2019 APHA Rule Change Proposal Run Down
By: Brittany Bevis
As a democratic organization, the American Paint Horse Association meets annually so national directors from across the country can gather to discuss and vote on rule change proposals submitted by members. The 2019 APHA Convention will take place March 1-3 in Fort Worth, Texas.
The 2019 list includes 22 rule change proposals that could affect everything from the number of Paint parents required for Regular Registry to the number of points allowed before a horse becomes ineligible for the Green division. Check out a few highlights below.
Control #RG-070-1 (early implementation requested for 4/1/19)
The Basic Idea- This proposal would amend the current registration rule from requiring two APHA registered parents to instead requiring only one, with the other being registered with AQHA, Jockey Club, or other international Thoroughbred Registry recognized by the Jockey Club, so long as the horse possess one Paint trait and genetic testing proves that it carries at least one Paint pattern gene.
More Details-
RG-070. Color Requirements
E. If a horse with at least one APHA-registered parent does not exhibit a natural Paint marking (as described in B-C above), or if eligibility cannot be determined based on photographs, Regular Registry status will be granted if the horse possesses one Paint trait (see G. below) and APHA genetic testing proves that the horse carries at least one Paint pattern gene.
Justification- The originators of this proposal reference the work of Dr. Samantha Brooks, who has 213 horses registered as solid in her database, and of that, 79 (37%) carry at least one Paint gene. Of the 79, 41 (52%) have one Paint parent. They extrapolated those numbers to the 4,006 horses APHA had registered as solid in 2017 suggesting that 37% or 1,482 horses may carry a Paint pattern gene and 772 (52%) may have one registered Paint parent.
They also reference Dr. Brooks as stating that a horse with one Paint parent, that possesses a Paint pattern gene, has just as much chance of producing a foal with color as a horse with two Paint parents that carry Paint pattern genes. The idea is to increase revenue for APHA, increase the number of regular registry horses, and increase the number of solid horses being genetically tested, and hopefully registered with APHA.
Control #RG-100 (early implementation requested)
The Basic Idea- This proposal would designate all breedings as “released” on a stallion report when it’s submitted to APHA.
More Details-
RG-100. Breeder and Breeder’s Certificate
B. A breeder’s certificate does not need to be signed by the stallion owner at the time of service so long as a stallion breeding report for that particular breeding year and dam is already on file with APHA. Upon submission of the breeding report to APHA, all breedings noted are considered released by the stallion owner.
Justification- The originators of this proposal believe that the “release of breeding” procedure is outdated and actually prevents mare owners from being able to register foals easily and promptly by way of APHA’s online feature, which also ensures the lowest registration fee. The idea is also intended to relieve burden on the stallion owner having to provide signed breeder’s certificates to mare owners.
Control #SC- 206 (early implementation requested for March 15th)
The Basic Idea- This proposal would increase the cap on points that a horse can earn before it must move out of the Green division from 10 to 25.
More Details-
SC-206. Green Hunter Under Saddle
D. Horses eligible to compete:
1. Horses in their first year of showing in Hunter Under Saddle or that have shown during previous years in any recognized equine association in any Hunter Under Saddle classes, but have not won 25 points or more, or a World or Reserve World Championship, or a bronze horse medal in EWU (Erste Westernreiter Union) as of January 1 of the current show year. Points from all divisions (except Walk-Trot) will count and are cumulative in determining eligibility. In addition, as of January 1 of the current show year, horses may not have won $2,500 or more in lifetime earnings under saddle in any Hunter Under Saddle class at any event in which the earnings are verifiable. Accuracy of eligibility is the responsibility of the owner and exhibitor and is subject to verification.
Changes applicable to Green Hunter Under Saddle, Western Pleasure, Trail, and Western Riding
Justification- The originator of this proposal would like for the cap on Green division points to be consistent with other breed associations that currently have 25 as the top and not 10.
Control #AM-085
The Basic Idea- This rule would prohibit stallions from being shown in Novice Amateur and Amateur Walk-Trot events.
More Details-
AM-085. Amateur General Show Rules
2. Stallions. Stallions are eligible to show in Amateur and Masters events. Stallions are not eligible to show in Novice Amateur or Amateur Walk-Trot events.
Justification- The originator of this proposal believes that allowing stallions to show in Novice Amateur and Walk-Trot classes presents a safety issue for all exhibitors. Furthermore, they reference the fact that stallions aren’t allowed to be shown in Youth classes within APHA and the same consideration should be made for Novice Amateur and Amateur Walk Trot events. Finally, stallions are prohibited from showing in Novice Amateur events in other equine associations, and this rule would bring APHA rules in line with the industry standard in this regard.
Click here to view the complete list of 2019 rule change proposals and their full explanations.
Helpful Links:
Click here to find the national director that represents your region.
