2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

69 6. English Pleasure 2 Gait: English Pleasure horses should exhibit relaxed, free flowing movement, while exhibiting correct gaits that are of proper cadence. Horses should be obedient, have a bright expression with alert ears, and should respond willingly to the rider with light leg and hand contact. The class will be judged on performance, condition and conformation. Maximum credit shall be given to the flowing, balanced, willing horse. Horses will work both directions of the ring at the flat foot walk and Fox Trot. Horses should back easily and stand quietly. English Pleasure can be divided into two sections: Hunt Seat/Dressage Seat and Flat Seat. At some shows, these disciplines will be combined into one class. a) English Pleasure & Country Pleasure (if riding English) i. Hunt Seat/Dressage - English style snaffle bit, Kimberwick bits, or Pelham bit (with two reins); hunting, forward seat or dressage saddles; breeches, tall boots and hunt or dressage coats; tie or chocker required; hunt cap, hard hat or dressage top hat or derby required. ii. Flat Seat- Weymouth or Pelham bits may be used in full bridle (double-reined bridle), only refined English shank bits are allowed no aluminum or western grazing bits; cutback, dressage or park type English saddles; saddle suits or saddle suit jacket with Kentucky jodhpurs; ties required; derby or soft hat required 7. Western Pleasure 2 Gait: The western pleasure horse works quietly exhibiting an exceptionally smooth ride without excessive action or animation yet maintaining a natural rhythm. Maximum credit is given to the flowing, balanced, rhythmic and willing horse, which gives the appearance of being fit and a pleasure to ride. Horses must work both ways of the ring at the trail walk, flat walk, and Fox Trot. The judge may ask for a halt on the rail to test for quietness ask for a back on the rail, ask the horse to back clear of the line-up and/or do a 360 degree neck reined turn to the right or left. The judge may also request the reverse to be performed at the walk or the Fox Trot. The following standards of judging will apply: 40% for Fox Trot, 20% for flat walk, 20% for trail walk, 10% for conformation, and 10% for equitation, Reins must be held in one hand and cannot be changed during performance. Faults which may cause disqualification include: Changing hands or two hands on reins, more than on finger between reins or improper use if romal (see MFTHBA rules). a) Trail/ Western Pleasure/Country Pleasure (if riding Western): Western show apparel, split or romal reins required, cowboy hat or helmet required, no cavessons, ribbons or gag bits. See 700 Show Rules, Policies & Procedures Versatility Competition, Section 5, A – C 8. Country Pleasure 2 Gait: Exhibitors may compete in English or Western tack and attire, but tack/attire should not be mixed (English saddle does not go with Western bridle and attire). This class is a two-gait rail class that is judged on the quality and consistency of the flat walk and fox trot as well as manners of the horse under saddle. The horse should have a quiet nature and be responsive to the rider’s commands. Horses should exhibit a relaxed, willing, free flowing, rhythmic movement, which shows a fit horse and fives the rider the most pleasurable of rides. a) Trail/ Western Pleasure/Country Pleasure (if riding Western): Western show apparel, split or romal reins required, cowboy hat or helmet required, no cavessons, ribbons or gag bits. b) English Pleasure & Country Pleasure (if riding English) See 700 Show Rules, Policies & Procedures Versatility Competition, Section 5, D – G i. Hunt Seat/Dressage - English style snaffle bit, Kimberwick bits, or Pelham bit (with two r eins); hunting, forward seat or dressage saddles; breeches, tall boots and hunt or dressage coats; tie or chocker required; hunt cap, hard hat or dressage top hat or derby required. ii. Flat Seat- Weymouth or Pelham bits may be used in full bridle (double-reined bridle), only refined English shank bits are allowed no aluminum or western grazing bits; cutback, dressage or park type English saddles; saddle suits or saddle suit jacket with Kentucky jodhpurs; ties required; derby or soft hat required. 9. Versatility and Ranch Horse Class descriptions can be found in 700 - SHOW RULES, POLICIES & PROCEDURES Versatility Competition I. General Judging Standards: In any class, horses shown must be serviceably sound, and any horse with evidence of unsoundness or other conditions deemed to be of a serious nature shall be disqualified. In performance classes, the signature fox trot gait is to be given a heavier weight to any other gait performed, and a standard has been established to evaluate and judge the performance of a class of horses (see 100 -