2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

119 3. Preference will be given to the horse with correct jumping style that meets fence squarely, jumping at the center of the fence. 4. Judges shall penalize unsafe jumping and bad form over fences, whether touched or untouched, including twisting. 5 . Incorrect leads around the ends of the course or cross-cantering shall be penalized, as well as excessive use of crop. 6. Any error which endangers the horse and/or its rider, particularly refusals or knockdowns shall be heavily penalized. 7. Manners shall be emphasized in youth and amateur classes. 8. Placings for the class shall be determined by allowing a minimum of 70% for individual fence work and a maximum of 30% for work on the flat. D. Scoring 1. Scoring shall be on a basis of 0 - 100, with an approximate breakdown as follows a) 90 -100: and excellent performer and good mover that jumps with cadence, balance and style. b) 80 - 89: a good performer that jumps all fences reasonably well; an excellent performer that jumps all fences reasonably well; an excellent performer that commits one or two minor faults. c) 70 -79: the average, fair mover that makes no serious faults, but lacks the style, cadence and good balance of the top performing horses; a performer that makes a few minor faults. d) 60 - 69: poor movers that make minor mistakes; fair or average movers that have poor fences, but no major faults or disobediences. e) 50 - 59: a horse that commits one major fault, such as a hind knockdown, refusal, break of gait, cross-canter or drops a leg. f) 30 - 49: a horse that commits two or more major faults, including front knockdowns and refusals, or jumps in a manner that otherwise endangers the horse and/or rider. E. Faults/Penalties: 1. Faults in over fences portion will be scored as follows: Four (4) faults shall be assessed for knockdowns, disobedience or equipment failure. Horses eliminated in over fence portion of the class shall be disqualified. 2. Faults incurred during rail work (to be scored according to severity, but not necessarily cause for disqualification) include: a) Being on the wrong lead. b) Excessive speed (any gait) c) Excessive slowness (any gait) d) Breaking gait. e) Failure to take gait when called. f) Head carried too low or too high. g) Nosing out or flexing behind the vertical. h) Opening mouth excessively. i) Stumbling. 3. Faults which will be cause for Disqualification/Elimination: a) A total of three disobediences which can include any of the following: refusal, rearing, stopping, run-out or extra circle b) Jumping an obstacle before it is reset. c) Bolting from the arena. d) Off course. e) Fall of horse and/or rider. f) Deliberately addressing an obstacle with no follow through. g) Manual poling prohibited at any time. h) Use of whip over 30 inches or with weighted end, or carrying more than one whip, in the competition or practice arena. i) Rider competing with stirrups secured to girth and/or secured in any like manner.