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