2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

120 F. Equipment and attire: 1. Hunter seat or forward seat saddle and equipment are required. Dressage saddles are prohibited in Hunter Hack and Hunter Over Fences. 2. See Section 5, Paragraphs A, D, and E. Section 16. Pleasure Driving A. Class Description: Horses are to be shown harnessed to either a two or four wheeled cart. Horses will be shown both ways of the arena at a flatfoot walk and a fox trot. B. Class Procedures: 1. Judge or Tack Steward/Judge will inspect equipment and vehicle prior to entering the ring and must disqualify unsafe (broken or damaged) harness or vehicle. 2. Horses shall enter the ring to the right at a fox trot. After the class is called and the gate is closed, horses will be exhibited at the flat foot walk and fox trot both directions of the ring. At the direction of the ring steward, a change of direction may be accomplished by the horse crossing the show ring while walking or in a normal fox trot only. 3. Each horse shall also be required to demonstrate its ability to back readily and stand quietly. 4. The exhibitor shall be the only person permitted in the cart while the horse is being exhibited, and no pets shall be allowed in such cart during exhibition. 5. When entries warrant, i.e., when each class will count for points, class may be split into Formal Driving (four wheeled vehicles) and Pleasure Driving (two wheeled vehicles). 6. After all entries have finished their ring work and are lined up waiting to demonstrate the back- up, headers may quietly enter the arena and position themselves squarely two to three feet in front of the horse’s head. Headers shall stand still with hands behind their back. Should it become necessary to restrain a horse prior to the completion of judging, the judge shall penalize that entry. Judges shall also penalize an entry whose header disturbs or distracts any horse. Headers shall be neatly dressed in Western or English attire. C. Judging Considerations: 1. A pleasure driving horse should be well mannered and under control at all times. He should carry himself in a natural balanced position, with relaxed head and neck. 2. Maximum credit should be given to a horse that moves straight, with free movement and natural rhythm. D. Scoring: 1. Placing for the class shall be determined by judging each horse on the following basis: a) The horse carries his head behind the vertical. b) The horse is excessively nosed out. c) The poll is below the withers. d) The horse exhibits extreme speed and/or animation. e) It becomes necessary for header to restrain horse. f) The header disturbs or distracts any horse. E. Equipment and Attire: See Section 5, Paragraph H through I.