AQHA has announced rule changes for 2009 and they may be seen in the
new 2009 Rule Book. The most
significant changes appear to be the addition of Novice Halter,
reducing the restrictions to showing to a judge with whom you have done
business, and the addition of Progressive Working Hunter. Do any of these new rules effect you?
According to the 2009 AQHA Rule Book:
Novice Halter may be offered as an approved and pointed class at any AQHA approved show. Novice Halter class winners are not eligible for Grand and Reserve Champion.
Novice Halter classes are eligible for Grand and Reserve Champion at All-Novice shows only.
Novice Halter may be offered as an approved and pointed class at any AQHA approved show. Novice Halter class winners are not eligible for Grand and Reserve Champion.
A certificate will be awarded to the High-Point Select exhibitor in each Amateur class.
For all AQHA approved shows (United States, Canada and International) show management must collect a processing fee
of $2 per horse per show. For all AQHA-approved shows held in the United States, except California, show management must collect a drug testing fee of $1 per horse, per show.
Judges may not judge a horse that is owned or exhibited by anyone from whom he or she has received a salary, commission or any kind of remuneration for selling or buying any horse for that individual, whether or not a horse is concerned in the transaction, has been in the employ, or has represented such individual in any capacity for remuneration, within three months from the date of the subject show.
No horse may be shown to a judge if that judge has been owner, trainer, agent in any capacity, or conditioner of that horse within the previous three months.
It is mandatory for riders in all hunter, jumper and equitation classes, including hunter hack, where jumping is required and when jumping anywhere on the competition ground to wear properly fastened protective headgear that meets ASTM/SEI standards or equivalent international standards for equestrian use. The helmet must also be properly fitted with harness secured.
Horses that have shown during previous years in AQHA-approved green western riding, open western riding, amateur western riding or youth western riding, but have not won more than 10 points or more than $1,000 in these events as of January 1of the current show year.
The judge will select one of eight western riding patterns to be performed.
Horses that have shown during previous years in AQHA-approved green trail, open trail, amateur trail or youth trail, but have not won more than 10 points or won more than $1,000 in these classes as of January 1 of the current show year.
Horses that have shown during previous years in AQHA-approved green
western pleasure, open western pleasure, amateur western pleasure or
youth western pleasure, but have not won more than 10 points or won more than $1,000
in these classes as of January 1 of the current show year. Points from
all divisions will count and are cumulative in determining eligibility
462. PROGRESSIVE WORKING HUNTER
(a) The same rules apply as in Junior and Senior Working Hunter except fence height which shall be 2’9” to 3.
(b)
Eligibility requirements are for horses of all ages who have no
previous AQHA points in Open Working Hunter, Amateur Working Hunter,
Youth Working Hunter, Amateur Equitation Over Fences, Youth Equitation
Over Fences, Open Jumping, Youth Jumping and Amateur Jumping and who
have not exhibited in a class 3’ and over in competition.
(1) Horses become eligible for Progressive Working Hunter for a time period of that calendar year after entering any
working hunter class other than the Green Working Hunter.
(2) Progressive Working Hunter will be a World Show class but no points will be given towards an all-around or Super
Horse Award.
(c) This class will only be offered in the open division.
For more information provided by AQHA regarding Progressive Working Hunter, click here.
