can we strive for more AOTS classes?

That's going to be harder to prove than simply owning the horse. What's to say that you've been working with that horse exclusively? (Assuming I remember the definition of AOTS) How can you prove that it hasn't been working with a professional? How long will you have had to have been training the horse yourself? Can you get a lesson if the horse is never touched by the pro?