Hunter is a discipline loosely based on
fox hunting. The idea is to rate horses based on their perceived skill at hunting. They are shown both
on the flat and over fences.
Hunter on the flat classes are extremely popular. Very small children can show in short stirrup
classes, and age is no way to guage competitiveness since some of the fiercest competitions are
among children. Hunter horses must carry themselves low and collected, with little knee movement
at any gait.
Horses show at all gaits, and are judged on their movement, look, carriage, and turnout. Turnout
is incredibly important, and can make the difference between winning a class and ending out of the
ribbons. Upper level hunters are especially prone to yearly changes, and this year's popular
brand of saddle may be passe by next showing season. Thoroughbreds are very popular as hunters,
since they are often tall and leggy. They must be precisely clipped and pulled, in good weight,
and groomed to precision.
Hunters are shown over fences, and are judged
by their style of jumping. High marks are given to horses with pristine jumping form, who use
the precise number of strides between jumps, who do not overjump or rub rails. They are not
timed, since that is unimportant. Jumps are supposed to simulate what the hunters might
be faced with if they were actually fox hunting.
Hunter riders should be impeccably turned out in the year's popular show colors, with the
appropriate tack and clothes for their age and level of riding. Riders are also judged on
preciseness of cues, skill at riding, and form over fences and on the flat.
Hunter is a discipline loosely based on
fox hunting. The idea is to rate horses based on their perceived skill at hunting. They are shown both
on the flat and over fences.
brand of saddle may be passe by next showing season. Thoroughbreds are very popular as hunters,
since they are often tall and leggy. They must be precisely clipped and pulled, in good weight,
and groomed to precision.
