I have requested to have the five second penalty rule for hats falling off in the arena during AQHA shows to be removed in the following timed events of barrel racing, pole bending, and stake race. I have never lost my hat during a run at an AQHA show, but I saw a little girl loose her hat after passing the timer this past week at show and she was penalized. I started thinking how stupid this rule really was, as far as the PRCA, WPRA, and NBHA do not give you a time penalty just in some cases a hat fine.. So I have filed all of the proper paper work to have this rule deleted from the 2011 rule book. It is my understanding that a list of proposed rule changes will hit the AQHA website sometime prior to the AQHA Convention to be held in early march 2010.. Please go on line and show your support of these rules being deleted. It doesn't promote the sport of barrel racing in AQHA to penalize the rider five seconds for loosing their hat anywhere in the arena and in some AQHA shows I have been to the judge considered the alley part of the arena. The AQHA World show is still a very prestigious event to aspire to for barrel racers and many of the WPRA were in attendance this year in OKC, so barrel racers please speak up to have our voices heard by the powers that be at AQHA. Let me know your thoughts for the betterment of the industry, we can work together and get this change processed if enough barrel racers will speak up and help the change get passed.