Wellington, FL -- April 3, 2016 -- The Amateur Rider Association of America (ARAA) has received support from many of the biggest names from the show jumping community.

  

The Amateur Rider Association of America was founded in 2014 by Ariane Stiegler, an amateur rider on the East Coast, who is working towards setting division standards for all three of the Amateur-Owner divisions.

  

Stiegler hopes to standardize the heights of the classes with low Amateur-Owner jumpers at 1.20m and low jumper Classics at 1.25m. Medium A/O jumpers will be set at 1.30m, medium jumper Classics set at 1.35m and high A/O jumpers set at 1.40m with high jumper Classics set at 1.45m.

  

"We hope to have these three separate divisions recognized by the USEF and offered at A shows around the country," said Stiegler.

  

With a set height, horses and riders will be better prepared for what to expect and will be more likely to enter appropriate classes, thus reducing the risk of injury and also the number of scratches something sure to be of interest to horse show managers.

  

"This will be beneficial to the riders and the trainers, but most of all, to the horses," said Anne Kursinki, five time Olympian and supporter of the ARAA.

  

The list of riders endorsing AARA and its efforts include some of the sport's biggest names including Olympic veterans Kursinski, Joe Fargis, Kevin Babington, Margie Engle and Peter Leone. They have joined Stiegler and are supporting her efforts to improve the Amateur division. Fargis has agreed to serve on the Association's Advisory Committee and both Kursinski and Leone, along with his brother Mark, have agreed to serve on the Board.

  

ARAA also hopes to split the age groups of these three divisions, whenever the number of entries in a class reaches 50 horses. The split would be to offer classes for riders ages 35 and under and for riders age 36 and older. They also seek that there be no combined junior/amateur class.

  

"Our plan is to offer end-of-the-year championships in each of these three divisions for the top riders in the U.S.A," said Stiegler.

  

For more information about the American Rider Association of America, or to express your support and find out how you can help, please contact Ariane Stiegler at astiegler203@gmail.com or visit www.amateur-rider-association-of-america.org.