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compliance with the rules and regulations provided with the HPA. When violation of the
HPA or rules and regulations of the MAFTHA or MFTHBA are found, the DQP must
make record of such violations and must report them to the proper authorities.
Inspections under the HPA are conducted in accordance with the Regulations and as
further described in the current USDA/DQP Training Manual and the USDA Plan.
RING STEWARD
A competent Ring Steward will be in charge of activities in the ring at the MAFTHA
Championship Show. Any reputable person may act in the capacity of Ring Steward who
can furnish proof that he/she is capable through ability or experience and is familiar with
MAFTHA and MFTHBA rules. He/she has the authority to ask an exhibitor to remove
his/her horse if it offers an obstacle to other exhibitors or, by its behavior, poses a threat
to other exhibitors, including horses rearing, balking, kicking, running away, or leaving
the ring. The Ring Steward has the authority to remove unsportsmanlike-like exhibitors,
including those who cut to the inside of center ring, or exhibit any intentional action that
would cause a disruption in the performance of another exhibitor. The Ring Steward has
the authority to dismiss any exhibitor who abuses an entry with a whip or other
instrument, or a horse that displays a bad image for the breed.
RING MASTER
A Ring Master should always assist the Call Judge, he/she should count the horses as
they enter the arena, direct gait changes as per the Call Judge’s instructions to the
announcer and direct where horses are to line-up. The Ring Master shall grant permission
for exhibitors wishing to be excused from the class. The Ring Master shall relieve the
call judge of unnecessary details and act as mediator between the judge and the exhibitor.
He/she shall assist the judge, not advise him/her and shall refrain from discussing, or
seeming to discuss, the horses or exhibitors with the judge. He/she shall not take part, or
seem to take part, in any of the judging. He/she shall keep the judging program on
schedule and control the conduct of horses and exhibitors in the ring. In the case of a
time-out, the Ring Master may assist the exhibitor as needed. The Ring Master shall
collect and turn in the judges’ score cards to the scorekeeper.
RING PERSON
In addition to the Ring Master attending the Call Judge, the remaining judges shall each
be accompanied by a ring person if possible. Each ring person shall relieve the judge of
unnecessary details and act as mediator between the judge and the exhibitor. He/she shall
assist the judge, not advise him/her and shall refrain from discussing, or seeming to
discuss, the horses or exhibitors with the judge. He/she shall not take part, or seem to take
part, in any of the judging. He/she shall keep the judging program on schedule and
control the conduct of horses and exhibitors in the ring. In the case of a time-out, the ring
