Western tack and attire. See Rule 210 Exception: Exhibitor’s wearing of a safety helmet and leg wraps and/or boots on mule are optional at the exhibitor’s discretion.
Equitation
The mulemanship class is designed to evaluate the rider’s ability to execute, in concert with their mule, a set of maneuvers prescribed by the judge with precision and smoothness while exhibiting poise and confidence and maintaining a balanced, functional, and fundamentally correct body position. The ideal mulemanship pattern is extremely precise, with the rider and mule working in complete unison, executing each maneuver with subtle aids and cues.
It is mandatory that the judge post any pattern(s) to be worked at least one hour prior to the commencement of the class; however, if the judge requires additional work of exhibitors for consideration of final placing, the pattern may be posted. Pattern(s) should be designed to test the rider’s ability. All ties will be broken at the judge’s discretion.
Class Procedures. All exhibitors must enter the ring and then work individually or each exhibitor may be worked from the gate individually. When exhibitors are worked individually from the gate, a working order is required. Exhibitors should be instructed to either leave the arena, fall into line, or fall into place on the rail after their work. The whole class, or just the finalists, may work at all three gaits at least one direction of the arena. All three gaits and a back must be asked for at some time during the class.
The following maneuvers are acceptable in a pattern: walk, jog, trot, extended trot, lope, or extended lope in a straight line, curved line, serpentine, circle, or figure 8, or combination of these gaits and maneuvers; stop; back in a straight or curved line; turn or pivot, including spins and roll-backs on the haunches and/or on the forehand; side pass, two track, or leg yield; flying or simple change of lead; counter canter; or any other maneuver; or ride without stirrups. A back should be asked for at some time during the class. Judges should not ask the exhibitors to mount or dismount.
Overall Appearance of Exhibitor and Mule: The exhibitor’s overall poise, confidence, appearance, and position throughout the class, as well as the physical appearance of the mule, will be evaluated.
Appearance and Position of Exhibitor. Appropriate western attire must be worn. Clothes and person are to be neat and clean.
Position of Exhibitor. The exhibitor should appear natural in the seat and ride with a balanced, functional, and correct position regardless of the maneuver or gait being performed. During the railwork and pattern, the exhibitor should have a strong, secure, and proper position. Exhibitors should sit and maintain an upright position with the upper body at all gaits. The rider should sit in the center of the saddle and the mule’s back with the legs hanging to form a straight line from the ear, through the center of the shoulder and hip, touching the back of the heel, or through the ankle. The heels should be lower than the toes, with a slight bend in the knee and the lower leg should be directly under the knee.
The rider’s back should be flat, relaxed, and supple. An overly stiff and/or overly arched lower back will be penalized. The shoulders should be back, level, and square. The rider’s base of support should maintain secure contact with the saddle from the seat to the inner thigh. Light contact should be maintained with the saddle and mule from the knee to mid-calf. The knee should point forward and remain closed with no space between the exhibitor’s knee and the saddle. The exhibitor will be penalized for positioning the legs excessively behind or forward of the vertical position. Regardless of the type of stirrup, the feet may be placed home in the stirrup, with the boot heel touching the stirrup, or may be placed with the ball of the foot in the center of the stirrup. The rider’s toes should be pointing straight ahead or slightly turned out, with the ankles straight or slightly broken. Riding with toes only in the stirrup will be penalized. Those exhibitors that can maintain the proper position throughout all maneuvers should receive more credit. When riding without stirrups, the exhibitor should maintain the same position as previously described.
Both hands and arms should be held in a relaxed, easy manner, with the upper arm in a straight line with the body. The arm holding the reins should be bent at the elbow, forming a line from the elbow to the mule’s mouth. The free hand and arm may be carried bent at the elbow in a similar position as the hand holding the reins or straight down at the rider’s side. Excessive pumping of the free arm, as well as excessive stiffness, will be penalized. The rider’s wrist is to be kept straight and relaxed, with the hand held at about 30 to 45 degrees inside the vertical. The rein hand should be carried immediately above or slightly in front of the saddle horn. The reins should be adjusted so that the rider has light contact with the mule’s mouth, and at no time shall reins require more than a slight hand movement to control the mule. Excessively tight or loose reins will be penalized.
The rider’s head should be held with the chin level and the eyes forward, and may be directed slightly toward the direction of travel. Excessive turning of the head to the inside of the circle or down at the mule’s head or shoulder will be penalized.
The exhibitor should not crowd the exhibitor next to or in front of them when working on the rail and should pass to the inside of the arena. When reversing on the rail, the exhibitor should always reverse to the inside of the arena.
Appearance Of Mule. The mule’s body condition and overall health and fitness should be assessed. The mule should appear fit and carry weight appropriate for the body size. A mule which appears sullen, dull, lethargic, emaciated, drawn, or overly tired should be penalized according to severity. Tack should fit properly and be neat, clean and in good repair.
Performance. The exhibitor should perform the work accurately, precisely, smoothly, and with a reasonable amount of promptness. Increasing speed of the maneuvers performed increases the degree of difficulty, however, accuracy and precision should not be sacrificed for mule to move without adequate impulsion, collection, or cadence will be penalized. The mule should perform all maneuvers in the pattern willingly, briskly, and readily with minimal visible or audible cueing.
Excessive schooling or training, or willful abuse by the exhibitor is cause for disqualification.
The mule should track straight, freely, and at the proper cadence for the prescribed gait. Transitions should be smooth and prompt in the pattern and on the rail and should be performed when called for on the rail. The mule’s head and neck should be straight and in line with its body while performing straight lines and slightly arched to the inside on 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.
The stop should be straight, square, prompt, smooth, and responsive with the mule maintaining a straight body position throughout the maneuver. The back should be smooth and responsive.
Turns should be smooth and continuous. When performing a turn on the haunches, the mule 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.
The mule should step across with the front and hind legs when performing the sidepass, leg yield, and two track. The sidepass should be performed with the mule keeping the body straight while moving directly lateral in the specified direction. When performing a leg yield, the mule should move forward and lateral in a diagonal direction, with the mule’s body arced opposite to the direction that the mule is moving. In the two track, the mule should move forward and lateral in a diagonal direction with the mule’s body held straight or bent in the direction the mule is moving.
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 trot for one to three strides. Flying changes should be simultaneous front and rear. All changes should be smooth and timely.
Position of the exhibitor and performance of the mule and rider on the rail must be considered in the final placing.
Faults. 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. An exhibitor that incurs a severe fault avoids elimination but should be placed below all other exhibitors that complete the pattern correctly. A minor fault can become a major fault, and a major fault can be a severe fault when the degree and/or frequency of the infraction(s) merits.
Minor Faults (5 Point Deduction):
Tick or hit of cone.
Over or under turn from 1/8 to 1/4.
Break of gait from a walk, jog, or trot up to two strides.
Obviously looking down to check leads.
Major Faults(10 Point Deduction):
Incorrect lead or break of gait (except when correcting an incorrect lead) at the lope.
Not performing the specific gait or not stopping when called for in the pattern within 10 feet (3 meters) of the designated location.
Break of gait at walk, jog, or trot for more than 2 strides.
Loss of stirrup.
Head carried too low and/or clearly behind the vertical while the mule is in motion, showing the appearance of intimidation.
Severe Faults(20 Point Deduction):
Loss of rein.
Use of either hand to instill fear or praise while on pattern or during rail work.
Grabbing the saddle horn or any other part of the saddle.
Cueing with the end of the romale.
Spurring in front of the cinch.
Blatant disobedience, including kicking, pawing, bucking, and rearing.
Going off pattern, including knocking over or wrong side of cone or marker; never performing designated gait or lead; over or under turning more than 1/4 turn. (Exhibitors going off pattern, knocking over or on wrong side of cone, never performing specified gait, or over-turning more than 1/4 turn than designated, shall not be disqualified, but must always place below exhibitors not incurring a major faults.)
Faults Scored According to Severity include:
Head carried too low and/or clearly behind the vertical excessively and consistently while the mule is in motion, showing the appearance of intimidation.
Disqualifications(must not be placed):
Failure by the exhibitor to wear a correct number in a visible manner.
Inhumane treatment of mule.
Excessive schooling or training.
Fall of mule or rider.
Illegal use of hands on reins.
Use of prohibited equipment.
Scoring. Exhibitors are to be scored from 0 to 100. One-half-point increments are acceptable. Run content scores will be indicated as follows:
+(plus) = Above Average
(checkmark) = Average
-(minus) = Below Average
An additional + (excellent) or -(well below average) may be given
Final Scoring shall be on a basis of 0-100, with an approximate breakdown as follows:
90-100 Excellent rider, including body position and use of aids. Completes pattern accurately, quickly, smoothly, and precisely while demonstrating a high level of professionalism.
80-89 Very good performance in execution of the pattern as well as correct mulemanship and use of aid.
70-79 Good pattern execution and average mulemanship, lacking adequate style and professional presentation, merit elevating to the next scoring range.
60-69 Fair pattern that lacks quickness or precision or rider has obvious position and/or appearance faults that prevents effective mulemanship.
40-59 A rider that demonstrates a lack of riding ability and knowledge of correct body position.
10-39 Rider that commits more than one severe fault of multiple major faults in performance or exhibits poor riding skills but completes the class and avoids disqualification.
Final Scoring shall be on a basis of 0-100, with an approximate breakdown as follows:
90-100 Excellent rider, including body position and use of aids. Completes pattern accurately, quickly, smoothly, and precisely while demonstrating a high level of professionalism.
80-89 Very good performance in execution of the pattern as well as correct mulemanship and use of aid.
70-79 Good pattern execution and average mulemanship, lacking adequate style and professional presentation, merit elevating to the next scoring range.
60-69 Fair pattern that lacks quickness or precision or rider has obvious position and/or appearance faults that prevents effective mulemanship.
40-59 A rider that demonstrates a lack of riding ability and knowledge of correct body position.
10-39 Rider that commits more than one severe fault of multiple major faults in performance or exhibits poor riding skills but completes the class and avoids disqualification.
Final Scoring shall be on a basis of 0-100, with an approximate breakdown as follows:
90-100 Excellent rider, including body position and use of aids. Completes pattern accurately, quickly, smoothly, and precisely while demonstrating a high level of professionalism.
80-89 Very good performance in execution of the pattern as well as correct mulemanship and use of aid.
70-79 Good pattern execution and average mulemanship, lacking adequate style and professional presentation, merit elevating to the next scoring range.
60-69 Fair pattern that lacks quickness or precision or rider has obvious position and/or appearance faults that prevents effective mulemanship.
40-59 A rider that demonstrates a lack of riding ability and knowledge of correct body position.
10-39 Rider that commits more than one severe fault of multiple major faults in performance or exhibits poor riding skills but completes the class and avoids disqualification.
Final Scoring shall be on a basis of 0-100, with an approximate breakdown as follows:
90-100 Excellent rider, including body position and use of aids. Completes pattern accurately, quickly, smoothly, and precisely while demonstrating a high level of professionalism.
80-89 Very good performance in execution of the pattern as well as correct mulemanship and use of aid.
70-79 Good pattern execution and average mulemanship, lacking adequate style and professional presentation, merit elevating to the next scoring range.
60-69 Fair pattern that lacks quickness or precision or rider has obvious position and/or appearance faults that prevents effective mulemanship.
40-59 A rider that demonstrates a lack of riding ability and knowledge of correct body position.
10-39 Rider that commits more than one severe fault of multiple major faults in performance or exhibits poor riding skills but completes the class and avoids disqualification.
Final Scoring shall be on a basis of 0-100, with an approximate breakdown as follows:
90-100 Excellent rider, including body position and use of aids. Completes pattern accurately, quickly, smoothly, and precisely while demonstrating a high level of professionalism.
80-89 Very good performance in execution of the pattern as well as correct mulemanship and use of aid.
70-79 Good pattern execution and average mulemanship, lacking adequate style and professional presentation, merit elevating to the next scoring range.
60-69 Fair pattern that lacks quickness or precision or rider has obvious position and/or appearance faults that prevents effective mulemanship.
40-59 A rider that demonstrates a lack of riding ability and knowledge of correct body position.
10-39 Rider that commits more than one severe fault of multiple major faults in performance or exhibits poor riding skills but completes the class and avoids disqualification.
Final Scoring shall be on a basis of 0-100, with an approximate breakdown as follows:
90-100 Excellent rider, including body position and use of aids. Completes pattern accurately, quickly, smoothly, and precisely while demonstrating a high level of professionalism.
80-89 Very good performance in execution of the pattern as well as correct mulemanship and use of aid.
70-79 Good pattern execution and average mulemanship, lacking adequate style and professional presentation, merit elevating to the next scoring range.
60-69 Fair pattern that lacks quickness or precision or rider has obvious position and/or appearance faults that prevents effective mulemanship.
40-59 A rider that demonstrates a lack of riding ability and knowledge of correct body position.
10-39 Rider that commits more than one severe fault of multiple major faults in performance or exhibits poor riding skills but completes the class and avoids disqualification.
Final Scoring shall be on a basis of 0-100, with an approximate breakdown as follows:
90-100 Excellent rider, including body position and use of aids. Completes pattern accurately, quickly, smoothly, and precisely while demonstrating a high level of professionalism.
80-89 Very good performance in execution of the pattern as well as correct mulemanship and use of aid.
70-79 Good pattern execution and average mulemanship, lacking adequate style and professional presentation, merit elevating to the next scoring range.
60-69 Fair pattern that lacks quickness or precision or rider has obvious position and/or appearance faults that prevents effective mulemanship.
40-59 A rider that demonstrates a lack of riding ability and knowledge of correct body position.
10-39 Rider that commits more than one severe fault of multiple major faults in performance or exhibits poor riding skills but completes the class and avoids disqualification.
Final Scoring shall be on a basis of 0-100, with an approximate breakdown as follows:
90-100 Excellent rider, including body position and use of aids. Completes pattern accurately, quickly, smoothly, and precisely while demonstrating a high level of professionalism.
80-89 Very good performance in execution of the pattern as well as correct mulemanship and use of aid.
70-79 Good pattern execution and average mulemanship, lacking adequate style and professional presentation, merit elevating to the next scoring range.
60-69 Fair pattern that lacks quickness or precision or rider has obvious position and/or appearance faults that prevents effective mulemanship.
40-59 A rider that demonstrates a lack of riding ability and knowledge of correct body position.
10-39 Rider that commits more than one severe fault of multiple major faults in performance or exhibits poor riding skills but completes the class and avoids disqualification.