Recently, horses like the gorgeous triple registered AQHA/APHA/PtHA Stallion, Living Large have raised the question, “What are the rules for registration?” It is hard to keep up with the ever changing rules and GoHorseShow wanted to break them down in a simplified fashion. These are simple reminders to try and clear up any confusion. Find out the details below.
APHA registration requirements state that the parents of the offspring must be registered to APHA, APQHA, APSHA, AQHA, the JC or any other Thoroughbred Registry recognized by the Jockey Club.
In order to qualify for AQHA registry, a foal must be one of the following three combinations:
- Registered Appendix x Registered Quarter Horse
- Registered Quarter Horse x Registered Quarter Horse
- Registered Thoroughbred x Registered Quarter Horse
Under AQHA registry, horses with “excessive white” with light colored skin are allowed into the registry, however, the rulebook states that it is “undesirable” and “uncharacteristic” of the breed.
According to the 2015 AQHA handbook, if a horse has more than a 1-inch diameter white spot (with light skin) in designated areas, then it must undergo DNA testing in order to receive registration from AQHA. The AQHA handbook also states that registered horses with excessive white are not permitted to be shown in halter classes.
These horses with excessive white marking are eligible for APHA registration. APHA Cropout registration allows horses without any Paint Horse lineage access to regular registry. At the 2015 Convention, the American Paint Horse Association passed a new rule to make registration for Cropout paints even easier. As of now, Paints “must have a natural Paint marking that extends more than two inches above the center of the knee or hock, or beyond an imaginary line that extends from the base of the ear to the outside corner of the eye to the corner of the mouth and under the chin.”
The triple registered, Living Large, is a great example of the APHA Cropout rules. Out of a TB mare and the Quarter Horse stud, These Irons Are Hot, Living Large is a fully registered Quarter Horse while his loud color qualifies him as a Cropout Paint, giving him full access to the regular registry. This is what allows him to compete in AQHA, APHA, and PtHA horse shows.
At the 2015 AQHA Convention, it was recently debated whether to allow APHA registered horses with 93.75% TB/QH blood into the registry. Even though this rule proposal was not endorsed by committee members, it still goes to the AQHA Executive Committee in April to be voted on. This change could potentially open up the registry to a new pool of horses and competitors.
