USEF : Basic Rules for Hunters

❚ Article 2423. General.

1. All classes must be judged on performance and soundness and when indicated,conformation, suitability or manners.
1.1 When a horse makes two faults at one obstacle only the major fault will be counted.
 
Article 2424. Soundness.
All horses must be serviceably sound. All horses beingconsidered for an award must be jogged for soundness with rider dismounted. (Exception:Under Saddle classes, unrated classes and classes at Local Competitions.) Horses that are not serviceably sound are ineligible for an award, including under saddle classes.

Article 2425. Conformation.
Quality, substance and soundness. Judges must penalize but not necessarily eliminate horses with structural faults, defects and blemishes (such as pinfiring) in areas which might impair their activity and durability. Horses must be stripped for conformation in any class in which conformation counts more than 25%. (Exception:Under Saddle classes.)

Article 2426. Performance.

1. An even hunting pace, manners, jumping style together with faults and way of moving over the course. Manners to be emphasized in Ladies and Amateur classes; brilliance in Corinthian and Formal Hunting Attire classes.
2. When the class is held in a ring, the performance starts as the competitor enters and ends when he leaves. When the class is held outside, the performance starts at any spot designated by competition management and ends at any spot so designated. If the start and finish are not clearly set forth, it is suggested that a judge consider the start approximately 50’ before the first obstacle and the finish approximately 50’ after the last.

Article 2427. Faults.
The following faults are scored according to the judge’s opinion, and depending on severity, may be considered minor or major faults.

Minor or Major Faults

• Showing an obstacle to a horse.
• Missing a lead change.
• Kicking out.
• Spooking.
• Jumping out of form.
• Jumping into corners of obstacles.

Major Faults

• Knock down of any part of an obstacle.
• Refusals.
• Trotting while on course when it is not specified.
• Bucking.
• Stopping for loss of shoe or broken equipment.
• Circling while on course.
• Dangerous jumping.
  

Elimination

• Three refusals
• Off course.
• Jumping a fence before it is reset.
• Bolting from the ring.
• Fall of horse or rider.

The following may or may not be considered as faults, depending on their severity and frequency.

• Light rubs.
• Swapping leads in a line.
• Late lead changes.
• Excessive show of animation.
• Adding or eliminating a stride in a line.