2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

96 c) Poorly groomed, conditioned or trimmed horse or poorly or ill-fitted equipmen– 2 points. d) Excessive staring at judge, head held crooked or severe turning of head – 2 points. e) Stiff, artificial or unnatural body, leg, arm and/or head position – 2 points. f) Reins too long or short, or uneven – 3 points. g) Loose leg with open knee, or toes pointed down – 3 points. h) Shoulders held crooked or arms held in a straight unbent position – 3 points. i) Exhibitor looking down to check leads or falling forward when stopping – 3 points. j) Poor position of exhibitor in saddle, legs placed too far forward or too far back – 3 points. 3. Faults of the performance include: (½ to 4 point deduction) a) Wrong lead or break of gait for a few strides – 1 point. b) Oblong or flat sided circles or horse dropping shoulder (counter arc when circling) – 2 points. c) Stopping rough, crooked or dropping a hip out– 2 points. d) Backing sluggishly or crooked – 2 points. e) Failure to maintain a pivot foot or stepping behind with the front legs when turning or failure to complete entire 90, 180, 270, 360 degree turn – 2 points. f) Horse holding the head and/or neck excessively crooked when moving in straight lines or when stopping or backing – 3 points. g) Showing resistance when cued or reined – 2 points. h) Hesitation during any maneuver unless specified – 2 points. i) Failure of horse to stand still in pattern – 3 points. j) Imprecise pattern work or rough transitions – 3 points. k) Failure to exhibit change of speed when requested – 3 points. 4. Severe Faults of the overall appearance of exhibitor and horse (5 point deduction – and cannot place above an exhibitor who does not incur a severe fault) a) Touching horse. b) Grabbing the saddle horn or any other part of the saddle. c) Cueing with the end of the reins. d) Spurring in front of the shoulder. 5. Severe Faults of the Performance (5 point deduction – and cannot place above an exhibitor who completes the pattern correctly) a) Omission or addition of maneuvers. b) Wrong lead if not corrected in a timely manner. c) Turning the wrong way. d) Knocking over a cone or working on the wrong side of the cones. e) Kicking at other horses, exhibitors or judge. f) Disobedience, balking, pawing or shaking head excessively 6. Faults to cause disqualification/elimination a) Loss of control of horse that endangers exhibitor, other horses or exhibitors or judge. b) Failure of exhibitor to wear correct number in a visible manner. c) Willful abuse. d) Excessive schooling or training. e) Use of artificial aids. f) Illegal use of hands or reins. g) Use of prohibited equipment. h) Fall of horse or rider. i) Severe disobedience or resistance by horse including, but not limited to, rearing or bucking. F. Equipment and Attire: See Section 5, Paragraphs A through C.