2023 AQHA Ranch Rule Changes
Image courtesy AQHA
The AQHA Executive Committee recently reviewed and approved rule changes from the AQHA Ranching Committee. These were then approved by the AQHA membership and the Board of Directors at the 2023 AQHA Convention in February.
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.
All rules are effective January 1, 2024, unless noted otherwise.
The highlights of the approved Ranching Committee recommendations are listed below.
AQHA Rule Changes
- Offer Ranching Heritage Challenge Team Roping as RHC Team Roping – Heading and RHC Team Roping – Heeling.
- Modify SHW306.4 Western: Optional Equipment to remove the use of protective boots, leg wraps and bandages in Ranch Riding, VRH/RHC Ranch Riding, Ranch Trail, VRH Ranch Trail and Working Western Rail.
- Modify SHW421.6 MANDATORY OBSTACLES AND MANEUVERS and SHW561.7 MANDATORY OBSTACLES AND/OR MANEUVERS. Ride over obstacles on the ground (natural logs are required). Walk, trot or lope may be used but only one gait is required.
- Walk-overs: Walk over no more than four logs no more than 10 inches high and spacing between 26-30 inches. The formation may be straight, curved, zigzagged or raised.
- Trot-overs: Trot over no more than four logs no more than 10 inches high. The space between logs or poles should be 36-42 inches. The formation can be straight, curved, zigzagged or raised.
- Lope-overs: Lope over no more than three logs no more than 10 inches high. No more than two logs may be used in succession. The space between the logs should be at least six to seven feet. The formation can be straight, curved, zigzagged or raised.
- Amend “praise” penalties by deleting “praise” as a five-point penalty in SHW422 Ranch Trail, SHW422.4 Ranch Trail, SHW560.3 VRH and RHC Ranch Riding, SHW561.10 VRH Ranch Trail, SHW561.11 VRH Ranch Trail, SHW562.2 VRH and RHC Ranch Reining, SHW562.4 VRH and RHC Ranch Reining, SHW563.2 VRH and RHC Ranch Cow Work, SHW563.2 VRH and RHC Ranch Cow Work, SHW564.2 VRH and RHC Limited Ranch Cow Work, and SHW565.2 VRH and RHC Limited Ranch Cow Work.
View more on AQHA’s rules and regulations.
The full standing committee reports are available at www.aqha.com/committee-reports.
