COVID-19 Guidelines & Rule Changes for ApHC Regional Shows
ApHC News
As regional shows begin to be held again with more regularity, ApHC has developed a set of COVID-19 guidelines for show organizers to consider when planning a show. Additional information is in the next issue of Appaloosa Journal but please use this as a check-list as you get organized for your upcoming show. It’s important that we work together to provide shows that can be safely attended by exhibitors and that, as equine industry professionals, we set a good example for those in our industry to follow. Perhaps most important is that once you’ve identified appropriate protocols for your event, be sure to spread the word to all potential participants so that they may arrive at the show prepared to comply.
Click here for a list of considerations as you prepare for the show.
Additionally, the ApHC Board of Directors has made the following recent rule changes effective for 2020 only. These are in direct response to COVID-19 concerns for the show year.
- In western showmanship and English showmanship, judges and exhibitors must remain at least 6 feet apart to maintain social distancing guidelines. Therefore, exhibitors should be instructed to stop at least 6′ from the Judge when setting up for and during inspection. Exhibitors shall not be penalized for stopping this distance from the Judge. Judges should be careful to maintain social distancing requirements when inspecting showmanship horses.
- Show management should eliminate any obstacle in trail or ranch trail classes that will be touched by all exhibitors (example gate, drag, mailbox, slicker, etc.). Judges should review patterns in advance of the show to ensure compliance with this requirement. The gate in trail classes is a required obstacle at National and World ApHC shows. However, the board of directors has voted to eliminate that required obstacle in trail classes at the upcoming World Championship Appaloosa Show and Youth World Show.
- Because there is no way to maintain social distancing in the rope race nor to have ropes at the finish line that would not be touched by multiple exhibitors, the ApHC board of directors has voted to withdraw approval for this class for 2020 and will not hold this class at the 2020 World Championship Appaloosa Show.
