2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

85 C. Western Attire: 1. Exhibitors in all Western classes must wear appropriate western attire, including long sleeves and collar (band, standup, tuxedo, etc.) western hats or helmets, boots and appropriate slacks or colored jeans, blue denim jeans are prohibited. The hat, or hard hat with harness, must be on the rider’s head when the exhibitor enters the arena. Optional appointments include kerchief or bolo, chaps or chinks, spurs, gloves, vest or jacket. Spurs and chaps/chinks are prohibited in Showmanship. 2. Attire in the Ranch Horse classes, timed (speed) events and any cattle classes should appear workman-like, neat and devoid of the ornamentation and high-fashion styling that requires more than a basic investment of the part of the exhibitor. The wearing of blue denim jeans is allowed. 3. Exhibitors may wear hard hat with harness in all classes and hard hat with harness is recommended for all competitors in timed (speed) events. 4. Female exhibitors must wear their hair neat and contained. This also applies to male exhibitors with long hair. Judges must penalize exhibitors who do not conform. 5. Judges, at their discretion, may authorize adjustment to attire in any class due to weather-related conditions. D. English Hunt Seat/Dressage Equipment: (Includes English Pleasure Hunt Seat & Dressage, Hunter Hack and Hunter over Fences) 1. A tack judge will screen all of the English Pleasure, Hunter Hack and Hunter over Fences classes prior to the specific class at the Spring Show and the Show and Celebration in Ava, Missouri. Horse Show Management should have a good knowledge in regard to acceptable tack in these classes prior to the class. Judges at the Spring Show and the Celebration in Ava, Missouri will not be required to judge for acceptable tack and attire; however, it is the responsibility of the judge to see that the tack and attire has been properly inspected and approved by the tack judge and/or steward prior to the class. 2. In Hunt Seat/Dressage classes, only an English snaffle (no shank), kimberwick, Pelham and/or full bridle (with two reins) will be permitted. Leather bridle with a plain leather cavesson noseband and plain leather brow band, with no color or ornamentation, must be used. Glitter, rhinestones or sequins are prohibited. 3. In reference to mouthpieces, nothing may protrude below the mouthpiece (bar). On broken mouthpieces only: Connecting rings of 1 ¼” (32mm) or less in diameter or connecting flat bar of 3/8” to ¾” (10mm to 20mm) measured top to bottom with a maximum length of 2” (50mm) and which lies flat in the horse’s mouth are acceptable. All mouth pieces must be a minimum of 5/16” (8mm) in diameter to be measured 1” (25mm) in from the cheek or ring. Snaffle bit ring may be no larger than 4” (100mm) in diameter (outside). Smooth round, oval or egg-shaped, slow twist, corkscrew, single twist wire, double twisted wire jointed mouthpieces and straight bar or solid mouthpieces with a maximum of 1 ½” (40mm) high ports are allowed. 4. Bits on any style (Pelham, snaffle, kimberwick) featuring mouthpieces with cathedrals, donuts, prongs, edges or rough, sharp material shall be cause for elimination. 5. Any bit having a fixed rein, or a shank requires use of a curb chain. If a curb chain is used, it must be at least ½” (15mm) in width and lie flat against the jaw of the horse. 6. Saddles must be traditional black or brown Dressage, Hunting or forward seat type made of leather or synthetic material. A knee insert on the skirt is optional. Saddle pads may be either Olympic type or shaped to conform to saddle shape. Saddle pads should be white or of a conservative color and may have contrasting piping or binding, but no ornamentation. Dressage saddles are prohibited in Hunter Hack and Hunter over Fences. 7. Optional Equipment for Hunt Seat/Dressage: a) English spurs of the un-rowelled type. No western spurs of any kind allowed. b) Crops or bats c) Gloves d) English breast plate e) Braiding of mane and/or tail in hunt/dressage style (no show ribbons in mane)