| English riding is divided into a variety of | | | | knees that are even in front the horse should |
| disciplines, or styles or riding. From | | | | stretch its head and neck over the fence |
| pleasure riding to competitive events, each | | | | bringing its knees up towards the chin. The |
| of these disciplines is unique and has its | | | | hindquarters should follow smoothly with |
| own set of priorities and requirements. One | | | | tight hocks and form without undue effort. |
| of the most common disciplines in North | | | | Observers should get the impression that the |
| America is the hunters. | | | | entire performance is effortless. |
| | | | |
| Once hunters were based on the sport of fox | | | | Between the fences the horse should be calm |
| hunting. Several horses and riders would | | | | and relaxed. Turns should be made with wide, |
| follow the hounds across country to chase | | | | smooth corners. Speed is not a priority, so |
| down foxes. While this sport is alive and | | | | the softer, more even way of going will |
| well, the modern show hunter is a completely | | | | always pin over a fast, choppy ride. The |
| different type of horse. | | | | ideal carriage of the horse varies from judge |
| | | | to judge, but generally the horse should be |
| The early show hunters were solid animals, | | | | long and relaxed with its head slightly above |
| suitable for both the ring and the fields. | | | | the vertical so it can see ahead of itself in |
| They were cherished for their versatility and | | | | order to approach the fences. |
| athleticism. A good hunter was expected to | | | | |
| be calm and rideable, yet be athletic enough | | | | Courses are designed in a combination of |
| to make it around a series of jumps without | | | | straight lines, bent lines, single jumps and |
| undue stress for horse or rider. | | | | diagonals. The plan is generally quite |
| | | | simple and easy for horse and rider to |
| As time passed judges began placing the | | | | follow. When looking at the jumps |
| finer, fancier animals higher in the classes | | | | themselves, they are generally painted in |
| than the old-style often less flashy horses | | | | natural colours and are designed to look like |
| that were better suited to racing across | | | | things that you might find when riding out in |
| uneven fields in the foxhunt. Thoroughbreds | | | | the fields. |
| and Thoroughbred crosses became highly | | | | |
| popular in the ring because of their lighter | | | | On the flat, horses are judged on the quality |
| build, long stride and athletic ability. | | | | of their movement, which should be long and |
| Soon the hunter ring was filled with bay | | | | low, with little knee action. If the horse |
| thoroughbreds and the heavier field hunter | | | | has a little "float" to their stride it will |
| type was rarely seen. | | | | catch the judge's eye. Transitions should be |
| | | | smooth and immediate. At no point should it |
| Modern hunters are generally solid horses who | | | | look as though the horse is giving its rider |
| are refined, but still have substance. They | | | | a hard time, nor should the rider show signs |
| are prized for their long, low movement with | | | | of difficulty in the ride. While equitation |
| as little knee action as possible. With | | | | is not a priority, a rider who can "sit |
| three clean gaits and a long, relaxed | | | | pretty" will show a horse to better advantage |
| carriage they appear to be gentle, relaxing | | | | compared to a sloppy, yet effective rider. |
| horses to ride. | | | | |
| | | | While some people ridicule show hunters as |
| So what is a show hunter exactly? A hunter | | | | being boring and easy, there is a lot of |
| division is divided into four classes, three | | | | training and riding skill that goes into a |
| over fences and one on the flat. There are | | | | top hunter. Admittedly hunter jumping is not |
| specific divisions for children of various | | | | nearly as trying or complicated as jumping |
| age ranges, for ponies of different heights, | | | | for the jumper ring, but a truly excellent |
| for green or experienced horses, for amateur | | | | hunter has every bit as much talent as a top |
| riders and for professional riders. Each | | | | jumper. |
| division is set at a specific height that is | | | | |
| designed to suit the expected ability level | | | | Showing in the hunter ring is a great way for |
| of horse and rider. | | | | riders to get started in the horse show |
| | | | world. By building up good habits over |
| Over fences the horse is judged on a smooth, | | | | fences and on the flat both horses and riders |
| even way of going with effortless jumping | | | | set up a solid foundation for more strenuous |
| ability that does not throw the rider out of | | | | competition in the long run. It is a great |
| the saddle. The horse is expected to canter | | | | discipline for riders with confidence issues |
| the course with an even 12' long stride | | | | with many lower-level divisions available. |
| (slightly shorter for ponies). The horse | | | | |
| should not speed up or pull back from the | | | | The show hunter ring is highly competitive |
| jumps as it approaches them. Each jump is | | | | and can be a great direction to focus your |
| judged individually on the horse's style as | | | | riding skills. While the higher levels can |
| it goes over the jump. Ideally the horse | | | | be very expensive, the lower levels can be |
| should jump with a nice bascule that utilizes | | | | enjoyed with just about any horse and by just |
| the horse's back and arcs the horse over the | | | | about any english rider. |
| fence in a nice, smooth line. With tight | | | | |