Mountain
Pleasure Horse Association
Show Rules 2005
1. ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for showing in Mountain Pleasure Horse classes, horses must be
permanently registered with the Mountain Pleasure Horse Association.
2. PROOF OF REGISTRATION AND HEALTH PAPERS
To show in any Mountain Pleasure Horse class exhibitors must provide proof of
current coggins test and registration. Photocopy of horse registration papers
will be acceptable. This will be known as PAPERS IN HAND.
3. COLOR OF HORSE
The color of a horse will not be a consideration in judging a Mountain Pleasure
Horse in any Mountain Pleasure Horse class.
4. SHOEING
If shod all four feet must be shod with plain keg shoes, manufactured of the
same alloy. The width shall not exceed 3/4 of an inch. The thickness shall not
exceed 3/8 of an inch. Calks on the heel and or toe are permitted as long as
they do not exceed 3/8 of an inch. Snug amounts of borium are permitted as long
as the sole purpose is for traction on hard, slick surfaces such as asphalt
outside the show ring.
5. DESIGNATED QUALIFIED PERSON (DQP)
When showing at any horse show having a DQP horses shall be presented for
inspection. The decision of the DQP is final.
6. NATURALNESS OF BREED
Through selective breeding, we strive to produce natural gaited horses, To this
end, no action devices or harsh training aides are needed or allowed. While
normal grooming preparations are allowed, (A). Makeup (other than on hoofs) or
any other means of Artificially changing the appearance of the horse is
prohibited. The DQP may disqualify any horse not in accordance with this section
before the horse enters the show ring and the Judge or Ring Master may
disqualify and/or dismiss any horse in the show ring being judged not in
accordance with this section. (See section 7 for penalties) (B). All horses
scarred by training devices shall be prohibited from showing. Any horse showing
evidence of soreing shall be prohibited from showing. Any horse showing evidence
of "gingering" (stimulation of the tail) or evidence of physical
alteration of the natural structure of the tail in any way shall be prohibited
from showing. The DQP may disqualify any horse not in accordance with this
section before the horse enters the show ring and the Judge or Ring Master may
disqualify and/or dismiss any horse in the show ring being judged not in
accordance with this section. (C). Any stimulant, depressant, tranquilizer, pain
relieving medication, or substance which might affect the performance of a horse
is forbidden. All entrants agree to allow a blood sample to be drawn to check
for forbidden substances.
To call for a drug test, the party calling for the test must post a bond of
$200.00 to cover Vet. expense. If the horse or horses in question test positive
the bond will be refunded, and all expense, penalties, and disqualification will
be imposed on the owner of the horse or horses in question. (See section 7 for
penalties)
7. PENALTIES
The owner of any horse disqualified will not be allowed to show any horses in an
sanctioned Mountain Pleasure Horse Association classes for the remainder of the
current show season. If disqualified at the Mountain Pleasure Horse World Show,
The owner of the horse will not be allowed to show in any Mountain Pleasure
Horse Association sanctioned shows in the following show season. Anyone
disqualified may present their case before a Mountain Pleasure Horse Association
Board of Directors Meeting for a final ruling.
8. CONTACT WITH THE JUDGE(S)
Participants and/or owners should not have contact with the Judge or Judges
during, the show. Violators will be prohibited from showing for the remainder of
that show.
9. RING CONDUCT
Horses must be under control and obedient at all times. Anyone not in control of
their horse shall be excused from the show ring.
In all classes, the exhibitor shall space his or her horse on the rail in such a
manner so as to avoid bunching up. If, for any reason, any exhibitor wishes to
leave the show ring or dismount, they should always request permission from the
Ring Master.
10. TACK APPOINTMENTS
(A) Style of tack and saddle shall not be part of the criteria for judging. Tack
should be neat and clean in appearance.
(B) Bridles must be appropriate for tack used. Bits are required and may be of
any type. Bits with shanks shall not exceed 8 inches in length. Crossed
cavessons, tie downs, mechanical hackamores and martingales are prohibited.
(C) Spurs are allowed as long as they do not break the skin or draw blood.
Riding crops or whips will be allowed as long as they do not exceed 36 inches in
length.
11. PERSONAL APPOINTMENTS
No t-shirts are permitted. The gate person may disqualify any exhibitor not in
accordance with this section before the horse enters the show ring and the Ring
Master may disqualify and/or dismiss any horse in the show ring being judged not
in accordance with this section. Attire shall be in keeping with the type of
tack used. Exhibitors should remember that even though these are pleasure
classes, it is a Horse Show Class. Attire shall consist of a dress shirt or
blouse, full length trousers or slacks, and boots. Hats coats and/or vest, and
ties are optional. But are encouraged at the MPHA World Show.
12. JUVENILE EXHIBITORS
Juvenile Exhibitors are age 17 and under, and will remain 17 through the entire
show season. With the sole exception of Weanlings no Juvenile will be permitted
to show a Stallion. All Juveniles are encouraged to show in a riding helmet.
Individual shows may have different age requirements, and these requirements
will be adhered to.
13. SHOW GAITS
Smoothness and Naturalness of the gait are the most important aspects of judging
the Mountain Pleasure Horse.
EXCESSIVE SPEED, KNEE AND/OR HOCK ACTION SHALL BE PENALIZED.
EXCESSIVE SPEED SHALL BE DEFINED AS BECOMING LIGHT IN FRONT OR STRUNG OUT IN
BACK, LOSS OF FORM, CADENCE OR SMOOTHNESS.
EXCESSIVE KNEE ACTION SHALL BE DEFINED AS: THE TOE OF THE HORSE BREAKS ABOVE
HALFWAY TO THE KNEE.
THE GAITS TO BE CALLED ARE:
1. Mountain Walk - This gait will consist of a flat walk. (As in a trail walk)
2. Mountain Pleasure Gait - A lightly collected, evenly spaced four-beat lateral
gait with moderate forward speed and extension. This is a natural pleasure gait
such as a singlefoot or mountain run walk (with neither being more desirable
than the other as long as it is being performed naturally and consistently). The
horse should appear smooth and balanced while demonstrating pride and
enthusiasm, along with good manners and a ready response to the rider. Extension
and flexion must be harmonious, with no tendency to become light in front or
strung out behind. Loss of form, cadence or smoothness due to excessive speed
SHALL BE PENALIZED.
14. JUDGING CRITERIA
Under Saddle Classes shall be judged as follows: 50%-Gait, 25%-Style &
Conformation, 25%-Backing, Manners and Disposition.
15. CLASS PROCEDURE
The exhibitor should expect to enter the ring on the rail, and circle the ring
in a counterclockwise direction and wait at the gate until all exhibitors have
entered the ring. Exhibitors shall enter the ring at a Mountain Walk. After all
exhibitors have entered the ring, the ring announcer will ask for a Mountain
Walk and continue at the following sequence: (1) Mountain Walk, (2) Mountain
Pleasure Gait, (3) Mountain Walk, (4) Stop and Reverse, (5) Mountain Walk, (6)
Mountain Pleasure Gait, (7) Mountain Walk. Line up will be directed by the Ring
Master. Riders, will be asked to back their horses by the Judge or the Ring
Master. Exhibitors will then return to the lineup and await instructions.
16. HALTER CLASS JUDGING CRITERIA
Halter Classes shall be judged as follows: 50%-Conformation, 25%-Appearance,
25%-Manners and Disposition.
17. HALTER CLASS PROCEDURE AND REQUIREMENTS
Exhibitors shall be allowed to show their halter horses in plain halters with
lead snapped to the halter; in plain halters with stud chain over the nose,
under the jaw, or in a bridle or halter with an approved bit.
Exhibitions showing stallions or colts 1 year old and up will be required to
show their horses with stud chain over the nose, under the jaw, or in a bridle
or halter with an approved bit. Exhibiting Stallions in a bridle or halter with
an approved bit is encouraged. Exhibitors must maintain complete control over
their horses at all times or they will be excused from the ring.
The exhibitors should enter the ring to the right on the rail and make one lap
of the ring. They shall then line up as directed by the Ring Master. Exhibitors
may be asked to individually walk or gait (according to the judge’s
discretion) their entry in front of the judges, and then return to the line-up.
Juvenile handlers will not be asked to gait their horses for the judges.
The horses shall remain lined up for final judging and await the results.
18. GRIEVANCES
Anyone who feels that they have been wronged at the Mountain Pleasure Horse
Association Showing, can voice their protest to the Mountain Pleasure Horse
Association Board Of Directors, at a monthly meeting.
MPHA
P.O. Box 112
Mt. Olivet, KY 41064
606.724.2591