FORT WORTH, Texas—The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) recently approved a rule change allowing students to show a horse from their college’s equine program in the association’s Amateur and Novice Amateur divisions. Effective Jan. 1, 2006, the modification allows students a chance to compete that they might not have received otherwise.

“Currently, Amateurs and Novice Amateurs have to meet ownership requirements to show, which means they or a family member must own the horse,” said Jasmine Jones, director of APHA Amateur Activities. “This new rule expands that to allow them to show a college-owned horse if they are currently enrolled as a student and meet other criteria.”

The first criteria required for students to take advantage of this new opportunity is to qualify for Amateur or Novice Amateur status. Then they must submit an application that includes a signature from the college’s equestrian team coach or equine program instructor, a list of the horses on which the student wishes to compete, verification of the student’s enrollment in at least 12 credit hours, and a photocopy of their student identification.

For APHA purposes, the spring semester is designated from January 1–June 30, with the remainder of the year denoted as the fall semester.