2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

51 8. DQP Lists: The Administrator is responsible for supplying a list of the names and addresses of certified DQP’s to the HP Coordinator, and shall advise the HP Coordinator of any change of address during the show season. F. DQP’s (Designated Qualified Persons): DQP’s are appointed by the Board of Director must be twenty-one (21) years of age, members in good standing of MFTHBA, and must have met all the requirements for being certified. Applications for those interested in becoming DQP’s are available in the MFTHBA office. Candidates for DQP certification are to be provided in writing to the Board of Directors by the Administrator, who shall have documented proof that the candidate(s) have met all certification requirements. The following are the responsibilities of the DQP: 1. Knowledge and Training: The DQP must be familiar with the Act, the Regulations, the Plan and the MFTHBA rules related to the Horse Protection Act. The DQP must attend the initial DQP training for new DQP’s, and successfully complete three (3) apprenticeships to be initially certified. The DQP must attend the annual DQP renewal session held each year to be eligible for re-certification. The DQP must pass written tests given during training by scoring 80% or better. 2. Show and Event Exclusions: The DQP shall not exhibit any horse at any horse show or horse exhibition, or sell, auction, or purchase any horse sold at a horse sale or horse auction at which he or she has been appointed to inspect horses. A DQP shall not inspect horses at any horse show, horse exhibition, horse sale or horse auction in which a horse or horses owned by a member of the DQP’s immediate family or the DQP’s employer are competing or are being offered for sale. 3. Show Reports: The DQP is responsible for submitting properly and correctly completed Show Reports and accompanying show bills and class sheets to the Administrator within five (5) working days of the show or event. 4. HPA Violations: The DQP is responsible for submitting properly and corrected completed Records of HPA Violation forms with accompanying Violation Drawings and photos and/or videos to the Administrator within three (3) working days of the show or event. 5. Show and Event Assignments: The DQP must work at least one show in the show season in order to be eligible for certification the following year. Exceptions must be documented by the DQP Coordinator with detailed reasons and presented to the Board of Directors for approval. 6. Deportment: The DQP shall conduct himself or herself professionally at all times when serving as a DQP at any show or event. The DQP shall display the official license or badge identification. He or she shall examine all horses in a consistent manner without prejudice and avoid offensive behavior or language while conducting DQP business. G. DQP Performance: The MFTHBA is required as an HIO to evaluate each DQP’s performance and take appropriate administrative action. After a DQP has been issued a license, and such DQP demonstrated a lack of competence, skill, integrity or cooperation, or fails to deport himself or herself in a manner worthy of a DQP, the DQP is subject to the penalties contained in Subsection 2 f below. 1. Definition of Terms: a) Lack of competence and/or skill: Includes, but is not limited to (1) inability to conduct horse inspections per the inspection guidelines the Regulations, (2) inability to accurately identify violations of the Act and the Regulations, (3) inability to properly complete required DQP program forms, and (4) inability to interpret the Act, the Regulations and the Plan. b) Lack of integrity: Includes, but is not limited to (1) inability to inspect horses without prejudice, (2) receiving remuneration of whatever kind in exchange for allowing a horse to pass inspection that otherwise would not pass inspection, (3) performing inspections in a less than thorough manner whenever the USDA is not present, or (4) knowingly allowing horses in violation of the Act, the Regulations and the Plan to pass inspection for any reason. c) Lack of cooperation: Includes, but is not limited to: 1) failure to serve as a DQP during the year in which licensed 2) failure to properly complete show paperwork