I was watching a cross rail hunter class the other day and some of those horses and ponies are so good at their job, so carefully carrying their little riders around safely.A question came to mind as I watched and I did ask a couple of judge friends but thought I would like some other input. What exactly is expected of these horses, what makes one the winner?Do you get penalized for cantering off after the jump? Do horses that trot over like cavalletti do better or worse than ones that actually jump? (consider all other things being equal such as nice corners, straight approaches, consistant pace and remember this is a w/t class)
The crossrail classes at the shows I have been at, the horses are allowed to canter. I am not embarrassed to say that my kid and pony went into these classes at a big show to get the green pony miles in a ring (there was lots of fill on the real jumps that were in the ring and along the outside). I do have to admit it killed me to pay the price for crossrails (eyeroll) but it was good to get the pony in the ring.
Anyway- around here the crossrail eq or hunter classes they are allowed to canter and the cantering ones seem to be rewarded if they are steady, on the correct lead etc. My kid’s first show she trotted everything (she’s 9 and the pony is fancy but green- the ring was overwhelming with the other jumps) and won (she has great eq). But when a kid with equally good eq cantered the next class and got leads, etc she won.
Though I roll my eyes (just being honest) it gave my pony some great miles with his kid in the ring. They have now graduated to attempting to navigate other courses (off topic).
Typically the show prizelist will list the specs-- the ones I have seen are mostly judged on manners-- quietness and straightness, less on the actual jump (since many horses don’t really jump). I have seen “must trot the corners/ turns” but never seen cantering in the lines penalized. I’ve only seen school horses and very green horses/ riders compete and it’s generally been the steadiest that won. Typically if you compete in them, you can’t cross enter into the 2’+ which helps limit it.
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When not otherwise specified in the prize list or rules, in my ring, top placings go to the pairs who are steadiest and most consistent all the way around - they use the corners, go over the middle of the fences and stay straight in the lines. Those that seem to pick up speed as they go or canter some of the corners but trot others drop down the card. If you start out trotting the first fence, I am going to expect the horse to come back to trot without much resistance within a few strides after each single fence or line and trot into other single fences or lines. If you start out by cantering the first fence, I am going to expect that you canter the course except for doing simple changes if needed.
Are you sure it was crossrail hunters? Personally, I’ve never been at a show that offered crossrail hunters, it’s always crossrail equitation. Crossrail hunters seems pretty silly to me.
At our local show we have a crossrail division - two o/f classes, one eq o/f class, hunter u/s, and eq u/s.
How safe the horse is is a big thing. Are they weaving in and out and causing the kid to bawl their eyes out due to being scared and being frustrated? Not a winner. Is the kid yanking and kicking around the course like a madrider? Not a winner. Are they going along honestly, pretty straight, and making it over all of the jumps? Probably your winner. Just like with any hunter division keeping the same pace is preferred, but most of the contestants will trot in canter out and then go back to trot. There are a lot who will just keep their ponies at the trot. That is something you’d want to talk to the judge/show host about or refer to the show program to see what is preferred. Consistency is the key though. If you are going to trot in canter out DO IT EVERY TIME. If you are going to trot it all then trot it all.
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One judge told me they have a silver dollar in their pocket so they can feel heads or tails:ambivalence:.
My area the better shows have the poles and crossrails as Eq only, hard to judge a “Hunter” with no actual jump.
Not a judge myself, but I sat in with my trainer when she judged a local show, which was a great educational experience. (Biggest takeaway: the judge is rooting for every single rider to do well!) Lots of introductory level classes, including several crossrail classes. I agree with @rockonxox , you just want safe and consistent. Usually there is a clear winner, or top 2-3, then it’s deciding what you value, which at that level, I want to be safety and consistency. I’d take the horse that trotted cavaletti-style over things over one that jumped the standards knees-to-eyeballs at that level.
I have seen crossrail hunters for very green riders or very green horses at local stuff. Again, usually just looking for the most consistent. At that level, it’s a learning thing, horses and riders are just getting out and learning what to do, you’re not looking for the next Rox Dene going around, you want a steady, consistent ride.
When I judge shows at this level, SAFETY is my #1 priority. That includes soundness, horse/rider compatibility, and consistency. I don’t care which gait is used around the course, as long as the horse and/or rider doesn’t take years off my life in the process. That is more unusual than one might imagine. :lol:
Beyond that, suitability (size of horse vs. rider, etc.) and quality of the trip become tie breakers.
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