Rule Change Proposal Decision
Earlier this year , the NWHA Rules Committee received numerous rule change proposals . These proposals were reviewed and approved by the Rules Committee and then brought to the Board of Directors . As per the Rule Change SOP , the Board of Directors sent the rule proposals to membership for feedback and communicated the proposed rule changes in the July issue of the NWHA news . The comment period was open for 60 days and closed on September 1st .
The Rules Committee again reviewed the feedback from the membership survey , approved all changes , and sent the proposals to the Board of Directors for approval . The Board of Directors reviewed all membership comments , the approval and feedback from the rules committee , and voted on each rule .
For 2024 , the following changes will be made in the NWHA rule book :
Proposal # 1 : Allow standard curb chains with hooks in western classes . New Rule : 8.4 General Western
The curb chain or curb straps in Western classes would include any with tooled , non-tooled , or worked leather and / or silver , tassles , or a combination curb chain with plain buckle ends and they must be used with a curb bit .
A standard curb chain with curb hooks is allowed in western classes .
Proposal # 2 : Allow cavessons in western All Day Pleasure and Country Pleasure classes . New Rule : 8.4 General Western In Western Pleasure classes cavessons are PROHIBITED . a . Exception : Cavessons can be worn in All Day Pleasure and Country Pleasure divisions .
Proposal # 3 : Allow the use of hoof black as it was in previous versions of the NWHA rule book . The rule book will be updated to remove any reference ( s ) to prohibiting hoof black .
Proposal # 4 : Add gait call clarification to 6.3 Intermediate Equitation
Gait clarification will be added to section 6.3 to clarify gait call should be a walk and intermediate gait . Intermediate gait may be a flat walk , pleasure gait , show walk , or slow rack .
Proposal # 5 : Permit the use of two hands for Western Riders in Intermediate Equitation .
Add that Western Riders using a shank bit may rein with one or two hands . The rider may not switch their rein hand during the class if riding one-handed . Riders cannot switch between riding with one hand or riding with two hands during this class .
December 2023 | NWHA National News 5