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102. General Performance Rules

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Mules shown in the Bridled Division may not be shown in the Green Mule Divisions.

  1. Equipment – All mules shall be ridden in appropriate type saddles, bridles, and bits for that specific division.
    1. Western Classes – All Bridled mules shall be shown in a bridle with a shank bit using one hand on the reins. See Appendix A, for bit diagrams.
      1. Freehand may hold romal or loose ends of reins no closer than 16 inches to the rein hand. Reins must remain loose between hands. Rein hand cannot be changed during performance.
      2. Mules may be shown with leather or chain curb straps. These must meet with the approval of the judge. Must be at least 3/8 inch in width and lie flat against the jaw. NO WIRE CURBS, regardless of how padded or covered.
      3. Only the index or first finger may be used between split reins if the excess rein falls on the reining hand side of the mule. No finger is permitted between joined reins.
      4. First-year bridled mules may show in “two-rein equipment.” This is a legal shank bit over a rawhide or leather bosal/hackamore of any size with a non-metal flexible core (no iron or foreign substance may be used). Only one hand may be used on the reins and hands must not be changed (exception for trail classes where it is required to complete a task). Any number of fingers between the reins will be permitted. Both Mecate and bridle reins are to be held in the rein hand (limited to ranch classes).
    2. Other Classes – For non-Western classes, please refer to the general rules under the specific discipline.
  2. Other Equipment – All Classes
    1. Tie-downs, martingales, cavessons (except in English), and draw reins are prohibited. Tie-downs, martingales and cavessons ONLY allowed in Roping, Penning, Gymkhana, and Jumpers (Rule 313) Also, see (Rule 106) Cavessons are mandatory in English, Dressage, and Pleasure Driving.
    2. Other Equipment – Saddle Breeching, Cruppers and Tapaderos shall be allowed without penalty.
    3. Protective boots or wraps may be used in events where speed is essential, such as Gymkhana events, Reining, Jumping, and Gambler’s Choice classes.
    4. Protective gear is NOT allowed in Trail, Western Riding, Working Hunters, etc. Protective boots and/or wraps are only allowed in speed events, roping events, cattle events and jumpers.
  3. Attire
    1. Western Attire – Western hat, belt, western boots, long sleeve shirt with sleeves down and snapped or buttoned if they have them. Authentic suspender pants must be worn with suspenders. Shirts must be tucked in unless they are designed to be worn out. No bare midriffs are to show. Long pants are required.
    2. English Attire – Proper attire for the type of English saddle that is ridden. This includes jumper classes.
    3. No sleeveless shirts unless used under a jacket.
    4. Means shall be utilized to keep hat on during competition.
    5. Silver equipment, spurs, shotgun chaps, chinks, ties, riata or lariat, hobbles and rain slickers are optional, not to be considered by judge.