2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

95 disqualification, but should be severely penalized and the exhibitor should not place above an exhibitor that completes the pattern correctly. d) The horse should track straight, freely and at the proper cadence for the prescribed gait. Transitions should be smooth and prompt in both the pattern and on the rail. e) The horse’s head and neck should be straight and in line with the body while performing straight lines and slightly arched to the inside on the curved lines or circles. Circles should be round and performed at the appropriate speed, size and location as requested in the pattern. The counter-canter should be performed smoothly with no change in cadence or stride unless specified in the pattern. f) The stop should be straight, square, prompt, smooth and responsive with the horse maintaining a straight body position throughout the maneuver. g) The back should be smooth and responsive. h) Turns should be smooth and continuous. When performing a turn on the haunches, the horse should pivot on the inside hind leg and step across with the front legs. A rollback is a stop and 180 degree turn over the hocks with no hesitation. Backing during turns will be penalized severely. i) The horse should step across with the front and hind legs when performing the side pass, leg yield and two-track. The side pass should be performed with the horse keeping the body straight while moving sideways laterally in the specified direction. When performing a leg yield, the horse should move forward and lateral in a diagonal direction with the horse’s body arced opposite to the direction that the horse is moving. In the two tracks, the horse should move forward and lateral in a diagonal direction with the horse’s body held straight or bent in the direction the horse is moving. j) Forehand turns should be performed as follows: a turn on the forehand to the right is accomplished by moving the haunches to the left. A forehand turn to the left is accomplished my moving the haunches to the right. k) A simple or flying change of lead should be executed precisely in the specified number of strides and / or at the designated location. A simple change of lead is performed by breaking to a walk or fox trot for one to three strides. Flying changes should be completed in a single maneuver. All changes should be smooth and timely. l) Position of the exhibitor and performance of the horse and rider on the rail must be considered in the final placing. D. Scoring: Scoring will be on the basis of 0 - Infinity, with 70 denoting an average performance. Each element of the pattern and rail work will receive points from +1 ½ (Excellent) to -1 ½ (Extremely Poor). These points will be added/subtracted from the base score of 70. Appearance/Equitation will be scored from 1 - 10 (1 being extremely poor and 10 being exceptional), adding to the score. Penalties will then be deducted to arrive at the final score. E. Faults/Penalties: 1. Faults can be classified as minor, major or severe. The judge will determine the appropriate classification of a fault based upon the degree and/or frequency of the infraction. Listed below are suggested point allocations that may be applied for various faults. a) A minor fault will result in a ½ to 4 point deduction from the exhibitor’s score. b) A major fault will result in a deduction of 4 points or more. c) An exhibitor that incurs a severe fault (5), such as failure to follow prescribed pattern, knocking over or working on the wrong side of the cones, or severe disobedience avoids elimination, but should be penalized severely, and the exhibitor should not place above an exhibitor that completes the pattern correctly. d) A minor fault can become a major fault and a major fault can become a severe fault when the degree and/or frequency of the infraction(s) merits. 2. Faults in the overall appearance of exhibitor and horse include: (½ to 4 point deduction) a) Loose, sloppy dirty or poor fitting clothing or hat – 1 point. b) Over-cueing with reins and/or legs – 2 points.