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301. General English Rules

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Bridled, Green, Open and Amateur.

  1. Equipment – Mules must be shown in appropriate English tack.
    1. English bridle shall be light show type, with a regulation snaffle, English bit, or full bridle.
    2. Must have a Cavesson noseband.
    3. Hunt seat mules to use a hunting or forward seat saddle.
    4. Saddle seat mules to use a show, cutback, or park saddle and full bridle (double reins on Weymouth or Pelham bit).
    5. Dropped, flash, and figure eight nosebands, hackamores, tie downs, martingales, and draw reins are PROHIBITED. Tie-downs and running martingales are allowed in Hunter/Jumpers.
    6. Whips are allowed in all English classes but must not exceed 30″ for hunt seat and English classes and 47″ including lash, for dressage. Only one whip can be carried when riding. Whips that are weighted are prohibited.
    7. Maximum spur length is 1.5″ with the curve of the spur shank pointing down; no rowels allowed., except in dressage.
  2. Exhibitors must hold reins in each hand and use a direct method of reining.
  3. Attire – Exhibitors must be neatly dressed in suitable attire for type of English equipment for which they are showing in. When allowed by the judge to show without a jacket, a shirt must be long or short-sleeved; no sleeveless shirts unless worn under a jacket. This includes all English flat and fence classes.
    1. Approved safety headgear with chin strap fastened must be used in all over-fence classes, all dressage levels, and by all riders under 18 years old.
    2. Exhibitors showing in hunt seat tack must be neatly dressed in suitable attire – hunt cap, hunt coat, breeches, and tall English boots or jodhpurs with matching half chaps mandatory. Gloves are optional.
    3. Saddle seat riders must be properly attired; a conservative saddle seat suit or coat, derby or soft hat, tie, and boots are mandatory. Gloves are preferred. Formal attire may wear top hat.
    4. English spurs are optional.
  4. See Rule 109.A,D,E and F for English gaits.
  5. Mules to reverse to the inside, away from the rail.
  6. Characteristics of a good English working mule, in addition to Rule 107, are as follows:
    1. Moving with long, low strides, reaching forward with ease.
    2. Able to lengthen stride and cover ground willingly.
    3. Supple in the poll, neck, and body, especially while turning.
  7. Faults of an English mule in addition to Rule 108.
    1. Quick, short, vertical strides.
    2. Excessive speed at any gait or running away.
    3. Slowness at any gait, loss of forward momentum.
    4. Wrong lead at the canter.
    5. Evading or lugging on the bit so light contact cannot be maintained.