Nach dem 2026 Leadership Gathering der APHA in Fort Worth (27. Feb.–1. März 2026) haben die State Directors 30 Regeländerungen beschlossen. Die meisten dieser Änderungen treten am 1. Januar 2027 in Kraft. Die Änderungen betreffen vor allem: Showklassen, Amateur- und Youth-Regeln, Novice-Eligibility, Organisations- und Richterregeln

Das offizielle APHA-Regelbuch 2026 finden Sie zum Download hier.

Im kommenden Jahr werden die Disziplinen Western Dressage, Amateur Walk-Trot Ranch Pleasure, Amateur Walk-Trot Ranch Trail und Youth & Amateur Green Pattern Horse Klassen eingeführt. Insgesamt sollen die APHA-Shows moderner und einfacher zu organisieren sein, mehr Einstiegsmöglichkeiten für Amateur- und Walk-Trot-Reiter schaffen und neue Disziplinen (z. B. Western Dressage) integrieren.



Bild: PHJ


Regeländerungen mit regulärer Umsetzung zum 1. Januar 2027:

• CONTROL #ART-VI—Reduces the number of years before a state director is elevated to lifetime director-at-large from 25 years to 12 years. (68 votes for, 15 votes against; passed with 81.93%)
  
  
• CONTROL #ART-VI-1—Provides the option to verify state director/alternate attendance electronically or by answering roll call. (58 votes for, 24 votes against; passed with 70.73%)
  
  
• CONTROL #ART VI-2—Streamlines the state director election process by shifting ballot preparation and eligibility verification to APHA staff. (70 votes for, 13 votes against; passed with 84.34%)
  
  
• CONTROL #SC-015-1—Specifies “an appropriate award” to specific award descriptions outlined in the rulebook for greater consistency. (81 votes for, 2 votes against; passed with 97.59%)
  
  
• CONTROL #SC-027—Create a Ranch Horse Versatility Award for Youth, Amateur and Open exhibitors. (59 votes for, 23 votes against; passed with 71.95%)
  
  
• CONTROL #SC-105—Allows Trail and In-Hand Trail to be judged concurrently when two shows are held back-to-back on the same date. (82 votes for, 1 vote against; passed with 98.80%)
  
  
• CONTROL #SC-115—Provides exception to the APHA-approved show management certification requirement for secretaries at APHA special events. (77 votes for, 6 votes against; passed with 92.77%)
  
  
• CONTROL #SC-125—Clarifies that paper-based judge evaluations are no longer required for approval of future shows. (72 votes for, 10 votes against; passed with 87.80%)
  
  
• CONTROL #SC-160-3—Provides consistency for definitions of “Immediate Family” throughout Amateur and Youth rules. (83 votes for, 0 votes against; passed with 100%)
  
  
• CONTROL #SC-246—Removes eligibility exceptions for all Green classes relating to lower points for Zones 12, 13 & 14 to align with U.S. rules. (78 votes for, 4 votes against; passed with 95.12%)
  
  
• CONTROL #SC-302—Adds Amateur Walk-Trot Ranch Riding as an APHA-recognized class. (76 votes for, 6 votes against; passed with 92.68%)
  
  
• CONTROL #SC-302-2—Adds Youth Walk-Trot Ranch Riding as an APHA-recognized class. (78 votes for, 4 votes against; passed with 95.12%)
  
  
• CONTROL #SC-303—Adds Youth Walk-Trot Ranch Rail Pleasure as an APHA-recognized class. (79 votes for, 4 votes against; passed with 95.18%)
  
  
• CONTROL #SC-303-1—Adds Amateur Walk-Trot Ranch Rail Pleasure as an APHA-recognized class. (76 votes for, 6 votes against; passed with 92.68%)
  
  
• CONTROL #SC-304—Adds Amateur Walk-Trot Ranch Pleasure as an APHA-recognized class. (76 votes for, 6 votes against; passed with 92.68%)
  
  
• CONTROL #SC-305—Adds Amateur Walk-Trot Ranch Trail as an APHA-recognized class. (76 votes for, 6 votes against; passed with 92.68%)
  
  
• CONTROL #SC-311—Updates soundness guidelines for Ranch Conformation to be consistent with other halter class rules. (83 votes for, 0 votes against; passed with 100%) CONTROL #SC-315—Adds Western Dressage as an APHA-recognized class. (73 votes for, 10 votes against; passed with 87.95%)
  
  
• CONTROL #JU-000—Removes 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. (71 votes for, 12 votes against; passed with 85.54%)
  
  
• CONTROL #AM-015—Allows Amateur exhibitors to add designation for Amateur Walk-Trot Showmanship to their Amateur card while still competing in loping riding classes. (60 votes for, 21 votes against; passed with 74.07%)
  
  
• CONTROL #AM-080—Modifies 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. (74 votes for, 9 votes against; passed with 89.16%)
  
  
• CONTROL #AM-085—Allows immediate family members to show the same horse in the same Amateu