2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

126 RANCH HORSE COMPETITION Section 1. Ranch Horse Show Policies & Procedures: A. This competition includes six classes: Ranch Horse Conformation, Ranch Pleasure, Ranch Versatility, Working Cow Horse, Ranch Roping and Ranch Cutting. 1) Horses are not required to compete in all events; however, if a horse is seeking to be recognized as Ranch Horse Champion, it must compete in at least four events, one of which must be a cattle event. 2) Placing in each class determines the number of total points earned upon completion of all classes selected by the exhibitor. 3) The entry with the highest point total for each show will be designated the Ranch Horse Champion by division, the second highest in points earned will be the Ranch Horse Reserve Champion and the next eight highest entries will be named the Ranch Horse Top Ten. B. The World Grand Champion Ranch Horse title will be awarded to the winner of each division (Open, Amateur and Youth) at the Annual Show and Celebration. A Reserve World Grand Champion Ranch Horse title may also be awarded in each division. To be eligible for the World Grand Champion title a horse must participate in four of the six classes in the Ranch Horse Competition. C. The mission of the Ranch Horse Competition is to promote the working cow horse or ranch horse, provide events to exhibit the ranch horse’s abilities and to recognize individual ranch horses. D. At Show Management's discretion, this competition may be conducted as a Youth, Amateur and/or Open Competition. This competition may be conducted as one go-round or a go-round followed by a finals in which the highest scores (top 5 Youth, top 5 Amateur and top 5 Open if divided) compete again in all events with no scores or placing carried over, except for the conformation class, which is not re-judged, but where points are carried over. In multiple go-rounds there is no competition between divisions. E. In all Divisions (Open, Amateur and Youth) the same exhibitor must show the same horse throughout the Ranch Horse competition. A horse may not be shown more than once in a particular class. Exhibitors may show up to three horses in individual performance classes. F. Eligibility: 1) Horses must be registered Missouri Fox Trotting Horses. Registration papers are to be presented upon entering for all horses to verify ownership and age of horse and we suggest a copy be placed on file with the show secretary. 2) Stallions shall not be shown in the Youth Division. 3) Horses must be serviceably sound and in good condition as determined by the judge. 4) Any horse five (5) years of age and under will show as a junior horse. The letter “J” indicating junior horse must be on the entry number for all junior horses. G. Instructions to riders: Two hands may be used on the reins. If one hand is used, hands must not be changed except to negotiate an obstacle in the Ranch Versatility class. Hand to be around reins. When the ends of split reins fall on the same side of the reining hand, one finger between the reins is permitted. When using romal, or when ends of split reins are held in the hand not used for reining, no finger between reins is allowed. Rider may hold romal or end of split reins to keep them from wringing and to adjust the position of the reins, provided it is held at least 16” from the reining hand. Riders will not be penalized for using the saddle horn in the Ranch Cutting and Working Cow Horse classes. Failure to stay mounted in performance classes will result in disqualification. H. Classes which have an individual performance shall have a draw performed by the competition management to determine the horses’ order to perform. A systematic rotation of the starting list must be employed so that a complete cycle is made during the competition. The draw will be announced prior to the class. Horses shall enter the ring one at a time, rather than work out of a line-up in the arena. The draw must be adhered to except in the following cases: