8 Early Implementation Rules Go into Effect April 2, 2025
Image credit: Paint Horse Journal.
By Jessica Hein, PHJ News:
The following rule changes passed at the 2025 APHA Leadership Gathering with early implementation and will go into effect April 2, 2025.
Control #RG-105 was also passed with early implementation, but will not go into effect on April 2. This rule change, which eliminates the need to apply for an Enrollment for Breeding status on APHA stallions, requires significant computer programming for accommodation. The programming is still in progress and this rule will go into effect at a later date, which will be announced by APHA as soon as possible.
The full text for each rule can be found in the Rule Change Resolutions link on the APHA website, apha.com/rule-book. This document includes the full list of rules passed at the 2025 Leadership Gathering. The updated 2025 APHA Rule Book reflecting the early implementation rules will be posted by April 2.
Early implementation rules in effect April 2, 2025:
- CONTROL #GR-040—Broadens the areas under which a reply to a reasonable request is required to aid in research and investigations of matters outlined in the rulebook.
- CONTROL #GR-060—Allows the association to take action against members who have been indicted and/or convicted in a court of law of an offense involving inhumane treatment or cruelty to animals.
- CONTROL #SC-105-4—Allows ancillary judges to judge any class at a show instead of being limited to individual work classes, as long as they are aligned with the same primary show judge throughout the event.
- CONTROL #SC-110—Removes the requirement to line up in order of placings under each judge to follow current practices, but still requires that shows recognize placings.
- CONTROL #SC-286—Changes the acceptable barriers in steer stopping from only a rope barrier to a rope barrier or an electric eye.
- CONTROL #SC-290—Failing to lope for a minimum of ¾ of the pattern will be a disqualification in speed events.
- CONTROL #AM-110—Eliminates the line up and the rail work in hunt-seat equitation for International Zones 12, 13 and 14 in the Youth and Amateur divisions, making it possible to show up to two horses in hunt-seat equitation.
- CONTROL #AM-115—Eliminates the line up and the rail work in Western horsemanship for International Zones 12, 13 and 14 in the Amateur and Youth divisions, making it possible to show up to two horses in Western horsemanship.
