​Miniature Horse Federation Inc.

SENIOR - TROT POLES

 

Horses must be 48 months of actual age or over only are eligible to compete in this event.

 

The horse must trot through and/or over a sequence of ground poles without touching the poles.  The trot over poles for juniors are to be set in a straight line only.  The horse will gain points for staying in centre while going over poles.

 

Trot Over

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The distance between poles for Miniature Horses will be a minimum of  2 feet

The distance between poles for Small Horses will be a minimum of  2 ½ feet

The distance between poles for Little Horses will be a minimum of 3 feet

 

Horses will be judged on the following:

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• Overall ability of the horse to maintain a controlled forward gait at the trot over a series of trot poles.

• Horses willingness to go forward.

• Horses exaggerated raised stride to keep from tipping poles, to show they are attentive to the pole obstacle.

• Horse has clear run, without tipping or touching/moving poles.

 

Judges decision is final.

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Penalties

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• Handler or Exhibit ticking, tipping, rolling, moving or knocking any poles.

• Horse jumping or leaping over the poles.

• Failure to follow the correct line of travel within or between poles, which includes, swinging out away from the poles by horse or refusing to trot over poles or baulking at the poles.

• Handler walking inside the obstacle.

 

Disqualification

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• Horse or handler falling

• Horse getting away from handler

• Abuse of the horse by the handler

• Carrying a whip

• Having a bit in the horse’s mouth

• Leaving the arena without the judges or stewards permission

• Exhibitor being disrespectful to judge or steward

• The judge, at his/her discretion, may disqualify a contestant for excessive use of the lead or abusive behaviour towards the horse on the handler’s part

• Any unacceptable negative behaviour of the horse towards the handler - biting, striking etc