When you turn the page on the calendar to January 2015, new APHA rules will go into effect. These rules were passed at the 2014 APHA Convention, and new rules will be voted on at the 2015 Convention. A full list of passed rules as well as the 2015 APHA Official Rule Book are available online, but below are five new rules that will make big impacts on the association:
Show Lease Program
Beginning January 1, show lease certificates will be issued to individual Amateur or Youth members who file a show lease form with APHA; the lessee’s immediate family members are also allowed to exhibit the horse. The lessee must be responsible for all expenses relating to the horse. All leases expire on December 31, unless terminated before that date, and must be renewed annually with the applicable performance lease fee.
Lower Registration Fees
Registration fees for cropout Paints have been lowered by up to 85%, and registration fees for older Regular Registry and Solid Paint-Bred horses with at least one Paint parent have been reduced, too! New pricing goes into effect January 1.
Added Recognition
Beginning January 1, Novice Youth will be eligible to earn Superior and Zone Champion awards; Youth Walk-Trot points will count toward Registers of Merit, Superiors and zone awards; and Amateur Walk-Trot exhibitors will have a Top 10 year-end award category and zone awards.
Membership Requirements
Starting in January, horse owners must be current APHA members for their horses to compete in APHA-approved classes. Additionally, all exhibitors mush have a current, individual membership to be eligible to show. Joint and/or farm or ranch membership will no longer satisfy the membership requirement. Details and examples of this change are available online.
2-Year-Old Longe Line
Starting in 2015, APHA will offer 2-Year-Old Longe Line for horses that have not been shown in under saddle classes. This class will offer extended opportunities for young horses to showcase their performance potential.
Expanded Paint Horse Championship Shows
In response to two successful trial events in 2014, APHA is excited to roll out its popular Paint Horse Championships at events around the country in 2015. The first event—the Southeast Paint Horse Championship, presented in conjunction with the Zone 9 Southern Classic—takes place February 14-16 in Jacksonville, Florida.
