At the AQHA convention in San Antonio, the Executive Committee voted to amend Rule 448(j)(3) to read that starting in 2010, “Performance halter to exclude a performance Register of Merit in showmanship at halter to qualify for performance halter.”
GoHorseShow.com readers asked for clarification on whether or not the rule effects performance halter eligibility for horses that currently have a performance Register of Merit that was earned with points from showmanship at halter.
Charlie Hemphill, AQHA Senior Director of Shows, clarified for GoHorseShow.com that AQHA will not grandfather horses that have previously earned their Performance Register Of Merit by way of showmanship points.
“Showmanship has always been a performance class,” says Hemphill “but the committee felt that these horses were not being ridden, and needed at one time to have the capability of being ridden.” Hemphill added, “Horsemanship and Hunt Seat Equitation are classes that are judged on the exhibitor but the difference is that the horse is being ridden in those classes. ”
When questioned as to how AQHA plans to handle the paper work for the horses that will lose their Performance Register Of Merit because of the new rule, Hemphill stated, “We have not figured that out yet.”
Additionally, Hemphill confirmed that AQHA will allow a horse with any performance Register of Merit, except showmanship, to be eligible to compete in all divisions of performance halter. Previously, a horse had to earn a performance Register of Merit in each division (Open, Amateur or Youth) to be eligible to compete in their respective divisions. The new ruling, which goes into effect next year, will allow a horse to compete in all three divisions of performance halter regardless of which division they earned their performance Register Of Merit.
