2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

73 rider’s skirt or apron must be weighty enough so that it hangs well and will not blow back or cover the horse’s rump. Clothing should not jiggle or flop during movement. Dangling jewelry, excessive use of ruffles, bows or veils detracts from the quiet, elegant image the rider wants to project. Hats or headpieces are required. Gloves are optional but recommended and must be a glove appropriate for riding. Summarized descriptions for modern and period sidesaddle attire are as follow: a) Modern Sidesaddle Attire includes adding an apron to the outfit worn by astride riders. 1) Hunt Attire and Dressage Attire: Depending on the style of English saddle: to be in keeping with English apparel traditions, formal or informal. 2) Saddle Seat Attire, formal or informal: Apron should match or compliment saddle suit or day coat and be of ankle length to jodhpur boots. Derby, Homburg or top hat without veil is appropriate. Hair should be put up neatly with a bow and/or net. 3) Western Attire: Western apron replaces chaps as protection for the legs. It may be the standard button-style or have chap-back type waistband, to be worn with belt under loops. Apron may be plain in heavy fabric, leather or suede. It may be ankle length or 2” to 4” above the left ankle but must completely cover right foot. Western hat without veil is appropriate. Rider is to wear contemporary western fashion, unless striving for a period style. Exhibitor must ride a western sidesaddle. b) Period Sidesaddle Attire: It is important for today’s sidesaddle rider to research period riding attire and to avoid wearing clothing that is unsuitable or incorrect for riding. It should be kept in mind that a woman rider should evoke thoughts of elegance. Historically speaking, the majority of women did not ride, as many could not afford horses. The ladies that did ride were able to afford special riding attire called “habits.” Since modern laundry techniques were not available, women did not wear lace petticoats/lingerie when riding. Pantaloons similar to today’s stirrup pants or breeches of chamois or soft leather were the chosen undergarments. Ladies did not ride in their evening wear, house dresses or street gowns, as this was highly inappropriate (i.e., Victorian walking suits or southern belle ball gowns). A lady never rode in a cleavage- exposing low neckline. Also, parasols and drawstring purses presented a hazard to both horse and rider, as did excessive skirt fabric fashionably draped on the left side. The only attire spread over the rump of the horse was the Renaissance cloak or cape. 4. Judging is to be based 50% on attire, 25 % on equitation, and 25% for flat foot walk, fox trot and conformation. K. Three Year Old Futurity Class Regulations: Registered Missouri Fox Trotting horses may be nominated as two-year olds to show the following year in the Three-Year Old Futurity held each spring at the national show grounds in Ava, MO. 1. Nominations: Nominations will be accepted through October 31 of the year prior to the show year. For those wishing to pay in full at time of nomination, a discount may be offered. Nomination fees and discount amount will be determined by the MFTHBA Board of Directors. Late nominations will be accepted November 1 through May 31, however the nomination fee will be increased each month with the total amount due at time of nomination. No nominations will be accepted beyond close of business day May 31. In the event May 31 falls on a weekend, the previous Friday will be the last day for nominations to be accepted. Postmark NOT accepted for May 31 deadline. a) A fee payment schedule will be established for those horses nominated on or before October 31. The fee schedule, with all applicable penalties for missed payments, will be printed on the nomination form. b) A sufficient number of nominations, as determined by the Board of Directors, must be received by January 1 or fees will be refunded. 2. Nomination Form: A completed nomination form, available from the MFTHBA Office and on the MFTHBA website, must include all requested information.