COMPETITORS & EXHIBITORS 
Standard Rules & Regulations 

*updated on the 02/06/2021 by admin
  • Please make sure all your paperwork is in order before trying to enter our events. Rego's pending must be uploaded on the AHSA database by the day prior to show date at the latest. 
  • Your exhibit must be registered/recorded with the AHSA to show at APAHO unless stated otherwise.
  • The exhibit must be entered in the registered owners name. Please seek written approval from the registered owner and attach it to your entry if you are not the listed registered owner. 
  • APAHO members receive discounts so please consider becoming a member. See the Membership Apply page to join. Membership is NOT compulsory and you can still compete at our standard fee rates.
  • DAY INSURANCE: To be exempt from Day Insurance competitors must be a member of  APAHO otherwise a compulsory participation fee of $15 per person/ per day will apply. This includes ALL third party Handlers and Riders.
  • Un-sportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated. You will be disqualified from the event in its entirety. 
  • PROPERTY OF OTHERS: Interfering with another competitors property or horse will not be tolerated. You will be disqualified from the event in its entirety. 
  • STEALING: Stealing of any property at our events will be reported to police and may attract police attendance and investigation.
  • RING ETIQUETTE: Correct ring etiquette needs to be upheld by all competitors in both saddle classes and halter classes, if we witness anything that is seen or interpreted by us as unfair play you may be penalized or disqualified at the ring masters discretion. 
  • SCORE CARDS: Make sure you are familiar with our score cards before entering. Our scoring system includes penalties for things such as; excessive make-up, excessive face balding, whip abuse and intimidation. 
  • INSUFFICENT NUMBERS: Scheduled events will not run without sufficient exhibit numbers, if this occurs competitors entry fees will be refunded. Please allow 14 days for standard cancellation processing as this is handled by a third party STRIPE.  (We will not reimburse your stable hire at the SEC or any other grounds where stables are not handled specifically by us)
  • COVID: Covid-19 or Government Restrictions Cancellation: In the event the organizers must postpone the show to new dates due to a situation out of their control or government law restrictions, sponsorship funds and entry fees will be transferred to the new prospected dates.  In the event the organizers must fully cancel the show due to any situation out of their control or government law restrictions, refunds will be granted. Refunds of entry fees and/or financial sponsorship will be refunded under written request. Please allow 28 days for processing if the event is cancelled due to means out of the organizer's control.
  • ARENA FAMILIARIZATION: Our shows are 'Exciting' we do have a lot going on from camera crews to large marquees and lots of props in center ring so please ensure you have prepared your horse adequately for this type of environment or feel free to attend the arena familiarization sessions prior to the show starting.
  • PRIZE MONEY  Will be awarded on sashing unless we offer an 'awards after party' where the prize money will then only be available during the ceremony at the organizers discretion and not before under any circumstances. Please do NOT ask officials to release award money early as their refusal may offend. Competitors/Winners that do not attend will forfeit all winnings of cash won during the event. 
  • HORSE INJURIES: Horses presenting with lameness, injuries or illness of any kind will be disqualified for that class and all other classes thereafter for that day, at the event. 
  • Please leave the venue grounds tidy, please place rubbish and horse manure in the bins supplied at the grounds. In the event we are using open parkland, ovals or similar please empty any clean excess water on gardens, trees or lawns. Please supply your horse with either a secure tie method, float yards, electric yards or alike where pens, holding yards or stables are not available. 
  • SPECTATOR SAFETY: Please be mindful we may have non horse people attending the events as spectators including young children, please take the time to safely navigate your horse through any public areas to avoid any safety issues.
  • JUDGES: are to be respected at all times, the judges decision on the day is final. Should you have a judgement against another competitor please address your concerns to an APAHO official (ie; horse registration is in question or similar) 
  • CLASS CHANGES: APAHO reserve the right to combine, change or cancel classes that are not well supported.
  •  ALL BREEDS: APAHO reserve the right to include 'All breeds of Show Horses or Breeding Horses' to their events by invitation to compete in specialty classes or additional classes within their programs. 
  • LIVE - STREAM: The APAHO events are run for the worldwide positive promotion of the Arabian horse, therefore shows and events run by APAHO may be live-streamed by professional production crews, please check the shows brief before entering, do not submit an entry if you do not consent to yourself, your team and your exhibit being filmed or photographed.
  • HEIGHT CERTIFICATES: Some saddle classes may require a height certificate or an age verification check, please make sure you can provide proof of these on the day should you be asked by an APAHO official. 
  • EXHIBIT NUMBERS: All exhibits must be wearing their 'Exhibit Number' in the show ring. Numbers will be supplied in competitor packs.
  • REFUNDS: No refunds of entry fees will be granted for any reason other then by vet certificate clearly stating the exhibit was injured or unwell and was therefore unable to attend on the show dates, signed by the vet. Refunds upon a valid vet certificate will be strictly for class fees only, all other fees will be retained by the association.
  • STALLIONS: All Halter Stallions must be handled by an experienced person aged at least sixteen years plus. Performance Stallions must be ridden by an experienced person aged at least sixteen years plus. Performance Pony Stallions must be ridden by an experienced person aged at least fourteen years plus. 
  • NEWCOMER: A horse that has not competed under saddle (with the exception of Racing/Endurance) in any State/Territory in which the horse resides and is registered prior to the 1st January of the calendar year they are competing in. A Pony that has only competed in Leading Rein or Miniature Turnouts and has not competed off the lead is eligible to be considered a Newcomer. A horse that has competed in breed classes under saddle prior to the determined date is not eligible to be considered a Newcomer. 
  • HANDLER OUTFITS: conservative sensible clothing and enclosed footwear are to be worn. (Not permitted: Low cut tops, singlets, tops without short or long sleeves, shorts of any kind, denim jeans, see-through tops or pants)
  • RIDER OUTFITS: As per the current society rules for riding attire, unless states otherwise
  • TOP HATS: We permit the use of Top Hats for all senior riders at our shows.
  • SPORTHORSE: As per the society definition of an Arabian sport horse.  All horses are to present in either a plain leather halter or plain leather snaffle bridle, minimal horse makeup/grease. Handlers are to present in either hunter riding attire or conservative handler attire. 
  • API RECORDED HORSES: API recorded horses will no longer we seen as an Arabian Derivative by APAHO.      API recorded horses will only be able to compete within their own division which will be structured specifically for them. (Rule amended 02/06/2021 to run in line with the proposed new ruling of the society)
  • STABLES & CAMPING: All stables, camping or bunkers must be arranged, booked and paid for in full prior to close of entries. They will not be available to book after closing dates.
  • STABLE FINES: Fines will now be issued to all competitor that leave their hired stable or breezeway unclean at the RAS venue. Fines will be issued to the competitor that was assigned to the stable number left unclean, regardless if you have switched stables with another person during the day without our knowledge. 
  • UNRULY HORSES: Any horse regardless of sex that demonstrates unruly, dangerous behavior in the ring or marshalling zones will be disqualified. 
  • INSURANCE: Any competitor, handler or rider entering the APAHO show ring without previously signing a liability waiver and/or paying their day insurance will be immediately disqualified from the event in its entirety along with the horse in which they are handling and/or riding at time of disqualification. It is the responsibility of the horse owner/entrant to ensure that their third party handler/rider is covered by APAHO insurance before entering the show ring. 
  • HANDLERS & RIDERS: Handlers and Riders must be nominated for each horse for each class by close on entries. Handlers and Riders may no longer be changed on the day unless due to injury or illness to the original nominated handler and/or rider.