Welcome to the Equestrian Outreach Hunter (Show Hunter) Page

Hunter / Jumper Differences Overview

What is the difference between Hunter (Show Hunter) classes and Jumper (Show Jumper) classes as both classes jump over obstacles? The simple answer is how they are judged. Hunters are judged on the subjective opinion of a judge; on their level of Equitation. Jumper (Show Jumper) classes differ because the score is determined by the ability of the riding team (Horse and Rider) to negotiate a course in the allotted time. Both styles require teamwork; a balance of equine spirit and rider skill. At least important is it requires a bond of trust between horse and rider. Jumping for a horse is counterintuitive as it puts their legs at risk which is life threatening. Jumping is also difficult because of their vision; they cannot see the jump from the point of take off.

There are additional differences between Hunters and Jumpers as follows:

Hunter requirements:

Hunters are judged on their hunt seat equitation.
Hunters emphasize a meticulous turnout and tend toward quiet, conservative horse tack and rider attire. (Click here for more information)
Hunter bits, bridles, crops, spurs and martingales are tightly regulated.
Hunter courses are less technical and require less room.
Hunter jumps are under 4' and lack the technical demand of Jumper courses

Jumper requirements:

Jumper courses are often colorful and at times quite creatively designed.
Jumper courses tend to be much more complex and technical than hunter courses, because the riding team is not being judged on style.
Jumpers, while caring for their horses and grooming them well, are not scored on turnout.
Jumpers are allowed a wider range of tack such as Running Martingales, which are not allowed in Hunt classes.
Jumper riders may wear less conservative attire, so long as it stays within the rules.

Hunter (Show Hunter) Overview

Hunter (Show Hunter) as the name suggests is a type of show horse that is judged on its Equitation (movement, manners, and way of going, particularly while jumping fences). The horses are shown in hunt seat style tack, and are often of Warmblood or Thoroughbred type. In the United States, show hunters are primarily exhibited over fences, with a few additional classes offered for horses shown in-hand or on the flat. In the United Kingdom, competition over fences is called "Working Hunter," and the term "Show Hunter" describes classes held on the flat.

Hunter (Show Hunter - Hunt Seat) Equitation Classes: The Hunt seat style of riding is derived from the hunt field. In equitation competition, flat classes (those that do not including jumping) include judging at the walk, trot, and canter in both directions, and the competitors may be asked to ride without stirrups. It is correct for the riders to have a light and steady contact with their horse's mouth the entire ride. Losses of a stirrup or dropping the reins are also faults, and may be cause for elimination.

Hunter (Show Hunter - Equitation) Over Fences Classes: Are classes in which the horse and rider jump obstacles, the competitor rides over a course of at least six jumps (usually more). Fence height may go up to 3'9". Classes often require at least one flying lead change, and one or more combinations. The rider is judged not only on position and effectiveness of aids, but should also maintain an even, forward pace and meet each fence at an appropriate distance.
At the highest level of hunt seat equitation are the national Maclay finals and USEF Medal classes in the United States, and the CET (Canadian Equestrian Team) Medal in Canada. These championships and their qualifying classes may include bending lines, roll back turns, narrow fences, and fences with a long approach to test the rider. Fences must be at least 3'6" and may be up to 5' wide, and the course must have at least eight obstacles and at least one combination. However, the course may not include liver pools or open water elements which are used in Jumping (Show Jumping).
Equitation Tests in Show Ranking: Equitation Tests may be chosen by the judge to help place the top riders. These tests are required in the medal classes. Tests may include a halt for several seconds, rein back, demonstration of the hand gallop, figure-8 at the trot or canter with correct diagonals or leads (simple change of lead or flying), trotting or cantering low fences (up to 3'), jump obstacles at the walk (up to 2'), jumping fences on a figure-8, oral questions regarding tack, equipment, conformation, and basic horsemanship, riding without stirrups, performing a turn on the forehand or haunches, and a serpentine at the trot or canter with flying changes. Riders may also be asked to switch horses at higher levels of competition, such as at a national final. Switching of horses is no longer common at smaller competitions due to the risks involved.
Hunter (Show Hunter) Jumping Form: A good Hunter (Show Hunter) must possess an excellent jumping form; often has better jumping form than many eventers and show jumpers, as the latter two disciplines do not judge on the jumping form of the horse, but only whether the horse can get over the obstacle. A show hunter is not only judged on movement, but also on temperament and manners. Thus, the show hunter should always be relaxed and calm, yet attentive to its rider. It should be responsive to invisible signals and look relatively easy to ride. A good show hunter should show a great bascule or roundness over a jump. This is often described as the horse taking the shape of a dolphin jumping out of the water, with the horse's back up, and its head reaching forward and down over the fence. The horse needs great athleticism along with enthusiasm for the jumps this is often referred to as ‘Scopey’ or a willingness and ability to jump fences easily. The forearm should be parallel or higher with the ground, and the knees and lower legs should be even. The horse should not be lazy with its lower legs, but should tuck them under its forearm as it clears the fence, clearly bending its fetlocks and knees. The horse should not throw its body or legs to one side, but should stay perfectly straight over the fence.
Hunter (Show Hunter) Turn Out: As this is a important big part of the score; Show hunters should be extremely well turned-out. Their coat should gleam with good care. Their athleticism is in consideration and therefore they carry a bit more weight than an event or racehorse. The horse is always bathed before the competition, with special attention paid to the white markings. The hooves are polished before the horse enters the show ring. The horse's face is always trimmed, focusing on the whiskers around the muzzle, the hair of the ears, the bridle-path, and the horse's lower jaw. The legs are also trimmed, removing all fetlock hair and feathering, and trimming the pasterns and coronet. In the winter, show hunters are often given a full clip, removing all the body hair, to give them a neater appearance in the show ring. The mane is most often braided with yarn matching the color of the mane, into as many as 30-40 braids per horse; however it is usual that there is an odd number of plaits. Tails should not be pulled at the dock, so that it may be braided, and the bottom of the tail should be left natural, not trimmed. The mane and forelock of the hunter should always be braided when competing at a recognized show. This is best left to a professional braider if the groom is not proficient. The tail may also be braided, from the top down to the end of the tail bone, with the rest of the tail left loose. This is most common at large horse shows or special events (such as year-end horse shows for which a horse/rider combination must qualify).
Hunter (Show Hunter) Over Fences Course: The course of fences a show hunter must jump is usually made up of 8-12 obstacles of natural type material. The fences are not brightly-colored as in show jumping, instead they are mostly brown, green, white, beige, and other natural colors. They do not exceed 4'3" in height. The course may include verticals, oxers, gates, and fences with "natural" fillers, like brush or flowers. Open water jumps and liverpools, common obstacles in show jumping arena, are not used in a show hunter course. Although combination fences may be seen, they are usually only two elements, and have easier distances between them than those found in show jumping. Banks and ditches are not found on the show hunter course, nor are any major changes in terrain, and often the horses jump on level footing in an enclosed arena.
The distance between fences is usually a set number of strides, with each stride 12 feet in length. Unlike a show jumper, the show hunter does not need to go to extreme lengths to collect or extend its stride to meet the distances correctly. The horse must put a certain amount of strides between each set of fences if they are in a line. If the horse and rider don't do this, points will be taken off the overall score.
The show hunter should maintain a good pace throughout the course of fences, but keep an even rhythm, neither speeding up nor slowing down. The horse is judged on its smoothness around the course, its movement, jumping form, and whether it reaches each "spot", or the distance of takeoff in front of a jump, correctly. A poor spot would put the horse too close or too far back from the jump, so that it would either have to stretch and make a great effort over the fence, or have to jump more "up and down" rather than over the fence. A poor spot interrupts the rhythm of a course, and increases the likelihood that a horse will rub or drop a rail.
A good ride over fences will look easy, with the horse jumping from the correct takeoff spot, easily fitting the strides in between the jumps (as opposed to having to really stretch out or collect its stride), and cleanly making the flying changes required. Refusals, knocked rails, or rubs over fences incur a severe drop (faults) in the rider's score.

Hunter (Show Hunter) Show Classes

Conformation or Model: (“In Hand” wearing a halter) the horse is judged on conformation and movement, which should be suitable for that of a hunter. Unlike the above classes, a model class has no mounted exercises, and the horse is presented for judging without a saddle.

Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat: judge the horse's movement and manners on the flat ground with no jumping. Accessing the rider's ability to communicate with the horse with aids and the horses ability to respond.
Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences: Judge the horse's movement, manners, way of going, and jumping form over a course of jumps. Accessing the rider's ability to communicate with the horse with aids and the horses ability to respond.
"Handy" classes: a class which combines elements of flat and over-fences classes, often with elements that are reminiscent of field hunting. For example; the rider may be asked to dismount and lead the horse over a small fence after completing a course.
Hunter Pleasure (Hunter Hack - UK): Hunter hack is a type of English pleasure class where exhibitors in Hunt seat tack and attire perform on the flat at a walk, trot, canter and hand gallop, and then jump two low fences. The desired horse in this competition is to resemble a quiet, well-mannered working hunter rather than the more animated American-style show hack.
Hunter hacks are scored on their manners, gait, and conformation, as well as their ability to jump with an even arc and stride over the center of the fences. Points are taken off for excessive speed or slowness, breaking gait or failing to take a gait when called for, carrying the head too high or low, taking the wrong lead at the canter, the rider being on the wrong diagonal at the trot, the horse nosing out or flexing behind the vertical, and stumbling.