2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

104 4. When the distances and spaces are measured between all obstacles, the inside base to inside base measurement of each obstacle, considering the normal path of the horse, should be the measuring point. 5. The judge must walk the course and has the right and duty to alter the course in any manner. The judge may remove or change any obstacle he deems unsafe or non-negotiable. 6. Ingenuity by course designer in adapting and combining various obstacles will lend itself to courses pleasing to both exhibitors and judges. 7. Categories of Suggested Obstacles: a) Overs: 1) Bridge or Tarp 2) Single horizontal pole with maximum height of 8” 3) Multiple walkover poles, maximum individual height 6” b) Back through obstacles: 1) Backing through an L, V, U, straight or similar shaped course. 2) Back around a barrel, pair of barrels or other visible obstacle(s). c) Serpentines: 1) Obstacles such as poles, pylons, trees, etc. Set up in a series for horses to work a curved line through the obstacle. Spacing shall be a minimum of 6’ for walk and 21’ for fox trot. d) Daily Chores: 1) Negotiate a gate. 2) Handler to carry an object from one part of the arena to another. 3) Lay a saddle pad, blanket or sheet on horse’s back. 4) Brush horse’s tail. 5) Go through motions of measuring horse’s height at the withers with a yard stick or tape measure. 6) Load in trailer or chute. B. Class Procedures: 1. Each exhibitor will be worked individually from the gate. A working order will be announced before the class. 2. The course pattern to be used must be posted at least one hour before the scheduled start time of the class. 3. Trail horses in hand are required to work over and through obstacles. 4. Handler must maneuver horse using lead line of halter only and may be requested to lead from either side. 5. One handler may show more than one entry in this class. 6. Horses shall be required to demonstrate the trail walk, flat foot walk and fox trot. 7. If disrupted, the course shall be reset after each horse has worked. In the case that a combination of obstacles is used, the course cannot be reset until the contestant finishes the entire course regardless of where any disruption occurs. 8. If at any time a trail obstacle is deemed to be unsafe by the judge, it shall be repaired or removed from the course. If it cannot be repaired and horses have completed the course, the score for that obstacle shall be deducted from all previous works for that class. C. Judging Considerations: 1. Entries will be evaluated on responsiveness, willingness and general attitude. 2. Speed is not to be used to determine placing, though excessive delay while approaching an obstacle is to be penalized. Judges are encouraged to have the horse and exhibitor advance on to the next obstacle if the horse/exhibitor are taking excessive time at an obstacle. 3. A time limit may not be placed on the course as a whole, or individual obstacles. D. Scoring: 1. Suggested scoring will be on the basis of 0 - Infinity, with 70 denoting an average performance. Each obstacle will receive an obstacle score that should be added or subtracted from 70 and is subject to a penalty that should be subtracted. Each obstacle will be scored on the following