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COMMAND RESPONSE

 

Horses must be 48 months of actual age or over to compete in this event

 

 

 

The horse is NOT to be judged on conformation or quality of movement.  This discipline is to be judged solely on the horse’s willingness and response to each exercise.

 

The object of this disciple is to maintain LIGHT contact with the horse through the lead throughout all exercise’s.

 

In each of the exercises at walk and trot the horse is to maintain the same position to handler e.g. Handler at the head of the horse, or handler at the should of the horse.

 

Course

 

The judge or steward will call each part of the discipline in whatever sequence they determine: 

 

  • Walk on 6 to 10 steps

  • Trot on 6 to 10 steps

  • Increase pace at trot 6 to 10 steps

  • Decrease pace at trot 6 to 10 steps

  • Walk 6 to 10 Steps

  • Halt

  • Horse to maintain halt while handler backs away from the front of the horse to the end of the lead

  • Horse to maintain halt while handler, at the end of the lead, walks down near side (left side0 of horse towards rump of horse and stops for 3 seconds

  • Horse to maintain halt while handler, at end of the lead, walks back on near side (left side) of horse towards front of horse and continues down off side (right side of horse towards rump of horse and stops for 3 seconds.

  • Horse to maintain halt while handler, at end of lead, walks back off side (right side) of horse towards front of horse and stops for 3 seconds

  • From halt horse to back 4 to 6 steps and halt

  • From halt horse to trot off

  • From trot horse to halt

  • From halt horse to move whole body away from handler towards offside (right side)

  • From halt horse to move whole body away from handler towards near side (left side)

  • At walk horse to move away from handler (to the side) to end of lead and back towards handler maintaining an even pace.

  • At trot horse to move away from handler (to the side) to end of lead and back towards handler maintaining an even pace.

 

Commands may be communicated to the horse through Voice, by hand signals and pointing.

 

If on the second attempt the horse fails to complete an exercise is it to continue to the next exercise.

 

Scoring

 

Horses are to be given a score of 50 with penalties taken off and highest points in consecutive places

 

Horses are to be given credit for

  • Maintaining the same position to the handler

  • Maintaining light contact through the lead

  • Willingness and evenness of going

  • An alert co-operative attitude

 

Penalties – 4 points for

 

  • The handler touching the horse or the horse touching the handler

  • Pulling or dragging on the lead by either the horse or the handler

  • Horse running away from the handler

  • Refusal to move when directed by the handler

  • Aggressively shaking of the lead rope to intimidate horse to move away by the handler

  • Physically pushing the horse or poking the horse to make it move in any direction

  • Backing horse by aggressively shaking the lead rope

  • The horse showing fear or resentment towards the handler throughout the course

  • Swinging the lead rope threateningly

 

Disqualification

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  • If at any time a handler strikes the horse

  • Carrying a whip

  • Blatant disobedience of horse (kicking out, bucking, rearing, striking)

  • Having a bit in the horse’s mouth

  • Leaving arena without permission of the Judge or Steward

  • Exhibitor disrespectful towards the judge(s)

 

Equipment

 

  • Halters can be made of leather, plastic or webbing that sits flat against the horse’s head and across the nose.  No buckle is to be on the noseband. Rope halters are allowed as long as the knots are not positioned to be used as pressure point areas on the horse’s head and face, for example knots should not be on the bridge of the nose they can be to each side. Knots cannot be behind the poll.

  • The lead can be flat as in webbing or rounded and must attach under the chinstrap.  The lead attachment can be a loop, which the lead threads back through or it can be a clip with a swivel.  The lead must not be shorter than 1.8 metres (6 feet) and it should not be longer than 2.4 metres (8 feet).

 

 

Prohibited Equipment

 

  • Whips or any other object other than stated in Acceptable equipment

  • Chains either in mouth, under or over face of the horse, nor can they be attached to the lead

  • Bridles and bits

  • Wrapping of any kind anywhere on the halter that could conceal any pressure knots or objects

  • Any gear that is used for a head check.

 

Appropriate Attire for Handler

 

As in all MHF Inc Shows the handlers must be dressed according to the show rules dress code.

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