The qualifying period for the 2026 NSBA World Championship Show is May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026.

Qualifying is done through participation in each class at Dual Approved events or Special Events. In the Open classes, the horse, and in the Amateur and Youth classes, the horse and rider, will be required to participate in the corresponding dual approved class a minimum of 5 times within the qualifying period of May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. Those who are not qualified may enter with an additional qualification fee per class. Qualification fees are as follows: $250 for all Green, Junior and Senior classes, $200 for all Novice Amateur, Amateur and Amateur 50 & Over classes, $150 for all Novice Youth and Youth classes.

Please note that horses and riders who qualify and are registered with one of NSBA’s recognized Color Breed Associations may show in both the Color and the all-breed World Championship classes for which they are qualified. For instance, a registered APHA horse and rider who qualifies in Amateur Western Pleasure can show in Color Amateur Western Pleasure and/or Amateur Western Pleasure.

A horse may have met qualification requirements in the previous year as a Green-eligible horse. However, NSBA eligibility is based on January 1 of the current show year.

An exhibitor may have met qualification requirements in the previous year as a Novice eligible exhibitor. However, NSBA eligibility is based on January 1 of the current show year.

Exhibitors who become Amateurs in 2026 must qualify by competing in Amateur classes; Youth classes from the prior year do not count toward the Amateur qualification. Participation on horses that age from the Junior to Senior divisions in 2026 will count towards the Senior division qualification. Limited rider classes in Trail, Western Riding, Showmanship at Halter, Western Horsemanship, and Hunt Seat Equitation require qualification.

• In the search box enter any part of the Horse Name, Exhibitor, or Class.
• Clicking on the column headers will result in the order of changing the table layout.

Official Qualification status as reported to NSBA  - call the NSBA office at 847-623-6722 with any questions.