OK. Should be gone now. User headspace problem on how to delete.
Small hunter division still exists and they award a HOTY for it. I do believe you need to be in VA to be comeptitive nationally as it’s the only place where it’s offered. I know this as I have a small hunter and would love such a class. But I don’t know that we will be traveling to VA to compete in it.
Size doesn’t really determine stride length.
My mares who are sisters are 15.2 and 17.1. The 15.2 one has a much much bigger stride then the bigger horse.
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Being able to ride a certain amount of strides is a skill, that’s why.
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Yes, but it’s a rider skill, not a horse skill. And in theory, in hunter classes, the horse is being judged not the rider.
The notion that all horses worthy of being shown must have a 12-13 foot stride seems needlessly repressive to me. Why eliminate a huge segment of the equine population before they’re even born? I’ve never understood why a smooth, well jumped round with an add in each line is an unpardonable, unpinnable sin.
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Go watch any division at an A/AA show, at 3’ or higher, and you’ll get. Hunter or Jumper
Agreed 100%. I much prefer this over those who run down the lines like their tail is on fire.
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Most horses strides can be changed?
Is it that hard to find a 12ft stride? Every horse in my barn can do that easily even the dressage horse who doesn’t jump regularly. It’s part of their training.
That’s why training the RIDERS how to get the best out of their horse is the key.
The horse is judged but the horse isn’t a robot. The rider has the job of making the horse go the proper way so it can be judged.
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FWIW, I know a R judge who has told me that doing the # of strides should not be considered/she does not penalize in 2’6" and under divisions. That seems like a fair compromise to me. I would think that a horse leaving out strides all over the place in the 2’6" could/would/should end up being penalized for overall style and pace, but not penalizing a safe and consistent add seems like it would level the playing field a bit.
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They will. I have seen horses that leave strides out get scores in the 30/40 range, as it is dangerous. At 2’6 and lower, adding the step isn’t a big deal, especially with a green horse or rider. It’ just isn’t safe or doable at a higher level. You can’t add steps in the combination!
If you look at the historical foxhunting origins of the desirable traits in the show hunter, the idea is that a horse with a long, reaching stride that covers the ground efficiently will be more comfortable to ride for several hours in the hunt field.
It’s the same way that a horse that pulls its knees up at the jumps is safer in the hunt field than a horse that jumps with its legs down, so that jumping style is considered desirable in the show ring today. And a horse that knocks down a jump is a huge headache in the hunt field, since somebody has to go back and reset the jump to prevent the landowners from getting mad when their cattle get out, or what have you. (Modern day score- 45.)
A horse that refuses in the hunt field will cause a log jam of horse traffic at the jump, which is dangerous. (Modern day score- 40.) And a horse that kicks out in the hunt field could injure a hound or another horse or another rider. (Modern day score- 50.) So those are all major, major scoring faults.
Obviously the show hunters have evolved a lot from the origins in the hunt field, but the basic principles are still reflected in the scoring for show hunters. The horse that jumps well with a long stride is considered closer to the ideal hunter than the one that does not cover the ground as efficiently.
The horse with a shorter stride can still be a good horse, and still be successful, but he will not be considered as close to the ideal version of a hunter when the competition gets stiff at the higher levels.
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True, but “long, reaching stride” also used to mean forward gallop, where-as now most horses in the show ring today would be left in the last field if they traveled that slowly in the hunt field. On the flip side, if you went the speed you might go in the hunt field in the show ring, it would also not be pinned well. So while the origins are"long reaching stride", the application today is much different.
While we’re at it - when did “strides” even start to become a thing in the show ring? Legitimate question, as that was the first step to where we are now instead of just galloping everything out of stride as it came up as in days of yore. The 1960s? 70s?
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Agreed. I’d also like to add that in my area, draft crosses and Gypsy Vanners seem to be the hunt horse of choice.
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Is Small Conformation Hunters still a thing? One of the horses I rode a lot when I returned to riding was an old 15.1 hand TB mare who’d been aimed at that division as a youngster, until an unfortunate accident left her sound enough to ride, but not to show. She was born around 1983.
Can anyone else weight in on their experience with this? I thought I was just crazy for thinking my little one is harder to ride. And yes I do think her jump feels huge compared to my big tb when jumping the same height.
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Wonder how everyone, top riders included, would do if they weren’t allowed to walk the course first, and had to jump out of stride.
Just a random thought! Would be a fun class.
My old man (since retired) had a kickback that required some skill to ride. He is also little, so he puts actual effort in starting at probably 2’6".
He would crack his back starting at 3’, and that with his kickback required a skilled rider.
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The length between jumps is posted on the posted course diagram. On bending or unrelated lines, top riders can definitely ride out of stride.
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Forgive me if this has already been mentioned, but it’s much harder for any horse to make 12’ strides over smaller fences. Since they land/take off closer to the jump, there’s more space in the line between a line of 2’6" jumps and 3’6" jumps. This makes the add easier and even practical for even a horse with a longer natural stride.
I’m now far removed from hunter land, but it would be great to see the add not penalized. But maybe I’m biased because I ride a 14.2 pony 
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I’ve only showed hunters locally but I’ve never walked the course or seen anyone else do it. Same for most of the local jumper shows.
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