AQHA Handbook

Get easy access to the official AQHA 2012 Handbook electronically or in print.

AQHA's "Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations" is updated yearly after undergoing careful scrutiny by AQHA. The Handbook represents corporation bylaws, rules and regulations of registration, rules and regulations of racing, rules and regulations of shows, amateur and youth division rules and regulations, Horseback Riding Program rules, and the constitution of AQHYA.

Get the free AQHA Handbook app for your smart phone or tablet device, or download the AQHA Handbook to your iBook, Nook or Kindle.

AQHA's Handbook answers all your questions regarding AQHA rules, showing patterns, horse markings, equipment guidelines and more.

Request the Handbook in the mail, or, download a PDF version of the Handbook by clicking the links below: 

• AQHA Mission Statement    
• Table of Contents 
• Policy Statement 
• Corporation Bylaws 
• General Rules 

• Registration Rules 
• Racing Rules 
• Show Rules 
• Horseback Riding Program & AQHYA 
• State Affiliates 

Guidelines for writing proposed rule changes:

Rule change proposals are accepted each year prior to AQHA Convention. Download a bylaw and rule change proposal form (PDF). Or, download a Word version of the form and e-mail to rulechanges@aqha.org.

• Define the problem and develop as many possible solutions as you can by asking others for input.
• Choose one possible solution that appears to be the most appropriate and that fits the mission and goals of AQHA.
• Determine if any other rules would be affected if your proposal were to be adopted, and specify the rule numbers.
• Submit proper wording for a proposed rule change by typing or neatly printing the exact wording being proposed. If you propose changes to existing language, strike through the words you propose to delete. Type in bold and italics the words you propose to add.
• Meritorious proposed rule changes submitted with sufficient documentation and specific explanations detailing reasons for the change will be assigned to the respective committee(s) and included on AQHA’s Web site with an invitation for members to submit comments. Rule changes submitted without sufficient documentation and specific explanations detailing reasons for the change will not be assigned to a committee.
• Define the problem and develop as many possible solutions as you can by asking others for input.