Rulebook Reminders

APHA Judge Newsletter, September 2025

By APHA Director of Judges Sandy Jirkovsky

Helmets: SC-195

Our judging quiz this quarter focused on hunt-seat equitation, penalties and helmet types. Helmet legality is the No. 1 complaint I get from exhibitors and spectators. Please make yourself aware of this rule and what constitutes a legal and illegal helmet in APHA classes. As painful as it is to disqualify someone for not wearing a proper helmet, this rule must be enforced. It’s no different than an exhibitor coming into the show pen wearing a short-sleeve shirt or showing with other illegal equipment. 

Ranch Trail: SC-305

• Wrong Lead Penalties: Wrong lead or out of lead for 2 strides or less is a 1-point penalty—not 3-points—in Ranch Riding and Ranch Trail.  The 3-point penalty only incurs if the horse is out of lead or on the wrong lead for more than two strides in those classes. 
• Dally Types: Remember that the APHA rulebook states a full OR half dally is acceptable, but also goes a step further than the rulebooks of other breeds.

  From the 2025 APHA Rule Book, SC-305.J.6 (page 260):
  A full dally is bringing the rope one and a half times around the horn, from the front of the horn around the back, not from behind. A half dally is bringing the rope ¾ of the way around the horn, from the front of the horn around the back, not from behind. If the dally is done back to front it is not a legal dally and is considered an OP for APHA.

• I would like to also echo this reminder from AQHA Director of Judges Chris Benedict: 

“It has come to my attention that some judges have given an OP in the Ranch Trail classes on the drag when a rider has stopped to hang up the rope for the next contestant, un-dallied then reached down and pulled the drag up to the position it should be in. THIS IS NOT AN OP and in fact it may even be a credit. At least I can promise you the next contestant will be thankful for it.  This is the correct way to adjust the drag at the end of the maneuver.  Believe me, the person having to fix the drag each time appreciates the exhibitor pulling the drag into position.”

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