311. Working Hunter

Bridled and Green.

  1. Mules to be worked over a course of eight or more jumping efforts. Approved courses must be used. Two options for approved courses may be used. Option 1: Any approved course or set of courses may be used from Appendix B. Option 2: Management may choose to design the courses but must have them approved prior to the start of their show by the AMA course committee. If taken from the Appendix, the show manager shall choose the course( s). Courses are to be designated Bridled, Green, Bridled and Green (with different height requirements), and Open. Course to be posted one hour prior to class.
    1. Course must contain at least two changes of direction.
    2. Fences should simulate obstacles found in the hunting field, such as post and rails, brush, stone wall, chicken coop, gate, etc. At least one spread fence consisting of at least two elements is required. Spread of fence will not exceed height of fence. Square oxers are prohibited. A minimum 2″ difference is required for the back element of an obstacle. A ground line on the take off side is required for all obstacles.
      • Green Mules 2’6″ maximum.
      • Bridle Mules 2’6″ to 3′ maximum (but at least 3″ higher than green mules.)
    3. Distances between obstacles at 11 1/2 foot increments with 46-foot minimum, except for some combinations.
    4. Combination set: one stride in and out at 22-23 feet; two strides in and out at 34-35 feet.
  2. To be judged on performance and manners, with preference shown to the mules covering the course with free-flowing strides and which jump the fences from these strides without interrupting the rhythm.
    1. Judge shall penalize unsafe jumping and bad form over fences.
    2. Incorrect leads around corners or ends of arena or cross cantering shall be penalized.
  3. Upon completion of the entire class, finalists may be jogged past the judge for soundness at the judge’s discretion.
    1. Any mules showing lameness, broken wind, or impaired vision shall be refused an award.
    2. Judges shall award mule on merit of performance; this shall break all fault ties.
  4. In case of broken equipment, the rider may either continue without penalty or stop and correct the difficulty, in which case he will be penalized four (4) faults.
  5. Faults
    1. The following faults are scored according to the judge’s opinion and depending on the severity of the fault or the division, may be considered minor or major.
      1. Light touches or rubbing the jump
      2. Swapping leads in a line or in front of a jump
      3. Simple changes of lead
      4. Late lead changes
      5. Spooking
      6. Kicking up or out
      7. Jumping out of form
      8. Jumping off the centerline of jump
      9. Bucking and/or playing
      10. Adding a stride in a line with a related distance
      11. Eliminating a stride in a line with a related distance (Should take into consideration the size and stride of the mule competing as classes are not split according to height)
      12. Striking off on a wrong lead on the courtesy circle. (May be corrected with either a simple or flying change of lead)
    2. The following are considered major faults.
      1. Knockdown
      2. Refusal
      3. Refusal or stopping while on course, (any loss of forward motion anywhere on course).
      4. Dangerous jumping
      5. Addressing a jump – coming to a stop in front of a jump in order to show the jump to the mule.
      6. Completely missing a lead change
      7. Adding or eliminating a stride in an in and out.
      8. Breaking stride, or Trotting while on course. (Exceptions-Where posted on the course diagram, i.e., trot jumps, steep banks, etc., and also as outlined above in 311. E. 1 c.)
      9. Bolting while on course
  6. Elimination – The following shall result in elimination:
    1. Refusals-Three (3) refusals. Deduct 4pts. For first (1st) refusal. Deduct 8 pts for second (2nd) refusal. Elimination for third.
    2. Crossing path is counted as a refusal.
      • Off course.
      • Jumping a fence before it is reset.
      • Bolting from the ring.
      • Fall of mule or rider.
      • (Fall of mule – When shoulder and haunch of same side touch ground or the obstacle and the ground)
      • (Fall of rider – Rider becomes separated from mule that has not fallen, in such a way as to necessitate remounting or vaulting into the saddle)