Hunter or Jumper?

I am curious on which me and Junior should pursue. He was trained as a jumper but I think he could be a hunter. Which is easier on the horse? Because he is older and I feel bad when I push him really hard, though he does get really excited at shows and flies over the jumps.

I just want opinions! Critique horse, not rider! I am working on improving myself and know what I need to fix. Thank you!














So what do you guys think? I have videos of us jumping if that will help.

First off how old is he? If you want to go to big shows and do hunters age is a consideration. That aside, I think he would make a good hunter, he has good form over fences. The two things with hunters is having a good steady rhythm and a positive attitude throughout your whole course. Honestly some basic dressage could help with the rhythm. The attitude is up to him, it sounds like he enjoys jumping, so I don't think that would be much of a problem. The best thing you can do there is to ride him nice and quite over jumps, so he does not get hit in the mouth or make it hard for him to jump.

Why would Hunters be easier on the horse in compareson to Jumpers????? They are both ridden the same way, and if you are an educated rider - you should not ride any different from when you are in the Hunter Ring transferring to the Jumper.

You ride your lines, you ride rhythmically and at a smooth steady canter. You approach each fence the same.

Those who race in the Jumper Ring hully gully - don't belong there. They are not riding correctly and are making a mockery of the sport. I see this especially at lower levels. Just because the fences are small, you do not race and speed over the course.

There should be no difference on how you ride your horse, in the Hunter Ring to the Jumper Ring.

On that note, I would really focus on taking lessons. Start working on your form over fences and solidity - and then, your coach will beable to help you make your decision on what avenue to pursue.

That is a good point MIEventer, you should ride them the same, but in jumpers you are not being judged on your rhythm and neither is the horses form being judged. Both will help you and you should strive for them in the jumper ring, but again that is not being judged.

I agree.

Either way, you do what you feel comfortable with,you said you're working on yourself so continue to do that before you get ahead of yourself.

Thanks guys. And I meant does he have good form for hunters because I know that matter. In jumpers they don't judge on what the horse looks like going over the jump as long as they make it over and don't knock a rail.

MIEventer, I can't have a trainer. It is self teach myself or don't ride at all. For one I can't afford a trainer and for two I have deep emotional scarring from a past trainer that I am still trying to get over. He was extremely emotionally abusive, I dealt with it for three years because I loved the horse I was riding and it was a big mistake because it really screwed me up mentally. I am working on my form and getting pointers from a good friend but a trainer is impossible for me.

I don't plan on showing big shows right now, I am aware that I am not a good enough rider right now. I haven't been able to ride consistently lately so my form hasn't gotten to improve really.

Oh and for the record he is 20 but doesn't show his age at all.

Thanks again guys!

How old is the horse? If its an older horse that has lots of jumping miles entering lower fence hunter divisions might be easier on him than jumpers. Jumpers is timed and the courses are typically much tighter than hunter courses to they can be tougher on a horse in my opinion.

You need to be a good rider to do either but in jumpers the fences often can tend to be quite a bit higher than hunters (where you may have a variety of hunter divisions some with lower fences)

If your horse is extremely excitable when jumping and been doing jumpers for a long time you will definitely have some work to slow him down and get him to be in "hunter mode."

PS oops so you said he is 20, I would suggest hunters then with lower jumps, but of course get your vets opinion on how fit he is for lots of jumping.

Good luck, even if you can't afford a trainer, having a knowledgeable friend watch and help and video tape etc is really a good thing.

I think he would make a nice hunter. His expression seems like he enjoys jumping and his knees look tight, square, and tidy.

I am going to shorten my stirrups because I just noticed that in those pictures they are too long.

Should I shorten them 2 or 3 holes?

I would try 1, then 2 and see how it feels.