This is the draft of the changes that are in the new AQHA rule book.  For the final wording and to see all of the changes, refer to your 2010 Handbook.  If you do not have a current rule book you should contact AQHA and request one.  That's the basis for all aspects of AQHA

2010 AQHA SHOW RULES
ALL RULES ARE EFFECTIVE AS OF JANUARY 1, 2010

SHOW MANAGEMENT
1.  Processing/Drug Fees:  Raise the existing show processing/drug fee of the current $3 for all shows held in United States and the current $2 fee for all shows held in California, International and Canada to be a $5 fee for all shows held in the United States except California and $4 fee for shows held in California, Internationally and Canada.

2.  Judges scores sheets for scored classes be posted at the show and submitted by Show Management to AQHA.

3. In multiple judges shows, in the timed events only, having one judge who can oversee/judge the class and sign the judges cards. The judge may sign multiple show cards for those classes only.

4.  Amend Rule 438(c) (5), that judge may not appear on the show grounds more than one hour before the judging.

5.  Require green patterns to be used in all green classes only.

6. Amend Rule 408(b) Amateur Division Approval to read, "management will combine these classes back into an all-age when there are less than 3 entries in amateur or select classes.

7. Amend Rule 448(j)(3) Performance Halter to exclude a Register of Merit in showmanship at halter to qualify for performance halter.
 ***All Performance Register of Merits earned before January 1, 2010, will be allowed to show in the Performance Halter class. All Amateur and Youth Performance Register of Merits earned January 1, 2010, and later will be required to have earned at least 5 riding points for that ROM to qualify for eligibility in the performance halter classes.***

8. Amend Rule 448(j)(3) Performance Halter by allowing a horse with a racing register of merit to be eligible to compete in all divisions.

9. Allow a horse with any performance register of merit, except showmanship; be eligible to compete in all divisions of performance halter.

10.  Add a working cow horse class that is just a boxing class for Novice Youth and Novice Amateur only.  (Class Code is 3164 and 5164)

11.  To accept the Dressage task force recommendations including:
      a. Approval
         - Establish at USEF/USDF licensed competitions
         -AQHA class held within existing class starting with Training Level 4
         -AQHA approval fee of $50 sanctioned 60 days in advance
      b. Eligibility
        - Must be AQHA registered horse and current individual member for exhibitor
        - Open, amateur and youth eligibility based on AQHA criteria
        - Competition license fee of $85 for lifetime of horses paid to AQHA
        - Exhibitor must declare division (open / amateur / youth) with AQHA
        - AQHA to supply information to USDF
      c. Awards
       - At each of the nine USEF/USDF Regional Championship show in 2009 an AQHA  trophy will be awarded to the three high-point registered quarter horses competing in championship class with the highest percentage score for open, amateur and youth divisions. Entry must have a minimum 60% score. 
      d. Point conversion
        - Accept AQHA point conversion from percentage score for Training Level 4 and above.
      e. Create a High Point recognition program for the open, amateur and youth divisions for 1st through 10th place for each division and the highest award to the highest point earning registered American Quarter Horse in each division including points earned in Training Level 4 through Grand Prix. 
      f. Judges
        - Accept USEF/USDF licensed judges
       - Must have current AQHA membership
       - Abide by AQHA rule 438 Judges

12.  Amend rule 477(e)(1) Open Ranch that this division is open to all horses, regardless of ownership or trainer.

13.  Withdraw green classes from the Incentive Fund program.

14.  Incentive Fund is not to be paid on points earned at Introductory shows.

15.  Amend rule 441(k) Humane treatment by adding additional verbiage under each discipline section to encourage adherence to and awareness of humane treatment of horses as approved by the Show Council. 

CLASS RULE CHANGES
1.  At the “promoters option” they may restrict any wrong numbered cattle across the line in team penning.

2.  Amend rule 443(e) Western Equipment concerning romal to read “Whenever this handbook refers to romal it means an extension of braided or round material attached to closed reins.”

3. Amend rule 443(h)(2)(e) Western Equipment, Prohibited Equipment, by adding the wording “Chain, wire, metal tie-down or bonnets are prohibited, regardless if they are covered.

4.  Amend rule 470(g) Breakaway Roping by changing the wording to read “A legal catch is a loop that passes over the head of the calf and then holds on any part of the calf to cause the string to break away from the saddle horn”. 

5.  Add wording to rule 443(a) to read “A hackamore must use a complete mecate rein, which must include a tie-rein.

6. Trail, rule 454B(f), change the third item under “1 point penalty” to read: both front or hind feet in a single-strided slot of space at a walk or jog”.

7. Trail, rule 454B(f), add to “1 point penalty” – “Incorrect number of strides, if specified.”

8.  Trail, 454B(f) Trail, change the fourth item under “3 point penalty” to read: stepping outside the confines of, falling or jumping off or out of obstacle, with designated boundaries, with one foot…and the fifth item under “5 point penalty” to read: stepping outside the confines of, falling or jumping off or out of obstacle, with designated boundaries, with more than one foot.

9.  Trail, under rule 454B(f) and Western Riding 453 B(f) add under “5 point penalty” “Holding saddle with either hand.”

10.  Western Riding, rule 453(f), delete the words “and #3” from the 8th item under “Disqualified – 0 score”

11.  Western Riding, rule 453B(f), add rule under “Disqualified – 0 score”, “Failure to start lope within 30 feet of designated area in patterns 2, 3, 4, 5 and Green Western Riding patterns 1, 2 and 3 (except for novice classes). 

12.  Change rule 444 (1)(a) English Equipment to read “Spurs of the unrowelled type that are blunt, round or that include a smooth rolling rubber ball and no longer than one inch.”

13.  Change rule 445 (c) English optional Equipment to read “Gloves, spurs of the unrowelled type that are blunt, round or that include a smooth rolling rubber ball and no longer than one inch and crops and bats are optional.”

14.  Add wording, “mount and dismount, to rule 475B Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat.  Eliminate the wording “mount and dismount”.

15.  Adopt a rule in the Working Ranch class that if the rope falls off saddle during the class it would be considered equipment failure thus resulting in a score of zero. 
 
16. Amend working ranch horse pattern III by changing the first maneuver to “run past the center marker and do a sliding stip. Back approximately 10 to 15 feet to the center.
 
17. Amend working ranch horse pattern III by eliminating the backing at the end of the pattern.

18. Adopt from Performance classes, rule 450(t), to allow versatility ranch horse exhibitors to hold the saddle with either hand.

19.  Change rule 450(t) Performance Classes to read “Holding the saddle horn with either hand will be penalized and may be disqualified at the judges discretion unless covered by specific class rules”.

20.  Approved Rule 470(d) Breakaway Roping to read “If the roper is carrying one rope and the roper desires to use a second loop, he/she may recoil provided the rope is still tied by a string to the saddle horn.  If the rope is no longer attached to the saddle horn with the string after the roper has thrown the first loop, it cannot be rebuilt for a second throw.  If the roper is carrying two loops he may use the second loop provided it is still attached to the saddle horn with a string.  If the second loop falls loose, it cannot be rebuilt”.