[QUOTE=harrisburgrules;7239006]
Last year I got pretty major surgery right before Harrisburg. I was on the couch with live feeds for all of indoor season haha!
Hope all goes well with your procedure.[/QUOTE]
Thanks. It’s all in the timing, isn’t it. My PT asked me today how I was possibly going to confine myself to the couch for the weekend. I explained my clever plan.
[QUOTE=Renae;7238995]
I wouldn’t be so sure 
At Devon I saw some of the hunter/jumper riders having trouble getting the right gait at the right time and figuring out how a Saddlebred is ridden in a full bridle (it’s a much lighter feel, with a lot less curb, then what most people coming from a hunter/jumper background are used to). Each discipline definitely has it’s finer points that someone from the outside wouldn’t even think about until they actually tried it!
The Saddlebred trainers will be jumping a 3’ course.
This class at the National Horse Show will be tomorrow (Wednesday) evening.
At Devon the Saddlebreds loaned for the special class were all top end horses, current and former World’s Champions.[/QUOTE]
Hi all!!
Finally made it to being able to post on the forum. That random question got me I have to admit. Is that to ward off stoopid people?? Ha Ha fooled 'em!!
I do want to start by telling you that I do not ride your disipline of H/J but Saddlseat and Saddlebreds. Although waaaaay back when somewhere I did end up in a forward seat going over a few jumps…but, turned out not to be my thing. I would come up to a wall with my eyes closed doing a Charlie Jayne body cross while Uraya was bucking!!
Anyway long story short…I’ve been recuperating from open heart surgery and like the rest of you with “procedures” started watching USEF Network VOD and then live streams and the 1st one was the Talent Search. Hey, as long as it’s watching horses and shows, pretty much any discipline will suffice but then came Pennsylvania and then Washington and now Alltech which I would have watched anyway but I feel fully bi-discipline!! I was toggling between WIHS and Mane Event last week. The names from show to show are pretty much the same so it becomes easy to follow and, a lead is a lead and I learned about counting strides and from readiing these threads, realized that some of my querries were the same as many of yours’ but I really learned a lot from reading then going and re-watching a video to really see what the comment related to.
I do still have questions regarding classes/divisions and how it seems that some go for it all. I would say to myself gosh, this horse was just in the last class and here they are again. Like how can you been a green AND regular conformation hunter. Doesn’t green refer to “new” or only limited showing or age. Can you be a conformation hunter and not one? Very confusing. I get the Handy but again you can be handy and not handy? In Saddleseat our divisions are pretty cut and dry…Open, Show Pleasure, Park Pleasure, Country Pleasure, A/O, Juveniles and of course 3 gaited or 5 gaited.
So yea, I’m excited about the swap that they are having tomorrow after class 405 according to the ASHA release. And by the way, you know that they do have Saddlebred and Hackney classes at Alltech. Thank goodness USEF will be streaming cause this HRTV kinda bites…it’s never on…and, they want you to pay for it… The saddleseat trainers probably have ridden hunseat sometime in their lifetime…hasn’t everybody!! I think the funny part is seeing tall hunt boots and coat in a cutback saddle riding with shorter stirrups looks comical…and yes, a weymouth and bradoon is not quite the same as a pelham. And yes, wigglying that butt deep in the saddle to get the slow gait takes practice even for seasoned riders. It’s just so different with the high stepping bouncy trot and some of the 5 gaited horses do a gallop instead of a canter. I enjoyed watching it at Devon and I’m sure it will even be more fun since it’s both ways this time.
Well, I guess I’ve said enough for my first post… I don’t want to wear my welcome out.:ambivalence:
I look forward to “watching” the shows with you and partaking in the discussions, observations and frustrations.
[QUOTE=Road Apples;7239045]
I do want to start by telling you that I do not ride your discipline of H/J but Saddlseat and Saddlebreds. Although waaaaay back when somewhere I did end up in a forward seat going over a few jumps…but, turned out not to be my thing. I would come up to a wall with my eyes closed doing a Charlie Jayne body cross while Uraya was bucking!![/QUOTE]
I think it will be great fun to have a real-time opinion on how the hunter/jumper people are doing on the saddlebreds! I rode saddleseat a bit, but it was when I was under 10, so I’m not really clear about what we’re looking for. I watched some of the World’s Championship this summer and really enjoyed it— watching the best of the best together is good for both disciplines!
I’ve been laid up with a rotator cuff injury since mid september and the only thing keeping me sane is watching indoors for the past 7 weeks! After this weekend I have no idea what I am going to do to keep myself entertained!
I have a brother in law who rides western. He is basically a real life cowboy - goes on insane trail rides, breaks young mustangs, goes out west and herds cattle. I wouldn’t do half the things he does. When I talk about jumping he always says, “Jumping horses over stuff? You guys are crazy! No thank you!”
Always funny to see the comparisons - we both can’t imagine being the other person! Interesting to see the disciplines intersecting like this. They are all so different!
[QUOTE=Renn/aissance;7238934]
Does anyone want to join me in my corner while I pout and whine about working on Maclay Sunday?[/QUOTE]
I’m right there with you. I haven’t decided whether to attempt to avoid spoilers and watch the whole thing start to finish the next day, or just check the results Sunday night. :lol:
[QUOTE=BigEqRls;7239065]
I think it will be great fun to have a real-time opinion on how the hunter/jumper people are doing on the saddlebreds! I rode saddleseat a bit, but it was when I was under 10, so I’m not really clear about what we’re looking for. I watched some of the World’s Championship this summer and really enjoyed it— watching the best of the best together is good for both disciplines![/QUOTE]
I think it will be fun too and look forward to watching together.
As far as what we’re looking for…I would say smiles, giggles, and safe rides. We’ll probably have to let the equitation slide this time BUT…if they do it again with the same people next year, equitation counts!! The Moore girls are fabulous, very game riders.
See you guys tomorrow!! :yes:
[QUOTE=iEquitate;7238360]
Anyone see that Clearway is doing the high performance with Lillie? Not a bad way to prep for the equitation :)[/QUOTE]
He did the 1st years with Laena last year, too. 
It’s sad when the riders of the top US show hunters can’t sit the canter on the flat.
[QUOTE=voltaire51147;7239439]
It’s sad when the riders of the top US show hunters can’t sit the canter on the flat.[/QUOTE]
:rolleyes: They CAN, but it’s not what is done in the hunter undersaddles.
Why are people so snarky this fall? Jeez.
[QUOTE=supershorty628;7239450]
:rolleyes: They CAN, but it’s not what is done in the hunter undersaddles.
Why are people so snarky this fall? Jeez.[/QUOTE]
If they can, why don’t they?
I am just stating my opinion and, yes, I am archaic having not shown for twenty years. But, if your horse has a wonderful canter, which it should, why not show it off by sitting comfortably? Why did this change? Who introduced it?
[QUOTE=voltaire51147;7239466]
If they can, why don’t they?
I am just stating my opinion and, yes, I am archaic having not shown for twenty years. But, if your horse has a wonderful canter, which it should, why not show it off by sitting comfortably? Why did this change? Who introduced it?[/QUOTE]
The hunter undersaddle is not the “who has the most comfortable canter class.” It is to show their fluid movement and consistency of gaits. I don’t recall ever sitting out on the hunt field so why should it be done in the hunter undersaddle? The best jumping horse need not have the most comfortable canter – plus why are you assuming they are not sitting because they are not comfortable? And, I’ve shown for the better part of the the last 3+ decades and I don’t honestly remember ever sitting on my horse like a couch in the US.
[QUOTE=voltaire51147;7239466]
If they can, why don’t they?
I am just stating my opinion and, yes, I am archaic having not shown for twenty years. But, if your horse has a wonderful canter, which it should, why not show it off by sitting comfortably? Why did this change? Who introduced it?[/QUOTE]
Because a half-seat usually encourages a nice mover to go forward and flow, while they tend to collect when sitting. Especially at a show full of top movers, a little softness/pace (which sitting does not give you) can make all the difference.
[QUOTE=voltaire51147;7239466]
If they can, why don’t they?
I am just stating my opinion and, yes, I am archaic having not shown for twenty years. But, if your horse has a wonderful canter, which it should, why not show it off by sitting comfortably? Why did this change? Who introduced it?[/QUOTE]
It is not the fashion in the hunters and hasn’t been as long as i’ve been showing starting in the 70s. Remember that the hunters were supposed to be analogous to fox hunting back in the day and although we’ve moved away from that some it is still the underlying principle. You actually see a lot more people sitting the canter in front of the jumps than you ever did in the past but they still don’t sit the canter in the under saddle (mostly). A wonderful canter aka way of going is important for the hunters so getting off their back is the best way to showcase that gait IMO.
There maybe some breed specific hunters that sit the canter… maybe QHs?? But usually not in the USHJA hunters.
Yes Voltaire, you are archaic. The u/s is judged on the horses performance and movement. the rider will adopt whatever position that will show their horses gaits to the best advantage. I can assure you that every rider in there can, sit, stand, post and sit on backwards at the canter. Your point is about as valid as criticizing jockeys for bending over at the canter. Sorry, but sometimes people just post ridiculous things.
Just curious…and here’s a 1st comparison of Huntseat and Saddleseat…in an U/S class in Hunter at the trot, do you have to trot on the correct diagonal? If all for the cadence and smoothness, some horses look better when rider either doesn’t post or not on correct diagonal. Of course this does not apply to equitation classes. In saddleseat, very often in performance classes riders do not post or post on incorrect diagonal for the sake of showing the gait.
And something else…what is the protocol for wearing a shadbelly and not? I noticed that most of the kids wear them (and looks oh so cute) and during these classes they are being worn. Just has more of a formal look perhaps for evening??
I wish they wouldn’t show all the sponsor stuff on the screen during changes in ring and the drags…that’s part of the fun in watching. I feel like I’m missing something.
Thanks!!
For u/s classes, being on the correct diagonal is pretty important, though more in equitation than hunter classes, as it is considered rider error–hunter classes are judged on the horse only. However, a hunter could look unsound with a rider posting on the wrong diagonal so it is never done.
Shadbellys are only worn by women, and only for “Stakes” classes, classics, and recently in hunter derbys. Basically, anywhere “formal” attire is required. A shadbelly is not required attire however, and a regular hunt coat can be worn for these classes as well. It isn’t appropriate to wear a shadbelly unless it is noted as appropriate attire in the class specs. Is this similar to when saddleseat riders wear tuxedos with top hats?
ETA-- at indoors there is always one stakes class in the hunter division (shadbellys), which is the same format as the regular over fences, but sometimes has more prize money, and then a handy class, which is about being able to show adjustability and to some extent bravery, along with the u/s for movement.
Remember that the Hunter divisions typically consist of 2 or 3 over fences rounds judged separately and usually split over two days. Day one might be 2 o/f and day 2 (in front of different judge(s) 1 o/f and the u/s. Frequently there will be a warm up class over fences called Low or something so you do see the same horses coming back for several trips around within a short time.
This format allows a horse to show consistency under different judges and lessens the impact of a single iffy round with a few rubs or a judge that hates you.
A Green Hunter is in its first year at that specific height and may also do the regular class as long as it meets the fence height restrictions for cross entering. A Hunter no longer eligible Green at a specific height may not cross enter into the Green.
Unlike the Gaited horses, Hunters show low and toward at trot and canter. No need to post on the “incorrect” diagonal to enhance knee and hock action.
Hope this helps with understanding the differences besides having to jump.
In the grand scheme of things, this isn’t important at all. But I liked the black background on USEF Network better!
[QUOTE=Road Apples;7239045]
Hi all!!
…
I do still have questions regarding classes/divisions and how it seems that some go for it all. I would say to myself gosh, this horse was just in the last class and here they are again. Like how can you been a green AND regular conformation hunter. Doesn’t green refer to “new” or only limited showing or age. Can you be a conformation hunter and not one? Very confusing. I get the Handy but again you can be handy and not handy? In Saddleseat our divisions are pretty cut and dry…Open, Show Pleasure, Park Pleasure, Country Pleasure, A/O, Juveniles and of course 3 gaited or 5 gaited. HRTV kinda bites…it’s never on…and, they want you to pay for it…
I look forward to “watching” the shows with you and partaking in the discussions, observations and frustrations.[/QUOTE]
The green conf is limited to horses in their first year of showing over 3’6", but the regular is open to everyone. So a horse can do both. A horse can do both the conformation divisions and the working (non conformation) divisions. Every division has one class that is a handy, 2-3 that are not a handy, and an u/s (“hack”). A champion is given for every division.
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