The AQHA Executive Committee recently reviewed and approved various rules from the ranching committee. The full standing committee reports can be found at www.aqha.com/committeereports.
The highlights of the approved ranching committee recommendations, which are not subject to completing computer programming, are listed below.
SHW553.3. SHOW MANAGEMENT
Effective immediately, the wording “Entries close no later than one week prior to the event” will be deleted from SHW553.3.
The following rules, all effective June 1, 2017, include:
SHW416. RANCH RIDING AND SHW560 VRH RANCH RIDING
Show management is allowed to run AQHA Ranch Riding and VRH Ranch Riding concurrently if held within a full Versatility Ranch Horse show. If held concurrently, AQHA Ranch Riding rules (SHW416-419.7) would apply.
SHW556. VRH CLASS PARTICIPATION
While riding with a romal, a get-down rope may be used. A get-down will be defined as a small rope tied around the neck of a horse with a bowline or other non-slip knot and run back to the rider or tied to the saddle and used to lead, ground tie or tie the horse.
SHW563. VRH RANCH COW WORK
To clarify penalty in SHW563, the complete loss of rope will be judged as off-pattern and exhibitors cannot place above those who complete the pattern.
SHW563.3. CREDITS AND PENALTIES
1-Point Penalty: for a two-loop catch in amateur and youth
2-Point Penalties: failure to catch if roping in amateur/youth class
3-Point Penalties: two-loop catch when roping in open/cowboy class
5-Point Penalties: failure to catch when roping in open/cowboy class
SHW564. LIMITED RANCH COW WORK AMATEUR/YOUTH
Limited ranch work exhibitors are allotted 1 minute 30 seconds. Exhibitors are NOT required to use all of the allotted time.
Part Four – Drive the cow back down the fence past the middle marker and continue until judge blows whistle to show completion.
SHW565. VRH RANCH CUTTING
Modified and additional penalties include:
A. Hot quit (3-point penalty)
B. Changing cattle after a specific commitment ( 5-point penalty)
C. Failure to separate a single animal after leaving the herd (5-point penalty)
Additionally, application requirements for Ranching Heritage Breeder status will now include the addition of references, with at least one being a current Ranching Heritage Breeder and registering at least five foals annually.
For more information on AQHA’s rules and regulations, visit www.aqha.com/handbook.
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