rULES 2025

---

PLEASE REFER TO THE AQHA VERSATILITY RANCH HORSE AND STOCK HORSE OF TEXAS RULEBOOKS.

INHUMANE OR ABUSIVE TREATMENT MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE SHOW MANAGEMENT, MEMBERS OF THE HORSE SHOW MANAGEMENT TEAM, AND/OR JUDGES. DECISIONS ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE AND FINAL.UNSOUNDNESS MAY BE PENALIZED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE JUDGE. THIS DECISION IS NOT SUBJECT TO PROTEST.  THE USE OF ANY STIMULANTS OR DEPRESSANTS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. ANY SURGICAL PROCEDURE OR DRUG THAT COULD AFFECT A HORSE’S PERFORMANCE OR ALTER ITS NATURAL CONFORMATION IS PROHIBITED. ONLY NSAIDS PRESCRIBED BY A LICENSED VETERINARIAN ARE ALLOWED (EX: PHENYLBUTAZONE IS LEGAL).ANY TIME A HORSE’S MOUTH IS TIED OR FASTENED IN A PERFORMANCE CLASS THE HORSE SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED.  ANY OPEN, RAW SORES OR BLEEDING BODY PARTS THAT COME IN CONTACT WITH A HACKAMORE, BIT, SPUR, OR RELATED EQUIPMENT MAY BE PENALIZED AT THE JUDGE’S DISCRETION.
 

PROPER WESTERN ATTIRE IS REQUIRED. RIDERS ARE ASKED TO WEAR A WESTERN HAT OR PROTECTIVE HEAD GEAR, COLLARED SHIRT, AND WESTERN COWBOY BOOTS. THE USE OF SPURS AND CHAPS IS OPTIONAL. CLOTHING SHOULD BE NEAT AND CLEAN. 

HORSES SHALL BE SHOWN IN A STOCK SADDLE. SILVER EQUIPMENT WILL NOT COUNT OVER GOOD, CLEAN, WORKING EQUIPMENT. HORSES MAY BE RIDDEN WITH A SNAFFLE, CURB, OR SPADE BIT. NO MORE THAN ONE FINGER IS ALLOWED BETWEEN THE REINS WHEN USING SPLIT REINS, EXCEPT WHEN RIDING IN A SNAFFLE. WHEN USING ROMAL REINS, NO FINGERS BETWEEN THE REINS ARE ALLOWED. DURING REINING, THE USE OF THE FREE HAND WHILE HOLDING THE ROMAL REINS TO ALTER THE TENSION OR LENGTH OF THE REINS FROM THE BRIDLE TO THE REINING HAND IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE USE OF TWO HANDS, AND A SCORE OF 0 WILL BE APPLIED, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ANY PLACE A HORSE IS ALLOWED TO BE COMPLETELY STOPPED DURING THE PATTERN. IN ALL OTHER CLASSES, RIDERS WILL BE CONSIDERED OFF PATTERN WHEN SWITCHING HANDS ONCE THEIR RUN HAS STARTED, INCLUDING SWITCHING FROM ONE TO TWO HANDS OR VICE VERSA. CURB BITS MUST HAVE A CURB CHAIN OR STRAP, AND IT MUST BE AT LEAST 1⁄2 INCH IN WIDTH AND MUST LIE FLAT AGAINST THE HORSE’S CHIN. NO WIRE CURBS ARE PERMITTED, REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF PADDING OR TAPE. MECHANICAL HACKAMORES ARE PROHIBITED. BOSALS OR NOSEBANDS ARE NOT PERMITTED WITH A BIT. TIE DOWNS, MARTINGALES, AND DRAW REINS ARE PROHIBITED. 

SHW307. WESTERN PROHIBITED EQUIPMENT SHW307.1 Protective boots, leg wraps and bandages are prohibited in western pleasure, trail, halter, western riding, showmanship, ranch riding, VRH/RHC ranch riding, ranch trail, VRH ranch trail, and working western rail.

ALL POINTS ARE ON A WEIGHTED SCALE. MUST COMPETE IN 2 RIDING CLASSES AND CONFIRMATION TO BE CONSIDERED FOR DIVISION CHAMPION, HIGH POINT GRAND CHAMPION AND SERIES CHAMPION.

- (A) THE NUMBER OF HORSES TO BE USED FOR COMPUTATION SHALL BE THOSE HORSES COMPETING; EXCLUDING THE NUMBER OF HORSES ENTERED BUT SCRATCHED FROM COMPETITION. THERE SHALL NOT BE A CAP PLACED ON THE NUMBER OF POINTS ABLE TO BE EARNED IN ANY ONE CLASS.

- (B) EXAMPLE: IF 20 HORSES COMPETE IN OPEN TRAIL, 1ST WILL RECEIVE 20 POINTS, 2ND WILL RECEIVE 19 POINTS, 3RD WILL RECEIVE 18 POINTS, ETC. 

THIS WILL ENSURE A WEIGHTED SCALE AND THAT EVERYONE RECEIVES POINTS REGARDLESS OF PLACING. 

AWARDS

Each division champion will receive a leather halter with a nameplate and rosette ribbon. The division reserve champion will receive a rosette ribbon along with a tack or other equipment. Additionally, we want to recognize the high point grand champion with a buckle and sash and the high point reserve grand champion with an embordered prize and sash. High point grand champion prize can range from a hat can, garment bag, boot bag, etc. Buckles will be awarded to series division champion and series high point grand champion.