2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

118 same size as the rails, laid parallel to the jump on the ground just below the jump or approximately 18 inches from the base on the approach side), is recommended for all fences. 4. A fence must be at least 20 feet wide or have wings at least 30” wide. Wings may be used on all fences and if so, must be thirty inches wide and must be a minimum of twelve inches higher than the top of the fence. 5. A spread fence consisting of two or more elements may be included at the discretion of show management. Fences with spreads over four feet are prohibited. 6. A combination fence such as an “in and out” may be used, counting as one fence. Each fence in a combination should be the same height and twenty-four to twenty-six feet is a suggested distance between them when used in a ring. 7. Obstacles, except within combination, should be located a minimum of 48 feet apart, size of arena permitting. When the distance between single fences is set up, the rule of thumb to use is thumb is to use a distance divided by increments of 12 (36, 48, 60, etc.). 8. Optional Obstacles may include: a) Post and rail (at least two rails) b) Chicken coop c) Stone wall d) Triple bar e) Brush jump B. Class Procedures : 1. Exhibitors should have the opportunity to walk the course without their horse to check striding, line of travel and rail height prior to commencement of the class. A warm-up of two or more fences must be available. 2. Each exhibitor will be worked from the gate individually and must follow the posted pattern. Course patterns shall be posted at least one hour before the class is called. 3. Hunter Hack horses are first required to follow a pattern that shall include two fences, 2 feet (60cm) to 3 feet (90cm) in height. All entries are then brought into the ring and shown at a flatfoot walk, fox trot and canter both ways of the ring. 4. The Hunter Over Fences course will consist of eight fences, of at least four different obstacles. An obstacle may be jumped more than once. Fence heights are to be a minimum of 18 inches and a maximum of three (3) feet. Work on the rail may be required at the discretion of the judge but shall not include work other than that mentioned for the Hunter Hack class. 5. If posted pattern permits, circling once upon entering the ring is allowed. 6. At the discretion of the judge, contestants may be asked to hand gallop, pull up or back and stand quietly following the last fence. 7. Horses shall not be requested to re-jump the course. 8. In cases of broken equipment, the rider may either continue without penalty or stop and correct the difficulty and be penalized the same as any loss of forward impulsion. 9. It is mandatory that a schooling area, with at least one practice jump or practice time in the arena, be provided. 10. Schooling over obstacles in the ring or over any part of an outside course is permitted only at the time designated by show management. C. Judging Considerations: 1. Horses being shown in the Hunter Hack and Hunter Over Fences classes will be judged on manners, way of going and style over fences. Horses shall be credited with maintaining an even hunting pace that covers the course with free-flowing strides. Hunter pace is defined as a longer flowing canter with enough speed and impulsion to meet and take each jump, giving the appearance of grace and ease. It should be maintained throughout the course. 2. The ideal hunter will meet each fence at the proper take off spot for a perfect arc over the obstacle. Its jump will be snappy and athletic with forearms held at or above parallel line to the ground. The joints of the front legs are tucked tightly in front of the chest and the neck and back arched over the fence.