2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

88 3. Ladies must wear conservative dress, tailored suit or slacks and a hat. Floppy brimmed hats are not permitted or acceptable. If a short dress or suit is worn, a lap robe is required. 4. Exhibitors may wear rainwear or inclement weather apparel when showing outside if weather conditions require. Section 6. Western Pleasure A. Class Description: 1. Western Pleasure is a rail class; horses will work both ways of the arena at the prescribed gaits. A good western pleasure horse has a free-flowing stride of reasonable length in keeping with his conformation. Ideally, he should have a balanced, flowing motion covering a reasonable amount of ground with little effort, while exhibiting correct gaits that are of the proper cadence. The quality of the movement and the correctness and consistency of the gaits is a major consideration. B. Class Procedures: 1. Horses must work both ways of the ring at each of the gaits when called for by the judge. Enter at a fox trot, and when the gate is closed and class is called, suggested order of the gaits is – flat foot, walk, fox trot, flat foot walk, lope, flat foot walk, trail walk, reverse, repeat and line up following directions of ring steward. When the horse is in motion, the rider’s hands shall be clear of horse and saddle. Horses five years old and younger (junior horses) may be shown two handed in either a hackamore (bosal) or snaffle bit. See Section. Equitation/Horsemanship. 2. The judge may call for a halt on the rail to test for quietness. 3. Horses are to be reversed to the inside (away from the rail). They may be required to reverse at the walk, trail walk or fox trot at the discretion of the judge but shall not be asked to reverse at the canter or lope. 4. The judge shall ask the rider to back the horse clear of the line-up and may ask the rider to do a 360-degree neck-reined turn or pivot to the right or left. 5. The judge may ask for additional work of the same nature from any horse. This work out may be for any placement. The judge is not to ask for work other than that listed above. 6. The rider shall not be required to dismount except in the event the judge wishes to check equipment. C. Judging Considerations: 1. This class will be judged on the performance of the horse, with consideration given to the equitation of the rider. 2. The horse should be well-mannered and under control at all times with light contact on the reins. 3. The Western Pleasure horse should work quietly, exhibiting an exceptionally smooth ride while maintaining a natural rhythm. 4. When called for, the horse must be responsive and smooth in its transitions. 5. Maximum credit should be given to the flowing, balanced, rhythmic and willing horse which gives the appearance of being fit and a pleasure to ride. 6. Correct gaits, especially the fox trot, will carry more weight than those horses not in proper gait. 7. The horse should carry his head and neck in a relaxed, natural position, with a natural headshake. The poll should be at or above the level of the withers. He should not carry his head behind the vertical giving the appearance of intimidation or be excessively nosed out giving a resistant appearance. D. Scoring: There is no scoring format for this class. E. Faults/Penalties to be considered according to severity: 1. Excessive speed (any gait), quick, short, pony or vertical strides. 2. Being on wrong lead at the canter. 3. Excessive pumping of the reins at the canter should be severely punished. 4. Breaking gait. 5. Excessive slowness in any gait; loss of forward momentum resulting in an animated and/or artificial gait at the canter. 6. Failure to take the appropriate gait when called for during transition or excessive delay will be penalized. 7. Touching horse or saddle with free hand.