2024 AQHA Show Rule Changes

Review the latest AQHA show rule changes, which are now supported by AQHA programming and will be effective January 1, 2025.

From AQHA:

Each year, the American Quarter Horse Association Executive Committee reviews and approves rule changes from the AQHA Show Committee, which are approved by the AQHA membership and AQHA Board of Directors at the annual AQHA Convention.

Committee recommendations are reviewed for feasibility based on a variety of criteria, including but not limited to available resources, budget constraints and necessary computer programming. Careful consideration, discussion and debate are devoted to each item at the time of approval.

“We are proud to roll out these member-driven rule changes, which were voted on at the AQHA Convention,” said Scott Neuman, AQHA director of competitions. “The goal of the show department and AQHA is to implement and monitor member-driven programs in all areas of competition.”

AQHA Rule Changes

• Amend SHW528.7 to require legal breakaway roping catches to be a bell collar catch, defined as the loop must pass over the calf’s entire head and then secure on the neck with no extremities in the loop and catch in front of the tail head.
• Amend SHW606.2 to allow horses to be cross entered in Working Hunter Under Saddle and Hunter Under Saddle in different divisions at the same show.
• Add ProRodeo Hall of Fame members as ineligible for Level 2 at the AQHA World Show in their respective class, effective beginning at the 2024 AQHA World Show.
• Amend SHW252.1 to raise the Rookie earnings limit for horses to $5,000 from $1,000.
• Amend SHW108.3 to allow special events to offer up to three class types per event.
• Amend SHW246 and SHW247, effective beginning at the 2024 AQHA World Show.

SHW246 If an exhibitor wins a class at the Level 1 Championships, he/she is no longer eligible to compete in all exhibitor age divisions and/or sex divisions in that class at that level or lower at any future Level 1 Championships. However, if an exhibitor is Level 1 eligible, he/she may continue to show in that class in Level 1 competition. Exhibitors who won a walk-trot class are eligible to show in the Rookie or Level 1 division of that class at future Level 1 Championships. Exhibitors who won a Rookie class are eligible to show in the Level 1 division of that class at future Level 1 Championships.

SHW247.1 If an exhibitor wins a Youth or Amateur class at the Level 2 Championships, he/she is no longer eligible to compete in all Youth or Amateur exhibitor age divisions and/or all sex divisions of that class at any future Level 2 Championships for the subsequent 3 years. However, if an exhibitor is Level 2 eligible, he/she may continue to show in that class in Level 2 competition.

SHW247.2 If an exhibitor wins an Open class at the Level 2 Championships,

except for heading and heeling, he/she is no longer eligible to compete in all

Open, Amateur and Youth age divisions and/or all sex divisions of that class at

any future Level 2 Championships for the subsequent 3 years. However, if an

exhibitor is Level 2 eligible, he/she may continue to show in that class in Level 2 competition. For example, if you win L2 Open, cannot return to L2 Amateur or L2 Youth.

SHW247.3 If a horse wins an Open class at the Level 2 Championships, the horse is no longer eligible to compete in all Open age divisions and/or all sex divisions of that class at any future Level 2 Championships for the subsequent 3 years. However, if the horse is Level 2 eligible, the horse may continue to show in that class in Level 2 competition.

• Amend the Performance Halter World Show requirements so that a horse must have earned 10 performance points during the qualifying period or have earned 50 lifetime performance points (excluding Showmanship) to be eligible for the Performance Halter at the World Championship Show, provided the horse meets other Performance Halter World Show eligibility requirements. Points must be earned in the open division for open performance halter classes and can be earned in any combination of open, amateur, and youth (excluding Level 1/Rookie youth/amateur) are required for youth/amateur classes.
• Add SHW311.10 to include Cavessons as English Optional Equipment for Jumping only.
• Amend SHW305.1 to read: “Hackamores shall be round in shape and constructed of uniform, smooth, braided rawhide or leather and have a non-metal flexible core. There must be at least 5 ½ inches on the underside of the noseband before any braided buttons. A hackamore must use a complete mecate rein, which must include a tie-rein. Absolutely no rigid material will be permitted under the jaws, regardless of how padded or covered. Horse hair bosals are prohibited. This rule does not refer to a mechanical hackamore.”
• Amend SHW310.2 English Optional Equipment, in jumping only, mechanical or jumping hackamores may be used.
• Amend SHW755.2 to allow the offering of Select amateur walk-trot classes.

All rules are effective January 1, 2025, unless otherwise noted.

The following new classes approved at the 2023 Convention are also available as AQHA-approved classes beginning January 1, 2025:

• Small Fry Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Trail, Ranch Riding and Showmanship
  • These classes will be walk-trot classes, available for exhibitors nine-years-old and younger who are Level 1 eligible. Exhibitors may not cross-enter any loping/canter class at that event.
• Level 1 Horse Non-Pro Western Horsemanship, Hunt Seat Equitation and Showmanship
  • To be eligible, horses may not have earned more than 10 points or $5,000 in that class, all divisions combined, as of October 31 of the previous year.
  • There are no eligibility restrictions on the exhibitor, youth and amateur exhibitors will show together.
• Equestrians With Disabilities Halter
  • All-age geldings and all-age mares classes will be available.
• Working Cow Horse Box Drive
  • To be eligible, exhibitors must not have ever placed in the top ten at any AQHA world championship show or NRCHA major event, earned 25 points or more, or more than $750 in working cow horse (fence work) classes.
  • Exhibitors may not cross-enter working cow horse (fence work) and box drive or boxing and box drive at the same show.
• Internationally Only (excluding Canada): In-Hand Trail and Longe Line
  • These classes will be available for yearlings through three-year-olds who have never been shown in a riding or driving class at an AQHA event.

Learn more about the Association’s rules and regulations in the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations.