APHA rule changes to benefit international exhibitors
Recent modifications to APHA rules were made at the APHA Convention, held in Nashville, Tennessee from September 30-October 2, that will directly benefit international exhibitors, particularly those showing young horses in Europe.
Two exceptions were approved allowing two-year-olds to compete, beginning in 2011, in the yearling longe line and in-hand trail classes in Zone 12, which encompasses all European countries. Points earned in these two classes will still be applied toward a Register Of Merit award, but will not count toward an APHA Championship or any other APHA awards.
The move came in response to years of requests from Europeans looking for additional opportunities to show their young Paints in-hand. In Europe, horses generally are not ridden before the age of three. The yearling longe line and in-hand trail classes have proved tremendously popular in Europe, and APHA clubs there frequently offer two-year-old longe line and in-hand trail as unapproved classes.
APHA Executive Director Lex Smurthwaite has been a long-term advocate for Paint Horse owners around the world. “I am happy that this rule exception was made for our European membership,” Smurthwaite said. “The decision provides more opportunities for members in Europe to enjoy their Paint Horses.”
A third rule exception will also benefit international clubs. APHA directors passed a rule proposal stating that no new shows may be submitted for approval the same weekends as Workshop and Convention in the U.S. and Canada. The Rules Committee approved an exception for Zone 12 (all European countries), Zone 13 (all South American countries and Mexico) and Zone 14 (Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand).
“The association understands that not all rule changes apply or benefit our international members,” said Smurthwaite. “Therefore we were very supportive of the rule exception. We realize that it is not always feasible financially for them to attend APHA meetings. While we would prefer that every APHA director and member join us for Workshop and Convention, in some cases, the best use of their resources is to sponsor APHA-approved shows and promote the breed in their home country at every opportunity. We wanted to give them that flexibility.”
The complete list of rule changes taking effect on January 1, 2011, will soon be available for download at www.apha.com/forms/rulebooks.html.
