2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

90 b) Maximum credit shall be given to the flowing, balanced and willing horse which gives the appearance of being fit and a pleasure to ride. A Saddle Seat horse may exhibit more animation than a Hunt Seat horse. 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 and 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 transitions or excessive delay will be penalized. 7. Head carried too high. 8. Head carried too low (such that poll is below withers). 9. Over flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical. 10. Excessive nosing out. 11. Opening mouth excessively. Failure to maintain light contact with horse’s mouth. 12. Reins draped to the point that light contact with the horse’s mouth is not maintained. 13. Stumbling. 14. Use of spurs forward of the cinch or excessive use of spurs. 15. A horse which appears sullen, dull, lethargic, emaciated, drawn or overly tired. 16. Faults which will be cause for disqualification: a) Unsound or lame horses should be dismissed. b) Unruly (out of control) horses should be dismissed. c) Use of prohibited equipment. F. Equipment and Attire: See Section 5, Paragraph A and D through G. Section 8. Showmanship at Halter A. Class Description: Showmanship class is a pattern class, designed to demonstrate the exhibitor’s ability to fit and show a horse at halter. The horse is merely a prop to show the ability and preparation of the exhibitor. The ideal showmanship performance consists of a poised, confident, neatly attired exhibitor leading a well- groomed and conditioned horse that performs the requested pattern with promptness, smoothness and precision. Pattern (s) should be designed to test the showman’s ability to effectively present a horse to the judge. All ties will be broken at the judge’s discretion. B. Class P rocedures: 1. It is mandatory that the judge post any pattern to be worked at least one hour prior to the commencement of the class; however, if the judge requires additional work of exhibitors for consideration of final placing, the final pattern may not be posted. 2. All exhibitors may enter the ring and then work individually, or each exhibitor may be worked from the gate individually. When exhibitors are worked individually from the gate, a working order is required. 3. The following maneuvers are considered acceptable: lead the horse at a walk, fox trot, or back in a straight or curved line, or a combination of straight and curved lines; stop; turn 90 degrees (¼ turn), 180 degrees (½ turn), 270 degrees (¾ turn), 360 degrees (full turn) or any combination or multiple of these turns. The judge must have each exhibitor set the horse up for inspection sometime during the class. The "Quarter Method" shall be used when presenting the horse to the Judge for inspection. C. Judging Consideration: