FAQ’s About the New AQHA Performance Halter Rule For 2022

Recently, AQHA announced a set of rule changes that will go into effect January 1, 2022. Of particular interest to many readers was the rule related to Performance Halter.

Beginning January 1, 2022, the current Performance Halter eligibility rules will apply (see SHW365.3) and/or horses that are competing in a performance class at the same show may also be shown in performance halter. Horses must be ridden or driven at that show. Walk/Trot classes and Showmanship don’t count as eligible performance classes. The exemption for horses that have earned a Racing Register Of Merit (ROM) still apply.  

AQHA was kind enough to provide a Q&A related to the new rule, which can be viewed below.

1. Is a performance ROM still required? No, however, if a horse doesn’t have a performance ROM, it must be shown in a performance class under the same show number.
2. Does the racing ROM exempt horses from needing to have a performance ROM? Yes.
3. Does the racing ROM exempt horses from needing to be shown in a performance class at the same show where they’re showing in performance halter? Yes.
4. Showmanship is a performance class. Does it count towards the requirement of one performance class? a. No. b. Walk-Trot classes also don’t count as fulfilling the requirement.
5. I want to show in performance halter, but I only compete in cattle classes, and there are none of those classes offered at the show. What are my options? If a horse has its performance ROM, the requirement of showing in a performance class at the show is not applicable.
6. I’m a Level 1 Amateur exhibitor. Do my level 1 classes count for the performance class requirement? If the level 1 classes do count, will walk/jog classes count? a. Yes, level 1 classes (except for Showmanship) do count towards the performance class requirement. b. No, walk/trot and walk/jog classes do not count toward the performance class requirement. c. Walk/Trot, Walk/Jog, level 1 amateur, and level 1 youth classes still do NOT count towards the performance ROM achievement.
7. I’m a rookie exhibitor. Will my rookie performance classes meet the requirement? Yes, rookie classes (except for Showmanship) do meet the performance class requirement.
8. Do I have to show in the same division for both performance halter and a performance class? a. At weekend shows, no. The horse can be shown in different divisions. For example, an open performance class will satisfy the requirement for an amateur or youth performance halter class, or vice versa. b. At the AQHA World Show, Yes. The horse must be shown in the same division for both the performance halter and performance class requirement.
9. How do weekend shows handle these entries? At the time of entry for a horse in performance halter, please ensure the horse does have a performance or racing ROM, or the horse is entered in a performance class (excluding walk/trot, walk/jog, or showmanship.) Performance halter and performance classes do not have to be in the same division.
10. What if the performance class entry is scratched after the horse has been shown in performance halter? If the horse does not have a performance ROM, the entry in performance halter will be disqualified.
11. What if performance halter is held at the beginning of a circuit, and the horse is able to show in its performance class for the first set of show numbers, but then the horse is scratched from performance classes for the second set of show numbers? In this example, the horse does not have a performance or racing ROM. The first set of show numbers will be ok as the performance class requirement was met. Performance halter entry for the second set of show numbers will be disqualified as the requirement was not met for that set of show numbers.
12. Do VRH performance classes count towards the performance class requirement? No, VRH classes do not cross over to count toward performance halter performance class participation.

Quick Reference

Does the horse have a racing ROM? Yes- meets requirement

Does the horse have a performance ROM in any division?

Yes- meets requirement

No- Horse must be shown in a performance class in any division; noting showmanship and walk/trot and walk/jog classes do not count.

Scenario- A horse is shown in open, amateur, and youth performance halter geldings by three different exhibitors. The horse must be shown in one performance class in any division under each show number.

Click to save the images below, from AQHA, for easy reference when you’re at a horse show.