2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

18 Section 3. Flat Foot Walk The flat foot walk shall be a flat, four-beat gait performed in a square, stylish manner. The gait is to be accomplished with animation, over striding the front track. There is to be reach in each stride, front and rear. A four-beat gait is distinctly different from the fox trot which has a broken rhythm. When correctly performing the flat foot walk, you will hear a steady, equal four beat cadence produced by the hooves, the head shake will be more animated than in the fox trot, and the rider will be getting a smooth ride. Section 4. Canter The canter is a three-beat gait and shall be performed in a straight, collected manner with the head and tail slightly elevated. The horse shall travel with a forward rolling motion while on the correct lead, both front and rear. The three-beat gait is performed with a rocking motion, starting from the outside rear foot, then to the inside rear-outside front combination, and then to the inside front foot. The head should be at its lowest point when the inside front foot is on the ground. The canter is not a fast-moving gait, and the horse should appear relaxed and move freely. Section 5. Overview The exhibition of the horse in the show ring should present the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse performing the gaits in the proper manner. While a degree of latitude may be given in the show arena, the correctness of the gaits and the equitation and comfort of the rider is necessary to showcase our great horse to its best advantage. ELECTIONS: Section 1. Annual or Special Elections and Ballot Initiatives A. Elections are conducted according to the Bylaws of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association, Inc. B. Voting by members shall be by mail or an online electronic balloting service. Election ballots will be provided to the members from, and returned by the members to, an outside accounting firm or other qualified neutral entity. C. Ballots will be mailed not less than 30 days prior to the election. D. Nominations for Annual Election of Officers and Directors positions will be completed on or before August 1 and ballots mailed on or before August 15. Completed ballots voted and returned must be received by the outside accounting firm or other qualified neutral entity handling the tabulation of votes on or before October 1 . E. Ballots for Special Elections will be mailed not less than 30 days following publication of notice of vote, and not less than 60 days prior to the deadline for receipt of ballots. F. Any undeliverable ballot will be returned to the outside accounting firm or other qualified neutral entity handling the tabulation of votes and will be marked “null and void” on both the envelope and ballot. G. The candidate who receives the greatest number of votes shall be declared the winner. In the event of a tie, a coin toss will determine the winner. H. Ballot initiatives will be items progressed to the membership for consideration in changing Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, or other projects deemed by the Board to be of a nature where a vote by the membership is desirable. Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws changes shall require an approval by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast. Other ballot initiative proposals will require approval by a majority of votes cast in order to pass. I. Election results will be announced in October, at a meeting determined by the Board of Directors. In the event of a Special Election or Ballot Initiative, the results will be announced at the first available Board meeting following receipt of the results. J. Ballots are to be retained by the firm tabulating the votes, and will be kept for thirteen (13) months from the date of the annual election held in October for which provision is made in the Bylaws, or in the case of a special election the ballots will be retained by the firm tabulating the votes for 13 months from date of that special election.