Penalties/Deducations

1. 0 Score
   1. Work obstacle wrong
   2. Wrong line of travel
   3. Ride outside course boundary
   4. 3rd refusal
   5. Complete lead or gait failure
   6. Fail to complete obstacle
   7. Excessively or repeatedly touching horse
   8. Overturns of more than 1⁄4 turn
2. Penalties should be assessed per occurrence as follows:
   1. ½ point
      1. Each tick of log, pole, cone or obstacle
   2. 1 point
      1. 1. Hit or step on
      2. Break gait at walk or jog 2 strides or less
      3. Both feet in space
      4. Skip space
      5. Split pole
      6. Failure to meet correct strides
   3. 3 points
      1. Break gait at walk or jog over 2 strides
      2. Out of lead or break of gait at lope
      3. Knockdown of elevated pole, plant, cone
      4. Step out or jump off with only one foot
   4. 5 points
      1. Step out or jump off with more than one foot
      2. 1st refusal or evade
      3. Blatant disobedience
      4. 2nd refusal or evade
      5. Instill fear or praise

Reining

1. The following will result in a score of 0:
   1. Use of more than index or first finger between reins;
   2. Use of two hands (exception in snaffle bit or hackamore classes designated for two hands) or changing hands;
   3. Failure to complete pattern as written;
   4. Performing the maneuvers other than in specified order;
   5. The inclusion of maneuvers not specified, including, but not limited to;
      1. Backing more than two strides,
      2. Turning more than 90 degrees, Exception: a complete stop in the 1st quarter of a circle after a canter departure is not to be considered an inclusion of maneuver; a 2 point break of gait penalty will apply.
   6. Equipment failure that delays completion of pattern including dropping a rein that contacts the ground while the horse is in motion;
   7. Balking or refusal of command where pattern is delayed;
   8. Running away or failing to guide where it becomes impossible to discern whether the entry is on pattern;
   9. Jogging in excess of one-half circle or one-half the length of the arena;
   10. Overspins of more than 1⁄4 turn;
   11. Fall to the ground by horse or rider.
2. The following will result in a penalty of five (5) points:
   1. Spurring in front of cinch;
   2. Use of either hand to instill fear or praise;
   3. Holding saddle with either hand;
   4. Blatant disobedience including kicking, biting, bucking, rearing and striking.
3. The following will result in a two (2) point penalty:
   1. Break of gait;
   2. Freeze up in spins or rollbacks;
   3. On walk-in patterns, failure to stop or walk before executing a canter departure;
   4. If a horse does not completely pass the specified marker before initiating a stop position.
      
4. Starting or performing circles or eights out of lead will be judged as follows:
   1. Each time a horse is out of lead or had a delayed change of lead, a judge is required to deduct one point. The penalty for being out of lead is accumulative and the judge will deduct one penalty point for each quarter of the circumference of a circle or any part thereof that a horse is out of lead. A delayed change of lead is a one point penalty from one stride to 1⁄4 of circumference of a circle and is also cumulative beyond that point.
5. Deduct 1⁄2 point for starting circle at a jog or exiting rollbacks at a jog up to 2 strides. Jogging beyond two strides, but less than 1⁄2 circle or 1⁄2 length of the arena, deduct 2 points.
6. Deduct 1⁄2 point for over or under spinning up to 1⁄8 of a turn; deduct 1 point for over or under spinning up to 1⁄4 of a turn.