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Hunters Discipline

12K views 31 replies 11 participants last post by  Skyseternalangel 
#1 ·
I've just noticed there isn't a sub forum about the Hunters Discipline.

What is it? Does anyone on the forum partake in Hunters? Sometimes I hear people ground them together like "Hunter/Jumper" what does that mean??

I know there is the "hunt seat" which is more forward and heavy in the stirrups than two point.. but what else can I learn about this discipline?
 
#3 ·
Hunters or hunt seat is a discipline, two point is a position. In hunt seat riding, you might ride in a full seat, a three point contact or two point contact, depending on the circumstances.

Hunters or hunt seat has two main sub divisions -

Hunt seat equitation, where the rider is judged
Hunters, either under saddle or over fences, where the horse's style, manners and suitablity are judged.

Jumpers are something else entirely, judged objectively on jumping faults and speed.

Hunter/Jumper is a odd regional term that means the same thing as Hunter Over Fences. It's confusing, as hunters and jumpers are very different disciplines judged on entirely different criteria, but it's a common term in certain areas and at breed shows with a lot of Hunter flat (under saddle/not over fences) classes.
 
#4 ·
So does anyone on here take any hunting classes?

Hunters or hunt seat has two main sub divisions -

Hunt seat equitation, where the rider is judged
Hunters, either under saddle or over fences, where the horse's style, manners and suitablity are judged.

Jumpers are something else entirely, judged objectively on jumping faults and speed.

Hunter/Jumper is a odd regional term that means the same thing as Hunter Over Fences. It's confusing, as hunters and jumpers are very different disciplines judged on entirely different criteria, but it's a common term in certain areas and at breed shows with a lot of Hunter flat (under saddle/not over fences) classes.
Okay that sounds really cool! Especially how there are two different divisions judging different things.

I might take a few of these classes (flat only) to introduce Sky to showing since my trainer specializes in dressage, hunters, and jumpers.

Okay.. thanks for clearing that up!
 
#8 ·
Actually, hunt seat equitation and hunters are two different things. Hunters is where the horse is judged on its calmness and the perfection/ consistency of the horse. Hunt seat equitation is all about how the rider handles the horse on the course, how perfect their equitation is and their distances are. Hunters judges horse, eq classes judge rider ;)
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#10 · (Edited)
I've just noticed there isn't a sub forum about the Hunters Discipline.
No, there isn't, but hunters and show jumping would both fall under "Jumping".

What is it? Does anyone on the forum partake in Hunters? Sometimes I hear people ground them together like "Hunter/Jumper" what does that mean??
The hunter classes were originally based of what would be expected from a horse in the hunt field. Although it is still based off of this, it does seem to have gotten some of its own traditions along the way.

I am a hunter. :)

Hunter/Jumper can either be someone who doesn't understand the terminology correctly, or be using it to say that they do Hunter Over Fences class. Personally, I hate Hunter/Jumper, because each is its own seperate discipline.

I know there is the "hunt seat" which is more forward and heavy in the stirrups than two point.. but what else can I learn about this discipline?
I've never heard of a hunt seat being more forward and heavy in the stirrups. Where did you learn that? (Curiousity sake). Too much more forward then a two point, and you might as well start to be a jockey, as you would start to unbalance the horse.


A lot of upper level show jumpers have a back ground in hunters, as hunters starts out at a w/t or w/t/c level, with caveletti courses (18"), if they started at a young age.


Hunters start at a low height, so you can work up to jumping that height. There are a lot of adults who stay at a 3' to 3'6 level, because that is where they are comfortable at. In my area, there is also a 2'6 division, that is open to adults and children, for those who haven't moved up to the 2'9 + classes, or for kids who have gotten past short stirrup.

Here is a link to a thread, with me in a 2'-2'3" class. http://www.horseforum.com/horse-riding-critique/hunter-critique-95279/
 
#11 ·
No, there isn't, but hunters and show jumping would both fall under "Jumping".
even on the flat? Okay then.

The hunter classes were originally based of what would be expected from a horse in the hunt field. Although it is still based off of this, it does seem to have gotten some of its own traditions along the way.

I am a hunter. :)

Hunter/Jumper can either be someone who doesn't understand the terminology correctly, or be using it to say that they do Hunter Over Fences class. Personally, I hate Hunter/Jumper, because each is its own seperate discipline.



I've never heard of a hunt seat being more forward and heavy in the stirrups. Where did you learn that? (Curiousity sake). Too much more forward then a two point, and you might as well start to be a jockey, as you would start to unbalance the horse.


A lot of upper level show jumpers have a back ground in hunters, as hunters starts out at a w/t or w/t/c level, with caveletti courses (18"), if they started at a young age.
Well that's very cool! Oh, from some girls at the old barn. I'm not gullible but I don't dismiss comments or facts or opinions on something I have no idea about.

I've been looking to start working with Sky on caveletti since it helps a lot with timing and getting those legs up instead of dragging.

How long have you been a Hunter? How did you get into it?

Actually, hunt seat equitation and hunters are two different things. Hunters is where the horse is judged on its calmness and the perfection/ consistency of the horse. Hunt seat equitation is all about how the rider handles the horse on the course, how perfect their equitation is and their distances are. Hunters judges horse, eq classes judge rider ;)
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Like maura said.. right? One focuses more on the horse and how skilled it is. Then the other focuses on the rider and the compatibility with the selected horse.

Or am I confused again..
 
#13 ·
Skyseternalangel: Thanks for the vote of confidence. :). I know that I can do it, but that it will take some time for me to actually start it and start understanding the mechanics of it. I don't have any dead obvious issues with my flatwork, but after my last fall, which was 2 strides after the jump, I still have some nerves when I approach a jump. :/
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#14 ·
Skyseternalangel: Thanks for the vote of confidence. :). I know that I can do it, but that it will take some time for me to actually start it and start understanding the mechanics of it. I don't have any dead obvious issues with my flatwork, but after my last fall, which was 2 strides after the jump, I still have some nerves when I approach a jump. :/
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Very true, flatwork is one fish, jumping is another. Well I hope you gain your confidence back =)

Sorry, I should have said "hunter over fences and show jumping", since they are both over fences. I have never seen a "jumper" flat class.

I've been showing for 2 years in hunterland, and lessoning at the same barn for the past 5 years or so.

I got into it because I needed to start somewhere. Hunters start at a lower fence height, which everyone should master first, before moving onto bigger jumps. At this time, I doubt I would leave the hunter ring, other then small forays into the jumpers for fun.
Well that's cool! Uhh, I was referring to flat hunters via this vid:



But as maura said, I think that's actually hunt equitation. So would it still go under jumping?

I'm still on the fence if I should jump Sky. It'd be good for him, a huge confidence booster.. but not doing that till we have basic w/t/c and lateral work done.

EDIT: just noticed the title of the vid.. but at least I guessed right xD
 
#15 ·
The video you posted is neither fish nor fowl. That is a QH breed show; the giveaway is the horse's headset, the big false tail and the horse's very slow jog. QH hunt seat doesn't really look like USEF or any other hunt seat, because it's about meeting the breed standard first, and hunt seat second. More about that later.

The vid title says equitation, so it does mean the rider is being judged.

To make this more confusing:

Traditional hunters and USEF hunters have *one* class on the flat per division; usualy 2 -3 classes over fences, one class on the flat. Most show organizations have rules that you must show in at least one class over fences to be allowed to show on the flat. Usually the flat class, or hack, is held after the over fences portion, and frequently only the competitors at the top of the class show in the hack as it can decide placings in the division. In a division of 25 horses, you might only have 10 elect to the show on the flat.

Breed shows usually have entire flat divisions, as do some schooling shows, wihich is why you'll hear Hunter/Jumper more often in those venues. In USEF and USHJA hunters, you *have* to show over fences to show, so the Hunter/Jumper designatioin doesn't make much sense.

There are some lovely QH hunters, but usually the focus in QH shows is the Western and performance divisions; with horses crossing over to the English divisions to gain points. So QH hunters often look a lot more like Western Pleasure horses in English tack than USEF or USHJA hunters.

The vid of the hunter derby posted above is an excellent representation of the discipline.
 
#17 ·
Okay! That makes sense. I did notice the horse was rather long and low kind of like a western rider, makes sense that it was a breeding show. I didn't even notice the false tail :P

So what you're saying is, in SOME divisions, there is a flat portion, but it's usually at the end and only the top competitors get to that class? And that's decided by how they do over the hunt fences?

Alright, that makes sense.

Thanks for putting up with my questions maura :)

I used to show in Hunters as a teen (a looooong long time ago :) I felt safe because the jumps were lower, and I loved the equitation shows. I had a lot of fun with it!
Yeah it seems like a lot of fun! Especially for a newbie like myself to showing. A little less intense than a full blown dressage test as my first show.

What do they look for in the hunt equitation portion? And the hunt portion?
 
#16 ·
I used to show in Hunters as a teen (a looooong long time ago :) I felt safe because the jumps were lower, and I loved the equitation shows. I had a lot of fun with it!
 
#20 ·
Just to add to the confusion (lol) in Britain, hunter on flat is called ridden hunter and hunter over jumps is working hunter.
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Ahaha oh no! More stuff to keep in mind :P Thank you!


Where I am, usually the judge runs the flat class with everyone. It's up to the judge if they want to call back specific horses or the whole class. In my experience they usually call back the whole class. However, I have had judges that only call back the top 10 or so.

Equitation is judged on the rider; how they handle themselves and how well they ride. Rider's can be asked to do a number of test on the flat, including dropping their stirrups, sitting trot, hand gallop, figure-8 with a lead change. However they often don't ask for any of it.

See I never would have known this about Hunters.. I love how it's very dependent on what the judge asks, and you can do a number of things.. it really tests how well you ride on your horse! Falling even more in love with this discipline :)
So how is this discipline scored?

The jumping portion isn't as stream-lined as a hunter course, which typically has straight lines. They can ask for bending lines and rollbacks and there often combinations. They can also ask for a trot fence and can ask you to jump a walk fence. And of course they can ask you to hand gallop a fence or halt after a fence.
Wow.. that is really cool. And so is the jump portion equitation or hunt? Or does it change depending on the class you're in?

Thanks for bearing with me guys!
 
#23 ·
Supermane,

I was referring to hunter divisions; for instance, in a junior hunter divisioin, there are usually 3 classes over fences and one on the flat. A lot of exhibitors chose not to ride in the hack unless they've placed over fences, so the flat class can be smaller than the overfences.

OP,

Supermane's info is exactly right about equitation classes - for the big ones, there's a fences portion, and then part of the class is called back to work on the flat. Then the top competitors are asked to perform a test, and sometime the top competitors are asked to switch horses and ride a shortened course.
 
#27 ·
It's a common test in the Medal and the Maclay classes, not just the finals.
Also in Pony Medal and Adult Eq, at least in my area. It's also used in the Eq classes on my local circuit, which is run in accordance with the USEF rules except for the height of the fences. Changing horses is actually one of the 19 tests judges may chose from when the top competitors are called back in for a work off.

I think it's standard at the finals that changing horses (which counts as two tests, not one) is used, but perhaps at the judge's discretion for other classes.
 
#28 ·
I actually didn't know that. I'm not an equation rider so I've never really paid attention. I knew that it was one of the test that they could ask, but I've never personally heard or seen this happen. I have a pretty broad understanding of equation, since most of the high levels are junior divisions and I never had the horses, resources, or dedication to seriously compete at that level as a junior.

I have done adult equation a few times, but have never been asked to switch horses. I would ask if this was a regional thing, but with you being in Virginia I could just be plain wrong, in which case I'm glad you corrected me.
 
#29 ·
I compete in HOF and equitation along with the flats that correspond to each. I am particularly fond of equitation though, and it definitely my forte. As for the forum if it's over fences just post it on the jumping forum. I'm not sure where to post for flats though.
 
#31 · (Edited)
I love that part of the eq class. I think it's really a terrific test to determine horsemanship. In Medal and Maclay, by the end of the season, a lot of kids already know the other's horses.

There was a local kid, an equitation star, that in the usual sideline catty way, people would say wasn't that good, it was just that he had a fabulous horse. Well, the fabulous horse could be a pig and very difficult to ride. If local kid made it the final four, he usually won, because he could ride someone else's horse well, and nobody could ride his well!

OP,

The Medal and ASPCA Maclay classes are the highest level of hunter seat equitation, with classes at A rated shows all year long. There are year end final classes at the big indoor shows.
 
#32 · (Edited by Moderator)
There was a local kid, an equitation star, that in the usual sideline catty way, people would say wasn't that good, it was just that he had a fabulous horse. Well, the fabulous horse could be a pig and very difficult to ride. If local kid made it the final four, he usually won, because he could ride someone else's horse well, and nobody could ride his well!
Yeah a lot of people think the good riders have push button horses. It's like today, my good friend commented "Wow he looks much easier to ride now" :P but he hasn't changed at all except he looks like he'd doing all of the work xD people are surprised when they get on him and can barely keep up with his trot.

OP,

The Medal and ASPCA Maclay classes are the highest level of hunter seat equitation, with classes at A rated shows all year long. There are year end final classes at the big indoor shows.
So the littler classes are called what? Like the training or introductory classes for green to hunters or horses that have never shown .
 
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