2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

52 3) failure to provide the Administrator required DQP documentation such as show reports, show bills, class sheets, violation records, violation drawings, photos and/or videos within the required time frames 4) failure to advise the DQP Coordinator that the DQP has been contacted to work a show, or working a show, without being assigned by the DQP Coordinator 5) not attending Hearing Committee proceedings unless absence is unavoidable. d) Lack of deportment: Includes but is not limited to offensive language or behavior while conducting inspections, documenting and explaining violations to exhibitors, owners and/or trainers, while participating in Hearing Committee proceedings or at any time when interacting, while on duty, with MFTHBA members, horse event participants, horse event officials or USDA officials. 2. Notice of DQP Failure to Comply with Standards : a) Exclusions: This section does not apply to HPA Violation hearings requested by alleged violators of the Act, the Regulations, or the Plan. Such violators may address the Hearing Committee about alleged DQP failures during the hearing. Procedures for those hearings are covered in Section 5. This section also does not apply to Letters of Warning requested by the USDA; procedures for those are not covered in the Plan. b) Written Complaint: The Board of Directors, upon receiving a written complaint, accompanied by a filing fee of $300, alleging that a DQP has failed to comply with DQP standards of conduct that rise to the level of Sub-section 1. Definition of Terms above, shall forward such written complaint to the DQP Coordinator and the Administrator. The Administrator shall within ten (10) days mail a copy of the complaint with a cover letter to the DQP. The DQP shall be given the right in the cover letter to request a hearing. If the DQP does not request a hearing in writing by the 20 th day after the date of the letter, the Administrator shall impose the penalty on that date, and advise the DQP, the DQP Coordinator, the HP Coordinator and the Board of Directors in writing of the penalty imposed. c) Hearing: If the DQP requests a hearing, the Administrator shall schedule a hearing before the Hearing Committee at the next scheduled meeting of Board of Directors, but not within 30 days of the receipt of the request for hearing, in order to provide sufficient notice of the hearing to the DQP the writer of the complaint. The Administrator shall advise the HP Coordinator the hearing at least seven (7) days in advance. The DQP will have the opportunity to present evidence and to cross-examine the writer of the complaint. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the written Hearing Committee and the Hearing Committee shall act as a jury of majority rule. After hearing the evidence, the Hearing Committee shall render a decision in writing via the Administrator within 10 days of the hearing if upheld; the penalty will take effect on the first day after the date the decision is rendered. The Administrator shall notify the HP Coordinator of the decision of the Hearing Committee within ten (10) days. A probationary period of one year shall take effect starting with the last day of the suspension period. The DQP may appeal the decision to the HP Coordinator within 30 days of the decision, and the HP Coordinator shall make final disposition in accordance with the Regulations. d) Letter of Reprimand: If a Letter of Reprimand is issued, the probationary period shall commence on the date of the letter. If a suspension period other than a lifetime suspension includes the date(s) of annual DQP Certification training, the DQP may attend the course for license renewal purposes but shall not be licensed until after the suspension period has ended. e) Show Documentation: The Administrator is responsible for evaluating DQP performance as it relates to show documentation. Due to the timeliness of reporting requirements to APHIS, the Administrator may immediately issue a Letter of Reprimand