APHA Board of Directors Approve Rule Changes at 2012 Convention

Significant rule changes and actions were taken at the 2012 APHA Convention October 4–6 at the Fort Worth Hilton Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas. During the Board of Directors meeting, 18 rule changes were voted upon; two rule change proposals were defeated and 16 passed.

Four of the passed rule changes are profiled below. For complete information regarding all the rule changes approved for implementation, visit http://press.apha.com/pdfs/rulebooks/OnlineRuleChanges1012_.pdf.

· The Board of Directors approved a resolution that would provide that APHA business be conducted in one annual business meeting in the first quarter of the year. In 2013, the APHA Workshop will still be held in the second quarter; however, there will be no APHA Convention in 2013. Beginning in 2014, the APHA Convention will be held in the first quarter and it will be the sole annual business meeting going forward. The exact 2014 date and necessary adjustments to the Official APHA Rule Book will be determined after careful consideration by the Executive Committee, Rules Committee and staff.

· Rule RG-070-1 was passed adding a provision for horses with both sire and dam registered with AQHA, Jockey Club or the combination of these two registries. Effective January 1, 2013 (applications must be postmarked after January 1, 2013), horses eligible for registration with the American Quarter Horse Association or the Jockey Club will be eligible for registration with APHA if they meet the specific registration requirements which includes new color specifications. The qualifying area must be a minimum of four inches of solid white hair visible from a direct side view. Excessive white on the head or lower legs will not qualify the horse, nor will white areas located on the lower portion of the horse’s abdomen.

· Rule SC-060 was passed adjusting the point tabulation schedule. In the event a class only has two entries, the first place horse will be awarded ½ point. In classes of three to five entries, the first place horse will receive 1 point, and the second place horse will receive ½ point.

· Rule AM-205 was passed allowing an individual to re-qualify as a Novice Amateur in a category if they have not earned any performance points, money, or a World Champion or Reserve World Champion title in any recognized equine association in that category within the previous 10 years.
“We enjoyed a terrific Convention,” APHA Executive Director Billy Smith said. “We celebrated our 50th anniversary in style, hosted a big reception at our headquarters and welcomed our inaugural class of the APHA Hall of Fame.”

“Two rule changes will be very significant to our future operations,” Smith continued. “The move to one annual business meeting per year delivers important benefits. We’ll be conducting our preparations and the business of the association more efficiently and at less expense to the organization and the members who travel to attend. We feel combining the two meetings also will promote even better attendance.”

Commenting on the new registration rule Smith said, “This creates the opportunity to welcome new members—and the timing is really good for them because those completing registrations by February 28, 2013, can take advantage of our special 50th anniversary membership promotion.”

All approved rules will go into effect on January 1, 2013.

Download the Official APHA Rule Book today. Learn more about the rule change process at http://press.apha.com/pdfs/membership/rulechgchart.pdf; any APHA member, standing committee, the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee or the APHA staff may propose a change to the Official APHA Rule Book. Rule change proposals are due January 15, 2013.