What am I supposed to be looking at durnig a hunter round?

Barbara F · Grand Prix

What am I supposed to be looking at durnig a hunter round?

knitty · Yearling

Yes, you are on the right track. A good hunter round should be quite boring to watch! The horse should be relaxed and obedient with the rider's aids being invisible. Nothing should change throughout the course. If you take these qualities, plus the ones you listed you'll know what you are looking for. A rider that can go around and make it look seamless will be in the ribbons for sure. Even if their horse doesn't have the 'perfect form' over a fence that many people pay big money for!

justice · Grand Prix

Knitty says it well. I am also happy to see someone ELSE use the term 'seamless' in the same context as I would : )

Referring to the connection between horse and rider, among other equestrian ventures.

-- Edited by justice on Friday 14th of January 2011 10:19:12 AM

Barnmouser Ash · Grand Prix

I'm curious (for all you hunter-experiences barnmousers) as to the whole holding the reins daintily thing? I have seen in so many hunter classes (I can't say hunter hack, or jumping classes, necessarily, but for sure hunter eq) riders holding the reins palms down, with a huge float, and barely holding the very very tip with the fingers... no bight at all. What is your stance on this, and why is it done? In my non-hunter eye, I see no contact, and a push-button pony. However, this also says to me that the horse carries itself on its own, and doesn't require much aid in the way of maneuvers. Do you think that is a fair judgment, or am I way off track?

KatyM · Well Schooled

Of course, like the dressage horse, in hunter classes (not eq), it's the horse being judged. In the lower levels, the horse should be a suitable mount for the level being ridden. So, as knitty said, relaxed and obedient is key. Usually the lines between fences are measured out and the number of strides is known - based on a 12 foot stride. The horse should be able to make the number of strides in a relaxed and confident manner (so, not running, or speeding up or slowing down) - in a good consistent rhythm (as you mentioned).

As the fences get higher, and/or as the divisions get more competitive (say, at the larger rated shows), the quality of movement and jump becomes more of a factor. Hunters should have low (daisy-cutter) movement, with good reach and ground covering movement on the flat. Over fences, not only a good bascule, but also the knees should be up with forelegs up and square - hunter people never want to see a horse be "drape-y" with their front legs - this isn't just for aesthetic reasons - in the hunt field if a horse hangs a leg, you risk having a terrible accident. Some of the most famous show hunters, like Rox Dene, jump with their knees up to their chin with an extravagant bascule - Here's a picture from her rider's website: http://elizabethsolter.com/
(And Rox Dene was soooo consistent - picture after picture the same! Wow!)

Kairen Jamieson · Yearling

Things that are undesired in the Hunter ring...a horse who drifts in the lines....a horse that jumps crooked...a horse that does not have clean changes....a horse that changes stride in front of the fence...adding a stride....leaving out a stride....inconsistant distances

The rest is actually explained above by the other posters....just thingk the opposite...like flat back instead of arc/bascule.....

Michelle Synnot · Yearling

Hey check out the George Morris books.. this one is great..

http://www.amazon.com/Judging-Hunters-Hunter-Seat-Equitation/dp/1570763542/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1296677846&sr=8-5

smile

-- Edited by Michelle Synnot on Wednesday 2nd of February 2011 03:20:09 PM