2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

64 warranted. A rider needing a time-out will ride to center ring, remain mounted, and make a request to the ring person . Exhibitors will be excused from the ring if they voluntarily dismount without official permission. Judge will ascertain the reason for the time-out and grant it if the reason appears valid. Horses cannot leave the ring during a time-out. a) Time-outs will be granted by the judge for replacement of a shoe, for replacement of broken equipment, or in rare cases for other reasons which the Judge may find equally valid. b) If the judge grants the time-out, horses on the rail will go at ease, and a groom or farrier may be ordered in as required. The exhibitor may then dismount. Riders at ease on the rail may make such adjustments as they desire while mounted without outside assistance. c) Exhibitor taking a time-out may not make adjustments to any equipment other than that for which the time-out was authorized except for such adjustments as they make while mounted. d) A total of seven (7) minutes in aggregate shall be allowed each entry for authorized time- out, but no more than two (2) times in a class. e) If the Judge finds the reason for the time-out not valid, Judge will have the option of ordering the horse back on the rail or excusing it from the ring as deemed appropriate by the Judge. 4. Timing Requirements: At the Three-Year Old Futurity/Spring Show and the Show & Celebration at Ava, MO, the Board of Directors shall arrange for appointment of an official timekeeper to assure compliance with specific timing requirements, as follows: a) The four (4) minutes allowed for an exhibitor to enter the arena following announcement of a class (class call). b) The seven (7) minutes allowed for a tack change granted an exhibitor with back-to-back classes. c) The “time-out” allowed per horse, not to exceed seven (7) minutes total for two times for a horse in a class. d) The 30 seconds permitted on the reverse will be announced. e) Timing of classes (maximum) as designated by show management: 1) Two-Year Olds, not to exceed 5 minutes each way of the arena with no rest period allowed, or up to10 minutes each way of the arena with a five (5) minute rest period in between. 2) Three-Year Olds, not to exceed a total of 20 minutes. 3) Four-Year Olds, not to exceed a total of 20 minutes. 4) Five-Year Olds and Older, not to exceed a total of 25 minutes. E. Exhibitor Conduct – Practices Discouraged or Disallowed: 1. No attendant shall be allowed in the ring except in the Lead Line class, 11 & Under Youth class, the Pleasure Driving class where a header is used, in Special Needs classes, or the WGC performance class where saddles are to be stripped. 2. Horses less than four (4) years old will not be asked to canter, with the exception of those competing in versatility classes. 3. Any exhibitor, owner, trainer, or any other person who injects or uses any chemical agent for the purpose of relaxing a horse in any MFTHBA approved show will be subject to disciplinary action and penalty. MFTHBA show management or their authorized show personnel at any MFTHBA approved show reserves the right to check for use of forbidden substances in or on horses. 4. To promote safety for horses and exhibitors, the use of electronic assistance in the show ring/arena is allowed for all exhibitors, regardless of age or class. EXCEPTION: NO DEVICES MAY BE USED IN ANY PATTERN CLASSES 5. Chains, rollers, and/or tail sets will not be allowed at MFTHBA-approved shows. 6. The use of shoes other than standard (such as cowboy or keg) shoes is to be discouraged and the horse in violation of the following will be disqualified. Shoes generally weigh 10 oz. A No. 1