Hunters

This summer, if everything goes well, I'm going to do small baby schooling shows this with Sunny. I was planning on doing hunter/jumpers with him (for fun!). Anyway, I'm not planning on showing hunters in the future, besides with Sunny (it's mainly a cute thing...I know, I'm bad!). I need to know the differences between classes, if that makes sense. For example: Short Stirrup Classes, etc.
I know what Short Stirrup means - isn't it for kids or something?
Sorry - I came from an event barn and switched over to a new barn, and I switched trainers (my old trainer was an eventer, my new one is a hunter/jumper/dressage).
Thank you.
I will probaly sound like a noob, so please don't get mad!

Here's the general idea... most divisions will have 2 flat (no jumping) classes, one judging your horse (hunter under saddle) and one judging you (equitation). Then you'll have at least 1 but probably a couple jumping classes judged on your horse (hunter I, hunter II, etc) and jumping class judged on you (equitation over fences).

As far as divisions go, most of the rated shows will have the same names but there is a bit of variety among the schooling shows! You'll need to call the barn hosting the show and request what's called the 'prize list', or more likely your trainer should have one from them. Or they'll be there at the show office when you fill out your entry form. It's basically a small booklet that has the entry form, a schedule of the show, and a list of the levels/requirements for each division. Here our basic schooling show goes like this:

Short Stirrup-18 in for riders under 10 y/o
Long Stirrup- 18 in for riders over 10
2"3 Very Low- 2"3 but open to professionals
Beginner- 2"3
Intermediate- 2"6
Modified- 2"9
3" Low- 3" open to professionals
I've seen prize lists that have a 2" class, crossbars (12in), mini stirrup (like leadline), and rusty stirrup (riders who are... a little more vintage )

And then jumper classes. But in some states short/long stirrup classes are 2"3! So you might have to ask your trainer or call around. Good luck!

Here's a link for a local show around here, but its got some good discriptions for the different classes.
http://www.lhaweb.ca/descriptions.htm
Just make sure you check the rules before you enter anything.

In addition to short stirrup, you also have other classes that are based on age.

Childrens: typically for 17 years and under. Fence heights for horses not to exceed 3' and I believe 2'6" for large/medium ponies, and 2' for small pony. At some shows, Children's classes are limited to 14 years and under.

Juniors: typically 17 years and under. Jump heights are usually around 3'6", but go up to 3'9".

Often, Children's and Juniors are two different levels (determined by fence height) for the same age group. As upnover explained, there are equitation, working hunter, and flat classes for each of these divisions.

Another way of looking at each division is that there is an equitation set and a working hunter set. For the equitation set you ride two jump courses and one flat class. All three classes are pinned separately, and then a Champion and Reserve Champion are named for the set. Same goes for the Working Hunter set: two jump courses and one flat class. So technically, there are six separate classes for each division.

Just to disagree with upnover. In my area a hunter division consists of 3 jumping classes and one flat class (all are judged on the horse)
Short stirrup around here is 2'3 or 2'6 (they changed this from when I used to show in it, it used to be called Novice Rider)
Long stirrup is either 2'6 or 2'9
Childrens is for people under 18 and is 3'
Adults is for people over 18 and is 3'
Modified jr/am is 3'3
Jr/am is 3'6
Open combined is 3'9

Thank you everyone!
Sunny probaly couldn't do 2'3" or 2'6" - he's very small. But I guess never say never! I'd like to show him (if everything is going well) in 1'6" and 2". I'll just play it day by day, though.

Short and long stirrup were already described well but here is a description of the rest of the pony divisions:

First of all what size is sunny?

12.2 and under = small
13.2 and under = medium
14.2 and under = large

There are three divisions for each size pony, childrens, greens, and regulars


The childrens division has smaller jumps and the lines are shorter and easier to make

Small/medium ponies jump 2'
Large ponies jump 2'6"

Greens division is the middle the division but only available to ponies who have not shown above childrens for more than 3 shows

Small ponies jump 2'
Medium ponies jump 2'3"
Large ponies jump 2'9"

The regular divisions have longer lines and higher jumps and are usually the most competitive

Small ponies jump 2'3"
Medium ponies jump 2'6"
Large ponies jump 3'

Hope it goes well!

Twinkle_toes - Thank you SO much. That pretty much answered all my questions.
I talked to my trainer today after my lesson. It all went succesful (first time oxer!), and was great. She said that he [Sunny] and I would do Pony Hunters and/or Short Stirrups.
He loves to jump, and it really motivates him.
Oh, and he's a Medium Pony. Also, I'm not going to any big shows this summer (probaly never with him!), so only small schooling shows.

Anytime!

I have a medium pony too, we do the regular pony division

GOOD LUCK!

Thanks!