2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

63 7. Any exhibitor whose horse is openly bleeding, or whose horse is showing lameness, or who is presenting a bad image of the breed is requested to excuse himself or herself from the class. In the event an exhibitor does not request to be excused, the judge or show management shall excuse and disqualify said exhibitor. Obvious lameness is cause for disqualification, and such lameness includes the following: a) consistently observable at any gait under any circumstance; b) marked nodding, hitching or shortened stride; c) minimal weight bearing in motion and at rest and/or inability to move. 8. An exhibitor will be disqualified if the horse and/or rider fall during a class. A horse is considered to have fallen when shoulder and haunch on the same side touch the ground. 9. Exhibitors are to follow the directions of the show management, Ring Steward or Ring Master at any time while in the show ring. C. General Show Ring and Judging Procedures: The following items govern general showing standards for classes except in the event where class-specific requirements govern: 1. In performance and model classes, each horse shall enter the arena single file to the right. A total time not to exceed four minutes from announcement of the class is allowed for horses to enter the arena. See B. 2, above, the “3-minute rule”. 2. In multi-judge shows the call judge is the first judge passed when entering the entry gate. 3. No performance gait shall be called by the judge until the gate is closed. 4. Judge, or call judge when present, shall direct the presentation of the horses in the required gaits. This may be accomplished through use of the Ring Master, as warranted. 5. In performance classes, horses shall be shown both ways of the ring at least once around the arena in each of the gaits. Gaits to be judged in accordance with Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Standards as defined in 100 - Standards of the Fox-Trotting horse. The order of performance gaits each way of the arena shall be flat foot walk, fox trot, flat foot walk, and if applicable, the canter and flat foot walk. 6. Horses may be reversed at the flat foot walk, or fox trot if class so specifies, reversing to the inside (away from rail). Minor adjustments by the rider to bridle or curb are permitted, and gait is to be resumed within 30 seconds. 7. If an exhibitor desires to be excused, permission must be requested from the Judge or Ring Master, and exhibitor must remain in the center ring until excused. Exhibitors voluntarily removing a horse without proper permission shall be disqualified from that class and all future classes of the show, forfeiting all prizes and entry fees, if any, for the entire show. 8. Workouts may be called for by the judge for any place or places. All horses in a workout shall be placed consecutively insofar as the number of places will allow. In a championship workout, all gaits will be required both ways of the ring. 9. Horses are to be lined up after the initial showing for inspection and judging 10. See G. below which outlines specific gait and conformation standards for performance and model classes. D. Special Show Ring and Judging Procedures: 1. Combining Multi-Age Classes: In the event that show management considers that entries are not sufficient for a set age class and it becomes necessary to combine different aged classes into a single class, they may be so combined providing that the rules and regulations of the lesser age group prevail. As an example, if 2-year old and 3-year old classes are combined, regulations for the 2-year old horses are to be used. 2. Split Classes: A performance class may be split at the discretion of show management. Ribbons will be awarded for all horses placed in both sections, “A” and “B” of a split class. a) Exception: In classes that have a money payback such as the Three-Year Old Futurity classes, these classes will require a ride off for final placement. 3. Time Outs: Time-outs interrupt the show and spectator pleasure, and they also cause exhibitors to bring their horses once again into gaits which have been interrupted, and for these reasons unauthorized time-outs will not be permitted. However, there are situations where a time-out is