APHA Board of Directors Approve Rule Changes at 2012 Convention

PRESS RELEASE
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APHA Board of Directors Approve Rule Changes at 2012 Convention

Significant rule changes and actions were taken at the 2012 APHA Convention October 4–6 at the Fort Worth Hilton Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas. During the Board of Directors meeting, 18 rule changes were voted upon; two rule change proposals were defeated and 16 passed.

Four of the passed rule changes are profiled below. For complete information regarding all the rule changes approved for implementation, visit press.apha.com/pdfs/rulebooks/OnlineRuleChanges1012_.pdf.

• The Board of Directors approved a resolution that would provide that APHA business be conducted in one annual business meeting in the first quarter of the year. In 2013, the APHA Workshop will still be held in the second quarter; however, there will be no APHA Convention in 2013. Beginning in 2014, the APHA Convention will be held in the first quarter and it will be the sole annual business meeting going forward. The exact 2014 date and necessary adjustments to the Official APHA Rule Book will be determined after careful consideration by the Executive Committee, Rules Committee and staff.

• Rule RG-070-1 was passed adding a provision for horses with both sire and dam registered with AQHA, Jockey Club or the combination of these two registries.  Effective January 1, 2013 (applications must be postmarked after January 1, 2013), horses eligible for registration with the American Quarter Horse Association or the Jockey Club will be eligible for registration with APHA if they meet the specific registration requirements which includes new color specifications.  The qualifying area must be a minimum of four inches of solid white hair visible from a direct side view.  Excessive white on the head or lower legs will not qualify the horse, nor will white areas located on the lower portion of the horse’s abdomen.

• Rule SC-060 was passed adjusting the point tabulation schedule.  In the event a class only has two entries, the first place horse will be awarded ½ point.  In classes of three to five entries, the first place horse will receive 1 point, and the second place horse will receive ½ point.

• Rule AM-205 was passed allowing an individual to re-qualify as a Novice Amateur in a category if they have not earned any performance points, money, or a World Champion or Reserve World Champion title in any recognized equine association in that category within the previous 10 years.

“We enjoyed a terrific Convention,” APHA Executive Director Billy Smith said. “We celebrated our 50^th anniversary in style, hosted a big reception at our headquarters and welcomed our inaugural class of the APHA Hall of Fame.”

“Two rule changes will be very significant to our future operations,” Smith continued. “The move to one annual business meeting per year delivers important benefits.  We’ll be conducting our preparations and the business of the association more efficiently and at less expense to the organization and the members who travel to attend.  We feel combining the two meetings also will promote even better attendance.”

Commenting on the new registration rule Smith said, “This creates the opportunity to welcome new members—and the timing is really good for them because those completing registrations by February 28, 2013, can take advantage of our special 50^th anniversary membership promotion.”

All approved rules will go into effect on January 1, 2013.

Download the Official APHA Rule Book today. Learn more about the rule change process; any APHA member, standing committee, the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee or the APHA staff may propose a change to the Official APHA Rule Book. Rule change proposals are due January 15, 2013.

About the American Paint Horse Association
The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) is the world’s second largest equine breed association. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, it celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2012. In fulfillment of its global mission to collect, record and preserve pedigrees of the breed, APHA recognizes and supports 111 regional and international clubs, produces championship shows, sponsors trail rides and creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses. APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded, and now serves over 64,000 active youth and adult members around the world. For more information about the American Paint Horse Association, visit apha.com or connect with Paint Horse fans globally at facebook.com/americanpainthorse or on Twitter @APHANews and @WorldShow.