2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

93 e) Continuous holding of the chain portion of the lead shank or lead line tightly coiled around hand or dragging the ground – 2 points. f) Changing hands or placing both hands on the lead shank, except when preparing to show the horse’s teeth – 4 points. 3. Faults of the performance include: a) Drifting of horse while being led – ½ point. b) Horse stopping crooked or dropping a hip out when stopping, setting up or standing – 1 point. c) Backing, leading or turning sluggishly or crooked – 2 points. d) Horse not setting up or excessive time required to set up – 2 points. e) Failure to maintain a pivot foot during turns or stepping behind right front leg with left front leg when turning to the right – 2 points. f) Horse holding head and/or neck crooked when leading, stopping or backing – 2 points. g) Failure to perform maneuvers at designated markers, but horse is on pattern – 3 points. 4. Severe Faults of the overall appearance of exhibitor and horse – 5 points, plus : avoids disqualification, but should be placed below other exhibitors who do not incur severe fault. a) Leading on the off or right side of the horse. b) Complete failure to move around horse by exhibitor and obstructing judge’s view. c) Exhibitor touching the horse or kicking or pointing a foot at the horse’s feet during set up. d) Standing directly in front of horse. e) Exhibitor wearing spurs or chaps/chinks. 5. Severe Faults of the Performance – 5 points, plus: avoids disqualification, but should be placed below other exhibitors who do not incur a severe fault. a) Omission or addition of maneuvers. b) Knocking over a cone. c) Working on the wrong side of the cones. d) Disobedience, balking, moving past or walking into exhibitor, or horse continuously circling the exhibitor. 6. Faults to cause disqualification/elimination: a) Loss of control of horse that endangers exhibitor, other horses or exhibitors or judge, including the horse escaping from the exhibitor. b) Excessive schooling or training. c) Failure of exhibitor to wear correct number in a visible manner. d) Willful abuse. e) Use of artificial aids. f) Severe disobedience including rearing or pawing; horse kicking at other horses exhibitors or judge. F. Equipment and Attire: 1. Horse is to be shown in a western style halter with an appropriate lead line, with or without an attached chain. Silver trim is permitted but shall not count over good working equipment. Halter may be made of leather, synthetic material or nylon. Halter should be clean and well fitted to the horse’s head. Use of Model style show halters will result in penalties. 2. Appropriate western attire must be worn, see Section 5, Versatility Equipment, Paragraph C. Western Attire. 3. Spurs and/or chaps/chinks are prohibited.