Due to COVID-19 and the reopening of equine events in many states, the APHA Board of Directors has immediately approved the temporary removal of touch-point obstacles in all APHA trail classes; these obstacles include rope drags, gates or carrying an obstacle.
The variance addresses rule SC-301.E Ranch Trail, which requires opening, passing through, and closing a gate and a rope drag as mandatory obstacles. These obstacles that require exhibitors’ touch are being temporarily removed as obstacles.
In addition, the Board of Directors has temporarily eliminated touch-point obstacles in Open Trail (SC-250.I), Yearling In-Hand Trail (SC-192.E) and Utility Driving (SC-230.D). These include the gate, carrying an object, slicker, drag or pull, and mailbox.
These temporarily eliminated obstacles will eventually be reinstated by the APHA Board of Directors at some point in the future, when their inclusion is deemed safe. The health of our exhibitors and horses is always a primary concern for APHA, and this is just one way APHA is working to ensure their safety and well-being.