02/28/2026
๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐๐ฅ๐ฌ | ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐
The following rule change proposals were passed out of committee for voting by APHA state directors at the ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ; state directors who are present for roll call at both State Director Meetings on February 28 & March 1, 2026, are eligible to vote on these proposals:
CONTROL -VIโReduces the number of years before a state director is elevated to lifetime director-at-large from 25 years to 12 years.
CONTROL -VI-1โProvides the option to verify state director/alternate attendance electronically or by answering role call.
CONTROL VI-2โStreamlines the state director election process by shifting ballot preparation and eligibility verification to APHA staff.
CONTROL -015-1โSpecifies โan appropriate awardโ to specific award descriptions outlined in the rulebook for greater consistency.
CONTROL -027โCreate a Ranch Horse Versatility Award for Youth, Amateur and Open exhibitors.
CONTROL -105โAllows Trail and In-Hand Trail to be judged concurrently when two shows are held back-to-back on the same date.
CONTROL -115โProvides exception to the APHA-approved show management certification requirement for secretaries at APHA special events.
CONTROL -125โClarifies that paper-based judge evaluations are no longer required.
CONTROL -160-1โRemoves the rule that the entry count of a class will be adjusted if a horse or exhibitor is disqualified due to being ineligible to enter the class.
CONTROL -160-3โProvides consistency for definitions of โImmediate Familyโ throughout Amateur and Youth rules.
CONTROL -246โRemoves eligibility exceptions for all Green classes relating to lower points for Zones 12, 13 & 14 to align with U.S. rules.
CONTROL -302โAdds Amateur Walk-Trot Ranch Riding as an APHA-recognized class.
CONTROL -302-2โAdds Youth Walk-Trot Ranch Riding as an APHA-recognized class.
CONTROL -303โAdds Youth Walk-Trot Ranch Rail Pleasure as an APHA-recognized class.
CONTROL -303-1โAdds Amateur Walk-Trot Ranch Rail Pleasure as an APHA-recognized class.
CONTROL -304โAdds Amateur Walk-Trot Ranch Pleasure as an APHA-recognized class.
CONTROL -305โAdds Amateur Walk-Trot Ranch Trail as an APHA-recognized class.
CONTROL -311โUpdates soundness guidelines for Ranch Conformation to be consistent with other halter class rules.
CONTROL -315โAdds Western Dressage as an APHA-recognized class.
CONTROL -000โRemoves the requirement for APHA judges to judge at least one APHA show per year, as long as the judge stays current on all APHA judge testing, continuing education and remains a member in good standing.
CONTROL -015โAllows Amateur exhibitors to add designation for Amateur Walk-Trot Showmanship to their Amateur card while still competing in loping riding classes.
CONTROL -080โModifies the Masters Amateur division age requirement from 45 & over to 50 & over, with a phase that allows those currently competing in Masters Amateur to remain grandfathered into the division.
CONTROL -085โAllows immediate family members to show the same horse in the same Amateur, Amateur Walk-Trot or Youth division events if the show splits the class by age division.
CONTROL -105โEliminates the line up in showmanship for Zones 12, 13 and 14 in the Amateur and Youth divisions, making it possible to show up to two horses.
CONTROL -117 (Amended)โCreates Non-Pro Green Pattern Classes to allow eligible horses to compete on an entry-level field in showmanship, horsemanship and/or hunt-seat equitation. This was amended to create separate Amateur Green Pattern Class (AM-117) and Youth Green Pattern Class (YP-117) rule change proposals, instead of using โNon-Proโ terminology.
CONTROL -205-1โRestricts the associations that affect an exhibitorโs Novice eligibility to APHA, AQHA and PtHA for points and titles. Money earned from any event or association will still count per existing rules.
CONTROL -205-2โModifies Novice eligibility to be based on earnings as of January 1 of the current show year, rather than the date of application, to make it consistent with Green class eligibility rules.
CONTROL -300โModifies the Masters Amateur Walk-Trot division age requirement from 45 & over to 50 & over, with a phase that allows those currently competing in Masters Amateur Walk-Trot to remain grandfathered into the division.
CONTROL -015โRemoves the ownership requirement in Youth and Youth Walk-Trot divisions, matching the Novice Youth rules.
CONTROL -109โRemoves the world and reserve world title limitation to Youth Walk-Trot 11โ18 division eligibility.
CONTROL -109-1โOmits wording that states Youth Walk-Trot 11โ18 division classes are not intended to be held at the APHA World Shows.
๐๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ก๐ก๐ค๐ฌ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ง๐ช๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐ง๐ค๐ฅ๐ค๐จ๐๐ก๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ฃ ๐๐ค๐ข๐ข๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐:
CONTROL -020โStipulates that a foal qualifying for Regular Registry under RG-020.A.1.b (generation rule) will be registered with the applicable pattern type per its DNA results.
CONTROL -090โPermits the use of soundalike horse names for APHA registration in select situations.
CONTROL -090-1โPermits the use of soundalike horse names for APHA registration provided they are spelled differently.
CONTROL -120โRecommends that prizes for Youth and Amateur loping divisions exceed value for those awarded in corresponding walk/jog divisions.
CONTROL -136โDefines the role of a scribe to assist the judge and complete accurate score sheets.
CONTROL -195-1โMoves specific attire verbiage for flat cap/fedora from individual rules to SC-195 English Attire and Personal Appointments.
CONTROL -251โAdjusts Green classesโ horse eligibility requirements from $2,500 to $10,000 in lifetime earnings.
CONTROL -301-1โEliminates the requirement to earn at least one point in a ranch cow class to be eligible for APHA year-end High-Point Ranch Awards.
CONTROL -205โExcludes Amateur exhibitors who have competed on a NCEA equestrian team from Novice status eligibility by discipline; they remain ineligible for 10 years after their final year of participation on the equestrian team.
CONTROL -300-1โAllows any Amateur or Novice Amateur exhibitor who is 62 years of age or older at the time of application to elect to show in Amateur Walk-Trot Showmanship (Walk Only).
CONTROL -300-2โEstablishes Amateur Walk-Trot eligibility guidelines based on points and titles earned, while providing an exception for those with physical limitations.
CONTROL -300-3โProhibits exhibitors from competing in the Amateur Walk-Trot division if they, at any time, are deemed ineligible for Amateur status according to APHA Amateur remuneration rules. This mirrors the Novice Amateur division rules.
Full verbiage of all rule change proposals can be found at apha.com/rule-book.
To be eligible for voting privileges, state directors must be present for live roll call at both 2026 Leadership Gathering state director meetings, which take place February 28 and March 1, 2026. Leadership Gathering eventsโincluding most meetings, parties and other social gatheringsโare open to all APHA members and Paint enthusiasts.
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