Adequan® Select World competitors in performance halter classes are not subject to rule change in 2018; however, rule changes will go into effect for 2019 shows.

On December 31, 2017, the American Quarter Horse Association announced amendments to AQHA performance halter rules pertaining to the 2018 Lucas Oil AQHA World Championship Show, and on April 27, 2018, AQHA released changes to the AQHA performance halter rules for the 2019 Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show. Changes to the AQHA Select World Championship Show, presented by Adequan® (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan),will go into effect for the 2019 Adequan® Select World at the beginning of the show’s qualifying period: June 1, 2018 – May 31, 2019.

“The AQHA Executive Committee decided it was important to modify the qualification requirements for the performance halter classes to maintain the integrity of the original intent of the classes,” said Pete Kyle, AQHA chief show officer. “With only a few months left in the 2018 Adequan® Select World qualifying period, the Executive Committee felt it was important to not implement the rule changes for the Adequan® Select World until the beginning of the show’s 2019 qualifying period.”

The following rules apply to the 2019 Adequan® Select World.

1. For national qualifiers to be eligible to enter a Select Amateur Performance Halter class at the AQHA Select World Show, an amateur/horse combination must meet the requirements in a., b. and c. below:

a. earn the required number of points to qualify for Select Amateur Performance Halter at the AQHA Select World Show OR show at ten (10) shows in a performance halter class during the qualifying period (shows will be counted by show numbers on a one-horse/one-exhibitor basis);

b. earn a performance ROM in open, amateur or youth division during the qualifying period, or if the ROM is earned prior to the qualifying period, earn at least ten (10) riding/driving points in the open, amateur or youth divisions combined during the qualifying period (showmanship points DO NOT count in either the ROM or the ten (10) riding points, nor do Level 1 amateur or youth points or points earned at Introductory shows; however, Level 1 points in the open division will count toward the riding points in open and/or amateur); and

c. qualify for, enter and compete in a Level 3 or Level 2 Select Amateur Performance class other than Showmanship at the AQHA Select World Show. Race horses with two speed indexes of 80 or higher are qualified for life, and are not required to qualify, enter and compete in a Level 3 or Level 2 Select Amateur Performance class at the AQHA Select World Show.

If for any reason the horse does not show in a Select Amateur Performance class at the AQHA Select World Show, the horse will be disqualified from the Select Amateur Performance Halter class at the AQHA Select World Show and will NOT be counted as an entry in such class.  Any awards won in the Select Amateur Performance Halter must be relinquished. Entry fees are non-refundable.

The exhibitor in the Select Amateur Performance class at the AQHA Select World Show must be the same exhibitor that qualified the horse for the Select Amateur Performance class. Likewise, the exhibitor in the Select Amateur Performance Halter class at the AQHA Select World Show must be the same exhibitor that qualified the horse for the Select Amateur Performance Halter class. However, it is not necessary for the exhibitor in the Select Amateur Performance class to be the same exhibitor in the Select Amateur Performance Halter class so long as the two different exhibitors are “immediate family members” as defined by AQHA Amateur eligibility rules.

2. Please note that state invites are for Level 3 qualifiers only. For state invites to be eligible to enter a Select Amateur Performance Halter class at the AQHA Select World Show, an amateur/horse combination must meet the requirements in a., b. and c. below:

a. earn at least half the points set as the minimum to qualify in order to be invited as an affiliate/state invitee in each particular class, and be the top point earning horse/exhibitor combination in that class

For example: if the minimum number of points set to qualify for Select Amateur Performance Geldings  is 4, the invitee must have reached at least 2 points in order to be invited – note that if a class requires points that include .5 point, AQHA will round down and require half of THAT number. This program is operated by AQHA, not the affiliate, and exhibitors are invited based on the state in which they reside, not where they show. Once the qualifiers are run (around August 20th), AQHA will run the list of those that were top in their class but didn’t qualify. Those invitations will be sent out around August 25. If the first place horse/exhibitor is tied, all of those ties for first will be invited.  AQHA will not go below the first place points even if the first place duo will not be attending.

b. earn a performance ROM in open, amateur or youth division during the qualifying period, or if the ROM is earned prior to the qualifying period, earn at least ten (10) riding/driving points in the open, amateur or youth divisions combined during the qualifying period (showmanship points DO NOT count in either the ROM or the ten (10) riding points, nor do Level 1 amateur or youth points or points earned at Introductory shows; however, Level 1 points in the open division will count towards the riding points in open and/or amateur); and

c. qualify for, enter and compete in an Select Amateur Performance class other than Showmanship at the AQHA Select World Show. Race horses with two speed indexes of 80 or higher are qualified for life, and are not required to qualify, enter and compete in a L3 or L2 Select Amateur Performance class at the AQHA Select World Show.

If for any reason the horse does not show in an Select Amateur Performance class at the AQHA Select World Show, the horse will be disqualified from the Select Amateur Performance Halter class at the AQHA Select World Show and will NOT be counted as an entry in such class. Any awards won in the Select Amateur Performance Halter must be relinquished. Entry fees are non-refundable.

The exhibitor in the Select Amateur Performance class at the AQHA Select World Show must be the same exhibitor that qualified the horse for the Select Amateur Performance class. Likewise, the exhibitor in the Select Amateur Performance Halter class at the AQHA Select World Show must be the same exhibitor that qualified the horse for the Select Amateur Performance Halter class. However, it is not necessary for the exhibitor in the Select Amateur Performance class to be the same exhibitor in the Select Amateur Performance Halter class so long as the two different exhibitors are “immediate family members” as defined by AQHA Amateur eligibility rules.

The current rules pertaining to Select competitors will be provided in the 2018 Adequan® Select World Qualifiers handbook. The updated rule changes will appear in the 2019 Adequan® Select World Qualifiers Handbook.

For the most up-to-date version of the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations, visit www.aqha.com/handbook.

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