Can anybody give a short primer on the ladder of classes (in terms of horse/rider progression) in the hunter world in the U.S.? I have a question, but I don’t understand the basic progression anymore, or the names of these things.
Surely, lower heights are more for beginners than higher heights. Don’t know if “first year green” and “second year green” exist anymore. I went to the USHJA website, but didn’t find what I was looking for.
Thanks,
Basically, at USEF recognized shows, the unrecognized divisions such as baby green or schooling might start around 2’6". After a recent reorganization, the green hunter divisions now are divided into 3’, 3’3", 3’6", and 3’9". There are also performance divisions at various heights starting at 3’, and the international hunter derbies include the highest jumps, with options well over 4’. Green hunters are restricted based on past experience, while performance hunters and derbies are open to all.
There are also assorted divisions based on restrictions related to the rider’s age or experience. Pony classes are divided by the ponies’ height, with corresponding age restrictions for the riders. Children’s hunters and junior hunters must be shown by riders under the age of 18, and juniors and amateurs nowadays can jump 3’3" or 3’6".
There are also many divisions at lower heights with different names, but since those are not USEF recognized divisions, the heights and specs may vary from one show to the next.
Lots of choices. 
For horses, I think the green division is still the way to go. 3’, 3’3",3’6". These divisions were revamped this year so I am not sure of the restrictions now. There are very few restrictions in the lower level classes if you are talking under 3’ because they are not recognized divisions so no rules are attached to them by the USEF. There are sometimes restrictions at each horse show by the horse show or by state associations. But the low adult and low children division are often completely unregulated and someone competing in a higher division can also do the 2’6" division. The old maiden and novice designations are long gone at USEF shows.
There’s also the Young Hunters, restricted by horse age as opposed to show experience. Here’s a cheat sheet for Young and Green divisions: https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/FdD8XJd7-z4/green-young-hunter-information-sheet
What exactly is your question? Perhaps you’ll get a more specific answer?
But yes essentially lower heights are for either green horses or beginner riders. Higher heights for the more experienced. Saying that the 3’ divisions often have the most entries for non-pros and are very competitive.
Maybe looking at a recent rated show class list will help you? Not sure what the question is, but you can see what classes are provided and who can enter them:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/cms-hits/files/attached_files/1840/NY_PrizeListSummaryRevised_17.pdf
The USHJA website is a mess.
I’m wondering about aging OUT of a division. I know of a rider who is in her late 60s who has a nice horse and places well when she shows. Apparently there is some resentment that she shows at a particular level, and a feeling that she should “move up”. And my thought is “She’s going to be 70 next year. It’s a darned good thing she can even consistently show at the level she’s AT.” (And a bunch of further uncharitable thoughts about whiney babies.) But I don’t understand the hunter ladder and expectations, so maybe one is always expected to go higher after a period of time, even in one’s golden years.
For amateur owners at rated shows, the hunter heights go from 3’ to 3’6". For adult equitation it maxes out at 3’ (other than a few random medal classes). I can tell you its frustrating to be someone who just moved up to 3’ showing against the 18-25 year olds who did the 3’6" big eq classes as juniors. It’s even more frustrating when I show agianst someone in 3’ and then see them go around winning at 1.30. But oh well. This is not a sport of a level playing field, especially not in judged divisions like hunters and eq. And if the person in question feels safe at 3’ then she should stay there. For many of us we want to move up and then get competitive and then move up again. But that’s not for everyone. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to hone your craft at 3’3" and be the best darn rider out there every time.
I think it depends on the rider’s goals, what they feel is “sporting,” and sometimes significant life considerations (ie safety or the horse–mine is pegged out at 3’), and what makes the rider feel “good” about their riding and themselves. I know I was very happy to get past 18 inches when I started because showing against kids with braids and bows sucked…the few times I did beat them! Would I keep competing at 3’ if I had a horse that could do 3’6" ??? Probably not, but who knows. Maybe I don’t want the wear and tear on my horse or maybe it’s where will still feel comfortable. But if I am still showing when I am 70…well that would be awesome. Good for your friend, she just needs to keep doing what makes her happy.
Things like “first year green” are for horses, not for riders. If this is an older adult, good for her for still showing at almost 70. If she’s an adult amateur, and in a division appropriate to her status as an amateur, I cannot imagine anyone complaining at a rated show. Adults are divided by age group at larger shows, and even in something like the non-rated 2’6 Pre Adult division you see a pretty wide range of ages and skills. There are now also open “USHJA 2’/2’6/3’” classes, too, where both ammys and pros can compete if she’s not an amateur.
What division is this rider currently showing in?
As far as I know, the Amateur Owners division in the US jumps at 3’3" or 3"6". The Adult Amateur division (where you don’t have to own the horse) jumps at 3’ or 3’3".
Unfortunately, at any show, there may be people who display poor sportsmanship. That might be someone who complains about competitors who beat them. Or it might be someone who shows below their ability to win more ribbons. In either case, if an exhibitor is following the rules and the class specs, there’s really nothing else to be said.
As another poster mentioned, the low adult division often has a wide array of exhibitors. Some of them may be working their way up the ladder, while others may be working their way back down. And the people working their way back down are often very good riders with very nice horses, combined with many years of experience. It can be a very competitive division.
And plenty of riders show at the same height forever without moving up or down, if that’s the best fit for their horse or ability.
Generally a thought expressed by people who want to be in the ‘everyone who can beat me can’t show against me division’ division.
If she is eligible for the division, she is free to show there. And unless she is extremely capable and is using the lack of restrictions to pile up easy wins, the rest is sour grapes.
People need to remember that hunters are about the horse. There are also restrictions on horse/rider combinations competing in multiple divisions ie If Jane and Dobbin show in the 3’ Adult Amateurs they can’t also compete in the 3’6" Amateur Owners together.
No one complains when a pro gets off their 1.40m jumper and then gets on a different horse to do the hunters. It shouldn’t be any different for a junior or amateur. You don’t know the horses limitations.
Poor sportsmanship happens in every ring, these complaints can just as easily happen in the jumper ring where it isn’t judged. The best thing is to just ignore it, they’re sore losers.
I, too, have great respect for older riders who still manage a 3’ or 3"6" course beautifully (hell, even 2’6" for that matter!) - but, as GoodTimes pointed out, hunters are about the horse and there’s no ‘aging out’ of a horse division, sans the Young Hunter classes. If she’s showing and winning on her 3’ AA horse, who just can’t physically handle 3’6" on a year-round show schedule, then that’s that…nobody should be complaining because she is showing her horse at the level that he is best suited for. There’s much to the selection of appropriate height that is far beyond “she wins at this height.”
(1) I don’t know what the class was. I’m sure it was mentioned but since this is not my field, the labels go in one ear and out the other.
(2) Perhaps the complaint was about the horse’s age/accomplishments rather than her? That’s not what I picked up on, but as I say, not a field I know a lot about.
Just closing the loop. Thanks for your help!
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