What Rule Changes are up For Consideration at the AQHA Convention?
By: Brittany Bevis
The start of a new year brings with it a new competition season. This provides an opportunity to review the policies and procedures of our respective breed associations to ensure that we’re growing and changing with the needs of the ever-evolving horse industry.
The AQHA Convention is a place where that will happen March 8-11 in Fort Worth, Texas. During the Convention, AQHA members will gather to elect the new AQHA Executive Committee, induct members into the AQHA Hall of Fame, and, most importantly, review and pass new rule changes.
AQHA has just released the standing committee agendas that contain the rule change proposals that will be voted upon at the Convention.
Scroll below to view a sneak peek of the more interesting proposals…
*Complete agendas links at the bottom of the page.
SNEAK PEEK:
Amateur
#7- Modify SHW240.3, Amateur and Youth Showing Leases, to allow during a lease period, the recorded owner to also show the horse as well as the recorded owner’s immediate family in addition to the lessee and the lessee’s immediate family. ** (Amateur & Youth recommendations to Shows as primary)
#10- Modify SHW245.3 Level 1 Eligibility, that any youth or amateur competing on an NCAA Equestrian Team on a scholarship or riding as a starting exhibitor should not be eligible for Level 1 in the classes for which they compete. (Amateur recommendation to Shows as primary)
Shows
Western and Timed Event Subcommittee
#1- Consider SHW452. Western Riding. Allow Western Riding patterns 1-4 to be performed the opposite of how they are currently set creating 4 additional patterns.
World Show Subcommittee
#3- Allow Dressage to become an event at the AQHA World Show.
#7- Consider changing the five judge system for Halter to four judges, only dropping the lowest score and keeping the highest score.
Awards, Recognition, and Marketing
#1- Add new rule to SHW800. General. Create an award for rider and horse whose combined ages total 100 or more, ‘Century Ride.’
Halter Subcommittee
#2- Amend rule SHW355.1 Halter Equipment. Reinstate the use of lip chains in all halter classes. – (member) (Show to make recommendation to Animal Welfare as primary)
Stud Book and Registration
#11- Amend REG104.2 to allow a horse to advance from the Appendix registry to the Numbered registry if it is 80% or greater foundation quarter horse as determined by the National Foundation Quarter Horse Association (NFQHA) or the Foundation Quarter Horse Association (FQHA) if it has not met performance requirements. **
#12- Amend REG127.2 to increase the age a horse is presumed deceased to 30 years of age. **
Click on the links below to view the full agenda links.
AQHA Standing Committee Agendas
- Amateur
- Equine Research
- International
- Judges
- Marketing & Membership
- Nominations & Credentials
- Public Policy
- Racing
- Ranching
- Recreational Activities
- Show
- Stud Book & Registration
- Youth Activities
If you haven’t reserved a room for the Convention yet, the rate for the Omni Forth Worth Hotel is $219 for a single/double bed, but reservations must be made before February 14th. Visit www.aqha.com/convention for more details.
Remember that if you’d like to vote at the Convention you must be an AQHA member at least 60 days prior to the first day of the event. In addition, “committee meetings are open to registered convention attendees and are conducted in two sessions – an open discussion session in which non-committee members can join in the discussion and a committee member discussion session in which the discussion is limited to committee members only. Occasionally, a meeting moves into a committee members only session per direction of the committee or chairperson.”
If you won’t be attending the Convention, but have an opinion about something on the Convention agenda that you’d like to share with an AQHA Director, a list of directors may be found in the Governance section of www.aqha.com/services.
Click here to view a schedule for the Convention- www.aqha.com/convention.
