Awards Program

The West Coast Ranch Horse "Best in the West" Awards program is designed to allow competitors to submit points in four different divisions from ANY ranch horse show held within the West Coast region to compete for recognition and prizes . The West Coast region is defined as California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho and Utah. The program year runs from February 1st to October 31st, with points updated on an ongoing basis. *The Rendezvous may be held in November but will count toward October points.

Classes that may be submitted for WCRH awards program points include:

Ranch Riding (pattern class)
Ranch Rail
Rail Trail (pattern class)
Ranch Conformation

Divisions include:

Short Stirrup: 10 years and under as of January 1st of show year
Youth: 18 years and under as of January 1st of show year
Green Rider: Rider in 1st or 2nd year showing in ranch horse classes*
Green Horse: Horse in 1st or 2nd year showing in ranch horse classes*
Amateur: Non-professional competitors
Open: All competitors are welcome to nominate for Open division

The "Best in the West" Ranch Horse Standings page displays the point totals for each division by nominated horse and rider combination.

For questions about points, please contact WCRHpoints@gmail.com

NEW!: WCRH has added a Ranch Cow Horse program which is eligible for Best in the West awards through a separate nomination. Ranch Cow Horse Year End divisions include Open, Amateur & Youth (18& Under). Program will run 2/1 - 10/31. Nominate today via link above. Approved classes offered currently by SCPHA & WCRH (Temecula shows only). *Monthly high points are not offered for cow horse competitors.

"Best in the West" Awards include:

"Best in the West" Division Buckles

Nominated horse and rider combination with the most cumulative points across the four WCRH recognized classes in each division is awarded a custom WCRH belt buckle and rosette.

Top Hand Award

"Best in the West" Division Buckles

The nominated rider with the most points, regardless of horse, will be awarded a belt buckle. *Must nominate for each horse/rider combination and each division. Must nominate for 2 or more divisions or nominate 2 or more horses.

Super Horse Award

"Best in the West" Division Buckles

Super Horse Award

The nominated horse, regardless of rider, with the most points will be awarded a custom WCRH halter and neck sash. *Must nominate for each horse/rider combination and each division.

Class Champion Awards

"Best in the West" Top Five Awards

Class Champion Awards

The nominated horse/rider combination with the most points in each class in each division will be awarded a champion ribbon and rosette. Class champions will have the option to purchase a buckle.

Monthly High Points

"Best in the West" Top Five Awards

Class Champion Awards

For each month of the program, the standings are tabulated within 30 days of the end of the month. The horse/rider combination with the most points in each division will be recognized. Prizes will vary from month to month (examples include travel mugs, hats, garment bags, etc).

"Best in the West" Top Five Awards

Reserve Champions (second overall cumulative high score in each division) will receive a fancy rosette and have the option to purchase a buckle. Top 5 medals are given for 3rd through 5th place for highest overall cumulative scores in each division.

Program Rules

Update: New rule for online shows! 4 online shows per month maximum per nominated horse/rider combination per division will be allowed.
Annual WCRH membership for rider is required prior to awards program enrollment (also called nomination) for each calendar year.
Each horse/rider combination must be nominated annually (including nomination form and payment) in the appropriate division(s) prior to showing in order to earn points.
For Ranch Riding, Ranch Trail and Ranch Rail, only points from classes offered in the appropriate division count for that division's award program. (Example: Points earned in Non-Pro or Amateur Ranch Riding count towards Amateur division point totals, but would not be counted for Open division point totals)
Open Ranch Horse Conformation counts for points for each nominated division if the appropriate division is not offered.
Program year is February 1st to October 31st. WCRH Ranch Horse Rendezvous to count towards October points, but may be held in November. Any affiliate shows that need to be rescheduled to a November date due to weather or COVID will also count.
Nominations begin December 1st prior to the show year.
You may nominate yourself to ride a horse that you do not own.
The horse owner, if different from rider, does not have to be a WCRH member for the horse to be nominated.
Horses, mules, donkeys, and ponies may participate.
Nominations may be submitted electronically through our website, in person at a WCRH sanctioned show/booth or by mail.
Please allow 5 business days from date of receipt for nomination processing and program enrollment.
Expedited processing (24 hour) for nominations is available for additional $20 fee.
No additional fee is required after nomination is submitted to qualify for awards.
Nominated horse/rider combinations must compete in a minimum of 4 shows within the West Coast region in order to qualify for prizes.
Walk-trot, Novice/Level 1 and Green Horse/Rider classes may be counted in Green Horse Green Rider, Youth division and Short Stirrup divisions, but may not be counted for Amateur and Open.
For WCRH sanctioned shows, show results and class counts are automatically transferred to WCRH by show management.
For all non-sanctioned shows, WCRH "Best of the West" competitor report forms must be submitted with required signatures and attachments within 30 days of show.
Competitor report forms and required attachments may be submitted via mail or by email. Refer to form for details.
To be eligible for "Super Horse", the horse must be nominated in two or more divisions or with two or more riders.
To be eligible for a Top Hand award, the rider must be nominated for 2 or more divisions or nominate 2 or more horses.
Each show is governed by the rules of the host association.
Point system will award approximately top 40% of participants. Refer to point schedule on competitor report form.
All points submitted in a program month will be tabulated and posted by the 30th day of the following month.
Points become final 30 days after posting. Requests for correction must be made promptly. Please review results after points are posted each program month (March - October).
See WCRH Rulebook for full listing of division qualifications for Amateur, Green Horse, Youth and Short Stirrup. https://westcoastranchhorse.com/rulebook
WCRH will investigate any report of miscategorization of a horse and/or rider and reserves the right to terminate without refund any nomination where it is proven horse and/or rider do not qualify per WCRH rules.
Horse substitutions are not permitted in Green Rider, Green Horse, Amateur and Open divisions. They are permitted in the Youth and Short Stirrup divisions with proof of sale or vet note.
There must be 3 or more points earned by a rider/horse combination in order for a monthly high point to be awarded.
WCRH management and immediate family members reserve the right to participate as competitors. Points will be entered and verified by a third party.
If less than 10 nominations are submitted for any division, WCRH reserves the right to cancel that division and refund the nomination fees.
WCRH reserves the right to substitute prizes of equal value.
Membership and nomination fees are non-refundable.

"Best in the West" Awards Program

2023 nomination now open! Nominate before showing Feb 1st - Oct 31st!

"Best in the West" Awards include:

"Best in the West" Division Buckles

"Best in the West" Division Buckles

"Best in the West" Division Buckles

Top Hand Award

"Best in the West" Division Buckles

"Best in the West" Division Buckles

Super Horse Award

"Best in the West" Division Buckles

Super Horse Award

Class Champion Awards

"Best in the West" Top Five Awards

Class Champion Awards

Monthly High Points

"Best in the West" Top Five Awards

Class Champion Awards

"Best in the West" Top Five Awards

"Best in the West" Top Five Awards

"Best in the West" Top Five Awards

Prefer A Paper Form?

Program Rules

WCRH Awards Program Point Schedule

"Best in the West" Competitor Report Form