| While most people know that the Hack division | | | | |
| at a hunter show is a flat division where the | | | | Show Hack |
| horses are not asked to jump, many people do | | | | |
| not understand the difference between the | | | | Unlike the road and pleasure hacks, the show |
| classes that are offered. In fact, if you | | | | hack asks for the horse to be collected and |
| watch the division you will often see horses | | | | working well in hand. A show hack may be |
| ridden the same way through the same gaits | | | | asked to perform a range of gaits including |
| through all the classes without any obvious | | | | collected, working and extended trots and |
| differences at all. | | | | hand gallops. At all times the show hack |
| | | | should be paying close attention to its rider |
| The hack division is usually split into three | | | | with prompt transitions and an alert |
| or four classes including the Pleasure Hack, | | | | expression. The rider should be attentive to |
| the Road Hack, the Show Hack and the Hunter | | | | his horse with good equitation and control. |
| Hack. In each class the horse is judged | | | | The horse should be an excellent mover who |
| according to a slightly different range of | | | | will stand out in a crowd. Working well on |
| qualities and to be able to assess these | | | | the bit a show hack should carry itself from |
| abilities the judge may ask for a range of | | | | the quarters and show impulsion. |
| different things. | | | | |
| | | | Hunter Hack |
| Pleasure Hack | | | | |
| | | | Many hack divisions do not include this |
| Perhaps the best understood of the hack | | | | class, but it is really an important style |
| classes, the pleasure hack judges how quiet | | | | that should remain a part of the division. A |
| and calm a horse is. The theory is that a | | | | hunter hack is forward and works well on the |
| pleasure horse should be a pleasure to ride. | | | | bit. They should have three clean gaits with |
| It should be safe and comfortable with easy | | | | good transitions. While having good movement |
| transitions and a pleasant expression. To | | | | is still important the movement should be |
| judge these qualities the judge will ask for | | | | such that the horse would be suited to riding |
| a basic walk, trot and canter. In each gait | | | | through the fields rather than just in the |
| the judge is looking for a long, low stride | | | | ring. Comfort is important, but a forward |
| with a relaxed carriage and the appearance of | | | | way of going is essential to a good hunter |
| a smooth ride. The horse should be forward, | | | | hack. Because the class is based on having a |
| but should not appear rushed or stressed in | | | | good field hunter the horse may be judged |
| any way. A rider who is relaxed and who uses | | | | over a small single jump. This jump is |
| minimal aids can show off the pleasure horse | | | | comparable to what the horse might encounter |
| in the best light. | | | | when out on a hunt. A hand gallop may be |
| | | | requested in this class. |
| Road Hack | | | | |
| | | | All of the hack classes are based on styles |
| A road hack is a calm, yet forward horse that | | | | of riding that horses were used for in the |
| is capable of traveling long distances with | | | | past. Many of these uses are no longer |
| minimal effort. He should have a pleasant | | | | common, but the hack division offers horses a |
| attitude, yet look as though he has the | | | | chance to relive the past. Whether a horse |
| energy to keep a brisk pace for an extended | | | | was used for pleasure, ridden out on the |
| time. The judge will be looking for a horse | | | | road, used to show off or taken out on the |
| who is not spooky or silly and who looks | | | | hunts the skills required were suited to the |
| comfortable to ride. Not only will the basic | | | | task at hand. A well run hack division will |
| walk, trot and canter be judged, but you | | | | show variation both in the demands of the |
| might be asked for a working trot or a hand | | | | classes and in the placings of the horses. A |
| gallop. A working trot is a strong, forward | | | | nice pleasure hack is unlikely to win the |
| trot that covers a lot of ground without | | | | show hack class, while a good hunter hack |
| being rushed. The hand gallop is executed in | | | | might not have the easy-going nature of the |
| a two-point or half-seat where the horse is | | | | pleasure hack. By understanding the nature |
| asked to gallop forward in a controlled | | | | of the division you can maximize your chances |
| manner so that it covers the maximum ground | | | | in each class and show your horse off to the |
| with minimal effort. | | | | best of its abilities. |