New AQHA Boxing Class Added!
It’s big news for the cow horse industry!

AQHA will offer more divisions for working cow horse boxing, cow horses may be shown in two-rein equipment and working cow horse Pattern 7 is altered.

In October, 2011, the American Quarter Horse Association Executive Committee approved several changes in working cow horse classes.

Earlier this year, the AQHA added the working cow horse boxing class, which was only offered for Novice Amateur and Novice Youth competitors. Beginning January 1, 2012, Amateur, Select and Youth competitors will also be able to enter boxing classes.

To be eligible to compete in a working cow horse boxing class, a rider cannot have shown down the fence three actual runs in any judged class or event. If a rider had entered a class that required competitors to go down the fence and he or she boxed the cow and pulled up before the run was completed, this would still count as a run down the fence.

Also, a competitor cannot enter a boxing class and the corresponding working cow horse class (i.e. amateur boxing and amateur working cow horse).

With this change, boxing will be offered at the 2012 AQHA World Championship Shows in the Amateur, Select and Youth divisions.

Exhibitors Can Compete in AQHA Competition in Two Rein Equipment

The AQHA also announced that working cow horse exhibitors will be able to show eligible horses in two rein equipment.

Beginning January 1, 2012, an AQHA show may offer a two rein working cow horse class, or, if no such class is offered, eligible horses may show in two rein equipment in Junior, Amateur, or Youth working cow horse classes.

A horse, of any age, is eligible to show in the two rein if it has never, in previous years, been shown down the fence in the bridle in any judged class or event.
Regardless of the class it is shown in, a horse may only be shown in two rein equipment for one year.

If a rider chooses to show his or her eligible horse in two rein equipment, the rider must use an approved bit. The bosal must be worn underneath the bridle.

While competing, the rider can only use one hand on the reins and the rider will be disqualified if he or she changes hands. However, any number of fingers between the reins will be permitted.

And finally, working cow horse Pattern 7 will change. Effective January 1, 2012, the AQHA pattern will call for three-and-a-half spins instead of two-and-a-half.