AQHA Rule Changes

AQHA releases the standing committee reports reviewed by the AQHA Executive Committee and approved by the AQHA Board of Directors in March 2011.

The American Quarter Horse Journal — In many cases, AQHA rule changes are the result of recommendations from AQHA members or the various AQHA standing committees.

Once approved at convention by the respective AQHA standing committees, the rule changes are then reviewed by the AQHA Executive Committee and approved by the AQHA Board of Directors. The Executive Committee has the final word on all rule changes except changes to the Association’s bylaws and any rules and regulations pertaining to the registration of horses.

This year’s rule changes include:
• Lip chains can be used in youth and amateur halter classes, with the exception of performance halter, versatility ranch horse conformation and weanling classes.
• Weighted tails are now allowed in show classes in an effort to curtail the illegal deadening of tails; a group has been assigned the task of determining the maximum weight allowed.
• A change to Rule 405(m), which alters the number of horses that can be shown by an individual exhibitor in a class at only the 2011 AQHA World Championship Show.

AQHA standing committee reports are available to the public.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal or America’s Horse, visit AQHA Publications.