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HARNESS

 

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

 

Miniature Horse Federation Inc. follow the Rules and Regulations for the Harness and Driving Classes as adopted by the Australian Carriage Driving Society Inc and amendments as outlined below. The rulebook of the Australian Carriage Driving Society may be obtained directly from http://www.australiancarriagedrivingsociety.org/publications

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A Show Driving horse should display elegance, style, balance, presence, self-carriage, good hock and knee action with light ground covering strides. It should have straight, even and rhythmic movement and should be able to bend and flex in the direction of travel and be light over the ground. The Show Driving horse should be well-presented, conditioned, short-coated, glowing with health, trimmed and presented appropriately, and give the appearance of being a pleasure to handle, watch and drive.

 

General Rules

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  • No horses under 48 months of actual age can compete.

  • All drivers are responsible for knowledge of, and compliance with, the ACDS Show Driving Rules and any MHF Amendments as listed below.

  • Horses must be sound.

  • Correctly fitting breaching is compulsory in all classes except where ‘Tilbury’ or ‘French’ tugs are used. Vehicles fitted with open tugs must have breaching.

  • A whip shall be carried always, the maximum length of which can reach the horses shoulder.

  •  Exhibitor must wear hat, gloves, and apron.

  • Running martingales and overchecks are not permitted.

  •  Blinkers are compulsory for all classes.

  • Boot and wraps are prohibited however ear bonnets are permitted.

  • Change of vehicle for classes in the same division is prohibited.

  • A horse must never be left unattended whilst hitched to or being put into a vehicle.

  • A Junior driver aged 6-10 years inclusive must be accompanied in the vehicle by a competent adult driver at all times and holding a second pair or reins attached to the bit.

  • A Junior driver aged 11-15 years inclusive must be accompanied in the vehicle by a competent adult driver at all times however it is optional for a second pair or reins attached to the bit.

  • A Junior driver aged 16-17 years inclusive may have an adult driver with them at his/her discretion.

  • All Youth MUST wear an Australian approved accredited safety helmet.

  • No Youth can drive a stallion even with a competent adult in attendance.

  • Passengers must enter the vehicle after the driver is seated with the reins in hand and passengers must dismount first.

  • No horse is to be hitched to a cart and driven for its first time at a show

  • Once judging has commenced, there shall be no change of driver

 

 

Ring Rules

 

  • A ten (10) minute maximum warm up period will be offered in the ring before the commencement of judging.

  • One adjustment of equipment by an attendant is allowed in the ring before judging commences.

  • The judge may excuse from competition any unsafe vehicle or equipment, or any unruly horse.

  • All harness exhibitors MUST provide a header for all harness events. The header must be 16 years old or over and must remain in the marshalling area and provide immediate assistance if required.

  • A driver is permitted to talk quietly to their horse, however shouting and whistling is not permitted.

 

 

Disqualifications

 

  • Evidence of lameness - judge will immediately excuse horse from the arena

  • Blatant striking horse with the whip

  • Horse falls

  • Loss of control of the horse to the point that the horse is loose in the arena

  • Exhibitor disrespect towards the judge(s)

  • Any unnecessary aggressive or abusive behaviour from the competitor towards the horse

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