2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

86 8. Prohibited Equipment for Hunt Seat/Dressage a) Draw reins b) Rowelled spurs c) Standing or running martingales d) Figure 8 or flash cavesson e) Protective boots, leg wraps and bandages (except in Hunter Hack and Hunter Over Fences) f) Mechanical hackamores and gag bits g) Ribbons or ornamentation in mane. E. Hunt Seat/Dressage Attire: (Includes English Pleasure, Hunt Seat, Dressage, Hunter Hack & Hunter Over Fences). 1. Hunt seat riders should wear hunt coats of traditional conservative colors such as navy, dark green, gray, black or brown. Maroon and red are acceptable but not preferred. The use of glitter, rhinestones or sequins are prohibited. Breeches are to be of traditional shades of buff, khaki, canary, light gray or rust, with high English boots of black or brown. Jodhpurs and paddock boots are acceptable for youths 12 and under. 2. Black, navy, blue or brown hardhat (with harness for youth or in over fences classes) is mandatory. 3. A tie or choker is required 4. Gloves, English spurs of the un-rowelled type and crops or bats are optional. 5. Hair must be neat and contained (as in net or braid). Judges must penalize exhibitors who do not conform. 6. Dressage riders should wear hunt or dressage coats in any traditional or conservative color, in seasonal weight, with light colored or white breeches and high English boots. Stock tie or choker is required (men may wear dress tie). Black hunt cap, hard hat or top hat or derby is required. 7. In Hunter Hack and Hunter over Fences, ASME/SEI Certified helmets are mandatory while schooling and/or during competition, noncompliance shall be cause for elimination. Exhibitors choosing to wear protective headgear in any class may do so without penalty from Judges. 8. Judges, at their discretion, may authorize adjustment to attire due to weather-related conditions. F. Saddle Seat Equipment: 1. Bridle - Leather English bridle with a noseband or cavesson and may have a colored or leather brow band and cavesson. Glitter, rhinestones or sequins are prohibited. 2. Bits - English Snaffle or English curb bit - English curb bits have a single ring for the headstall and curb attachment. The headstall and the curb chain attach in the same ring because the ring is large enough to accommodate both the leather of the headstall and the hook of the curb chain. Allowable English curb bits for Saddle Seat include: Wonder gag bit, bits with “Walking Horse” shanks; Weymouth; Pelham with single or double reins; Kimberwick, a full bridle with double reins and other refined bits with a maximum shank width of ½”. No sliding rope gag bits, elevator bits or any altered bits are allowed. The port of any bit must not exceed 1 ½”. Maximum length for cheeks is 8 ½”. Curb chains must be attached to the same cheek piece as the headstall, must lie flat and be at least ½” in width. Western grazing bits are prohibited. 3. Reins - Closed reins, whether flat or braided, of leather, rubber or synthetic material. 4. Saddle - Cut back or park type saddles are traditional although English all purpose and dressage are allowed. Saddles may be leather or a conservative colored synthetic material. Web, cord, leather or linen girths are permitted. All tack is to be neat and clean. 5. It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to check with the tack judge or appropriate official prior to the class for approval of equipment. 6. Optional Equipment : a) Spurs of the rowelled or un-rowelled English type. b) Crop (not to exceed 3 foot length). c) English style breastplate d) Colored brow bands or cavesson fronts; glitter, rhinestones or sequins are prohibited.