Performance Halter Eligibility Reminder

From AQHA:

Exhibitors competing in performance halter classes at the 2024 Nutrena AQHA and Adequan® Select World Championship Shows are encouraged to review published performance halter requirements ahead of the show.

Horses competing in performance halter at the Nutrena AQHA and Adequan® Select World Shows must abide by AQHA SHW365.3.1-.3 for Level 3 and Level 2 performance halter eligibility regarding having earned a Performance or Racing Register of Merit. If the Performance ROM was earned prior to the qualifying period (August 1, 2023 – July 31, 2024), the horse must have earned at least 10 riding/driving points in the open division (for open performance halter) or a combination of the open, amateur and youth divisions (for amateur and Select performance halter) during the qualifying period. Showmanship points do not count toward either the ROM or the 10 riding/driving points, nor do Level 1 amateur or youth points, or points earned at Introductory shows.

With the exception of racehorses that have earned a racing ROM, all other performance halter-eligible horses are required to also enter and legitimately compete in a Level 3 or Level 2 performance class of the same division (excluding showmanship). It is not necessary for the exhibitor in the performance class to be the same exhibitor as the performance halter class so long as the two different exhibitors are “immediate family members” in the amateur and Select divisions. Racehorses with two speed indexes of 80 or higher are qualified for life, and are not required to qualify, enter and compete in a performance class. When showing in the performance class, exhibitors must maintain the integrity of the class in which they are competing. Judges will adhere to AQHA Rule SHW910.5 when officiating, “eliminate any horse/exhibitor as an entry which he/she feels is in violation of the intent of AQHA’s prohibited conduct rules, or which he/she does not feel has legitimately attempted to exhibit the horse to the best of the horse’s ability.”

In 2020, the AQHA Executive Committee approved a rule change with respect to AQHA championship shows, stating that open, amateur, youth and Select competitors entering performance halter at an AQHA world show and using barrel racing, pole bending or stake race to fulfill the performance class requirement must complete the run, without disqualification, and with a clock time within 3 seconds of the fastest time, exclusive of any time penalties to be eligible for performance halter classes.

Level 1 Champion of Champions performance halter classes only require that the horse is eligible per AQHA SHW365.3 by having a performance ROM (in any division), racing ROM, or enter and legitimately compete in a performance class at the AQHA World Show (any level, any division except showmanship). Amateur exhibitors may qualify for the Level 1 halter classes by showing in their respective halter class at the AQHA East or West Level 1 Championships, earning at least 0.5 point, or showing at four AQHA-approved events.

For more information about the Nutrena AQHA and Adequan® Select World, visit www.aqha.com/worldshow.