2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

47 a MFTHBA judges has their card suspended their name and date suspension ends will be published on the MFTHBA website and provided to any organization requested a MFTHBA carded judge list. Section 3. Ring Personnel – Duties and Responsibilities A. Ring Steward: A Ring or Show Steward is the person who oversees compliance with the rules and standards relating to the show. Any reputable person may act in this capacity that is capable through ability and/or experience and is knowledgeable of MFTHBA rules. Duties, responsibilities and authorities may include the following: 1. Inspect tack and attire for compliance, as required by rules. 2. Ask an exhibitor to remove his/her horse if it offers an obstacle to other exhibitors, or by its behavior poses a threat to other exhibitors, including horses rearing, balking, kicking, running away, or leaving the ring. 3. Remove unsportsmanlike exhibitors, including those who cut to the inside of center ring or exhibit any intentional action that would cause a disruption in the performance of another exhibitor. 4. Dismiss any exhibitor who abuses an entry with a whip or other instrument, or a horse that displays a bad image for the breed. 5. Endeavor at all times to keep the possibilities of an accident at a minimum. B. Ring Master: The Ring Master is the person responsible for overseeing activities occurring within the show ring during the show, and assists the judge or call judge, relieving that judge of unnecessary details. The Ring Master shall not advise the judge, and shall refrain from discussing, or seeming to discuss, the horses or exhibitors with the judge, taking no part whatsoever in the judging itself. Duties, responsibilities and authorities may include the following: 1. Make a count of the horses as they enter the arena. 2. Direct gait changes to the announcer, as per the judge or call judge’s instructions. 3. Direct where the horses are to line up. 4. Grant permission for exhibitors wishing to be excused from the class. 5. Act as a mediator between judge and exhibitor. 6. Keep the judging program on schedule and control the conduct of the horses and exhibitors in the ring. 7. During a time-out, the Ring Master may assist the exhibitor as needed. 8. May assist other exhibitors as needed or requested. 9. Collect and turn in the judge’s score cards to the scorekeeper. 10. Endeavor at all times to keep the possibilities of an accident at a minimum. C. Ring Person: In addition to the ring master attending the call judge, at shows where multiple judges are employed the remaining judges shall be attended by a Ring Person. The Ring Person shall assist the judge, relieving the judge of unnecessary details. The Ring Person shall not advise the judge, and shall refrain from discussing, or seeming to discuss, the horses or exhibitors with the judge, taking no part whatsoever in the judging itself. Duties, responsibilities and authorities may include the following: 1. Act as a mediator between judge and exhibitor. 2. Keep the judging program on schedule and control the conduct of the horses and exhibitors in the ring. 3. During a time-out, the Ring Person may assist the exhibitor as needed. 4. May assist other exhibitors as needed or requested. 5. Collect and turn in the judge’s score cards to the scorekeeper. 6. Endeavor at all times to keep the possibilities of an accident at a minimum