The AQHA Executive Committee recently reviewed and approved rule changes from the AQHA Show Committee, which were approved by AQHA membership and the AQHA Board of Directors at the convention, and also reviewed by the Show Council after convention.
All committee recommendations were reviewed for feasibility based on a variety of criteria, including but not limited to available resources, budget constraints and necessary computer programming. Careful consideration, discussion and debate were devoted to each item. Read the full standing-committee reports here.
View highlights of the approved rule changes. All rules are effective January 1, 2023, unless noted otherwise.
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General Subcommittee
- Amend SHW220 to allow international-only youth members, excluding Canada, to show a non-owned, non-leased horse in regular youth division classes.*
- Amend SHW400.8 to allow family members to show a horse in up to two youth or amateur subdivisions of any type of event.*
- Approve the International Virtual Shows Task Force proposal for international shows only, to be titled Virtual Judging: AQHA-approved virtual judging to take place via a live feed in extenuating circumstances, such as the pandemic, when an AQHA judge cannot enter an international country.*
The Executive Committee referred the Equestrian with Disabilities related items to the Equestrians With Disabilities task force.*
Show Format and Procedures Subcommittee
- Add SHW127.1 (d) owners and tenants of international showground facilities, including the horses registered in their names, may compete at an AQHA show hosted on their property. *
- Track relationship between the show sponsor and the facility on the show approval application.*
- Continue review of the task force report to investigate all alliance rules and/or associations and possible AQHA rules to support mounted shooting with AQHA as the governing body.*
- Continue with the current AQHA show calendar (weekends of the year) and conclude the study of the AQHA Show Calendar.
- Accept denial of multi-breed concurrent classes by the AQHA Show Council.
Leveling and Awards Subcommittee
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- Continue the Green Non-pro Task Force to consider proposal for show management to offer amateur/Select subdivisions of respective performance classes for amateur/Select exhibitors on Level 1 horses and add as an exhibition class at the AQHA World Championship Show. *
- Form a task force to study data in consideration of the proposal to adopt a new model for skill leveling.*
- Modify SHW400.1 and SHW400.2 to be consistent with existing rules SHW400.3 and SHW400.4. SHW400.1 Exhibit four horses in a junior class. SHW400.2 Exhibit four horses in a senior class. *
- Modify SHW246: If an exhibitor wins a class at the AQHA Level 1 Championships, he/she is no longer eligible to compete in all exhibitor age divisions and/or all sex divisions of that class at any future Level 1 Championships; however, if an exhibitor is Level 1 eligible, he/she may continue to show in that class in Level 1 competition.*
- Add SHW247: If an exhibitor wins a class at the AQHA Level 2 Championships, he/she is no longer eligible to compete in all exhibitor age divisions and/or all sex divisions of that class at any future Level 2 Championship for the subsequent three years; however, if an exhibitor is Level 2 eligible, he/she may continue to show in that class in Level 2 competition.*
- Amend SHW813 to add year-end high-point recognition for the Select division for individual classes and to use the existing budget for amateur awards to be split over both divisions of amateur and Select. The amateur and Select high-point winners, by class, cannot be the same horse/rider combination. A horse/rider combination can only win in their respective division.*
Western and Timed Events Subcommittee
- Approve an open breakaway roping class.*
- Approve new working western rail class.*
English and Dressage Subcommittee
- Amend SHW312 to add the stirrup leather, saddle pad or stirrup iron may not be connected by string or any other material.
- The Executive Committee also approved Return on Investment studies to be presented to the AQHA Show Council and Executive Committee for the additional Dressage and Eventing related recommendations from the English and Dressage Subcommittee.*
World Show Subcommittee
- Review the dressage and western dressage schedule and class logistics at the AQHA World Championship Show.*
- Allow late entry for non-qualifying stakes classes and weanling halter to be open 72 hours prior to 8 a.m. before the class. This includes entry into the class, jackpot and National Snaffle Bit Association class, if applicable. These classes will be drawn following the closing of entries. Stalls are not guaranteed for late entries.*
- Require Select amateur all-around contenders to qualify, enter and show in three categories at the AQHA Select World Championship Show.*
- Review hunter hack and amateur pleasure driving scheduling at the AQHA World Show.*
- Refer championship show added money proposal to a task force comprised of the chair of the AQHA Show Committee, each subcommittee chair, a representative from international committee and three other individuals appointed by Show Committee chair. The task force is to provide a report to the Show Council after reporting task force recommendations to Show Committee. These actions will occur prior to the 2023 AQHA Convention. It is recommended for a 30-day review by the Show Committee prior to sending to Show Council.*
- Add AQHYA World Championship Show awards to recognize the all-around champion and reserve champion for both the 13-&-Under and 14 to 18 divisions.*
- Amend SHW251.9 to add the Global Handicap Rating system in open team roping classes at the 2022 and future AQHA world championship shows. Exhibitors with Global Handicap Rating higher than elite 5 heading would only be eligible for Level 3 in open heading. Exhibitors with Global Handicap Rating higher than 7 heeling would only be eligible for Level 3 in open heeling. *
- Include green working hunter and green hunter hack as AQHA World Show stakes classes.*
Halter Subcommittee
- Approved AQHA Show Council recommendation for legal counsel to review the proposal to allow a qualified person to track a halter horse if this is requested by an exhibitor due to age or disability.*
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