2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

80 B. Western Equitation/Horsemanship: 1. The rider should appear natural in the seat and maintain a relaxed upright position with the upper body at all gaits. A balanced, functional and correct position must be maintained. 2. The rider should sit in the center of the saddle and the horse’s back with the legs hanging to form a straight line from the ear, through the center of the shoulder and hip, touching the back of the heel or through the ankle. The heels should be lower than the toes, with a slight bend in the knee and the lower leg should be directly under the knee. The rider’s back should be flat, relaxed and supple. 3. The rider’s head should be held with the chin level and the eyes forward and may be directed slightly toward the direction of travel. Excessive turning of the head or looking down at the horse’s head or shoulder is to be penalized. The shoulders should be back, level and square. The rider should maintain secure contact with the saddle from the seat to the inner thigh. Light contact should be maintained with the saddle and horse from the knee to mid-calf. The knees should point forward and remain closed with no space between the exhibitor’s knee and the saddle. The exhibitor will be penalized for positioning the legs excessively behind or forward of the vertical position. Regardless of the type of stirrup, the feet may be placed home in the stirrup, with the boot heel touching the stirrup or may be placed with the ball of the foot in the center of the stirrup. The rider’s toes should be pointing straight ahead or slightly turned out with the ankles straight or slightly broken in. Riding with toes only in the stirrup is inappropriate and will be penalized. 4. Only one hand may be used on the reins and the hand must not be changed, with the following exceptions: a) Exhibitor may change hands to work an obstacle in Trail or Ranch Versatility such as the gate, mailbox, carry obstacle, drag obstacle or slicker; b) Horses five (5) years and younger (junior horses) that are shown with a hackamore or snaffle bit may be ridden with two hands on the reins. Tails of the reins must be crossed on the opposite side of the neck from where they are attached to the bit. 5. Except in 4. b noted above, when using split reins, a hand around the reins with the index or first finger between reins is permitted, but the free hand is not allowed to touch the reins. The ends of the reins must fall on the side on the reining hand. Using two hands on the reins is an automatic disqualification. 6. When using romal reins, the rider’s hand shall be around the reins with the wrists kept straight and relaxed, the thumb on top and the fingers closed lightly around the reins. The extension shall be carried in the free hand with a 16” (40cm) spacing between the reining hand and the free hand holding the romal. No fingers are allowed between the reins. The free hand may be used to adjust the rider’s length of the rein while working, except in Reining. During Reining, except during the hesitation or settling of the horse, use of the free hand while holding the romal to alter the tension or length of the reins from the bridle to the reining and a score of 0 will be applied. The romal shall not be used forward of the cinch or to signal or cue the horse in any way. Any infraction of the rule shall be penalized severely by the judge. 7. The rider’s rein hand should be carried near the pommel either directly over the saddle horn or slightly in front of it and no more than 4 inches to either side. Direction should be given to the horse by the weight of the rein on the horse’s neck and not by moving the hand/wrists to apply bit contact. When the horse is in motion, the rider’s hands shall be clear of horse and saddle. Touching horse, grabbing the saddle horn or any other part of the saddle with the free hand will be penalized severely. The free hand and arm may be carried bent at the elbow in a similar position as the hand holding the reins, or straight down at the rider’s side. Excessive pumping as well as extreme stiffness of the free arm will be penalized. C. English Equitation/Horsemanship: 1. The rider’s head should be up, eyes straight. The shoulders should be square over the hips and the back should be straight. The rider should sit in the center of the saddle and the horse’s back with the legs hanging to form a straight line from the ear, through the center of the shoulder and hip, touching the back of the heel or through the ankle.