Awwww monalisa, I really do not think anyone is bashing here.
It is all in good fun, we are really all on the same side 
As always JSwan and acertainsmile, you two crack me up!
W W!
Agreed. And when we have a thread bashing show hunters, we’ll let you know. How 'bout that.
This isn’t bashing. The two sports don’t have much in common anymore. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure that out. It’s pretty common knowledge that there are still folks that do both. But it’s the exception, not the rule. Used to be the opposite was true.
Last time I checked, it was a pretty universal observation among horsemen, including the movers and shakers in the h/j world.
:lol::lol: You would think. But trust me, there are more than a few that still think their sport and attire is related to foxhunting.
That would be great!!! :lol:
No one is bashing show hunters here, Monalisa. I have a very fancy horse myself that I show and foxhunt, she is a homebred and she is insured for more than what I paid for my truck when I bought it new. And it’s a very nice truck. We show once a month or so and hunt with two hunts during hunting season.
But the day my horse is “too valuable” to do what I love and have fun with her is the day I sell her. Not to mention that a made field hunter in certain parts of the country that are known for that can and do sell for as much as if not more than a fancy show hunter. I have seen some sell for low 6 figures.
We are just having a discussion about if a discipline that was once closely based on another is still actually something even remotely resembling it’s origins, and I think we all agree that the answer is no.
New to the Hunting side of the BB and just loved this topic! I have a Show Hunter I am bringing along and have no intention on trying to Fox Hunt, as I would surely get myself killed, but I think it would be a TOTAL BLAST to try.
I also have to agree that the two sports have deviated significantly from one another, but am hopeful that with the new emphasis on it from the USHJA Hunter classes will become more diverse, unique and fun again.
Last summer we attended a small local show that held a outdoor Hunter class. It was a VERY large fenced grass paddock really with natural jumps built here and there. We did the 18" options (this is a fancy 3’6" horse now) and so we go trotting in, pick up a canter and he was snorting and looking, eyes completely buldging out I’m sure & all - just a total mess. So I sit back (yes we can do that) and head to the first huge 18" cross rail and he cow trots it like a total baffoon! I was laughing so hard I could hardly steer to the next jump. We get down to the far end of the ring and there were lots of horribly scary trees with branches sticking out! OMG!!! We did 3 classes like this and he hardly could get around. It was soooooooooooooooooooo good for him!!!
[QUOTE=monalisa;3118469]
Liken it to taking a $100K automobile cross country, you just would not do it.[/QUOTE]
YOU just would not do it but I sure would. Land Rovers are purpose built for that type of use and it is a shame they are now coveted by soccer moms and more about the form than the function. Hmm, sounds sort of like a metaphor for the hunters of today. Interesting.
Land Rovers, Jeeps, Hummers…yeah I have to agree with you on that!:yes:
Stick around on this forum. The posters know how to have fun:winkgrin:
Your attitude is so refreshing! But don’t be so quick to think you’d get killed if you went out and tried foxhunting. It’s really not that bad and most hunts are very accomodating to beginners in the field who have these concerns. I have had several wonderful experiences with the hunt I’ve been out with this season. Not to mention, even if your own horse cannot go out sometimes people will offer mounts that CAN. That’s how 2 of my friends ended up going hunting this year as well.
Oooo - what are they drinking? I want some!
[QUOTE=LookinSouth;3119032]
Stick around on this forum. The posters know how to have fun:winkgrin:
Your attitude is so refreshing! But don’t be so quick to think you’d get killed if you went out and tried foxhunting. It’s really not that bad and most hunts are very accomodating to beginners in the field who have these concerns. I have had several wonderful experiences with the hunt I’ve been out with this season. Not to mention, even if your own horse cannot go out sometimes people will offer mounts that CAN. That’s how 2 of my friends ended up going hunting this year as well.[/QUOTE]
I decided that while people think foxhunting and steeplchasing is scary and danger, I find some of the upper level eventing even SCARIER!
I know this is a discussion about foxhunting vs. hunters, but I just made this observation this weekend while looking at some of the fences on the course at Shawan Downs. I have schooled horses over timber, and hurdles, and done plenty of foxhunting, however, the jumps I saw there looked WAY more intimidating and dangerous.
Anyways, back to the topic, I agree that hunters has strayed far from its roots. Though the new Hunter Derby is steps in the right direction of getting back to the roots, but there still wasn’t any tradition behind it. I believe it was Gulfport where they had to open a gate, and the guy who won got OFF to open the gate. Now, for those of you who hunt, if you’re on a run and need to get through a gate, you usually open it mounted (as those who recall, Stuart Sanders did it superbly at the Centennial Field Hunters Championships). I see the organizers trying, but again, it’s still not quite the level of a “Field Hunter.”
Well, “show hunters” IS related to foxhunting. Just not very CLOSELY related.
I mean I am related to Willam the Conquerer. Just not very CLOSELY related.
It was Andrew Kocher who got off his horse and opened the gate. He was the only one who closed the gate too. He didn’t win but came in second to Renaissance. Here are some pictures that I took. It was supposed to be held in the huge GP grass ring but it rained the night before and had to be moved to the main hunter ring. They kept the timber jump up for the A/O and Jr. classes.
http://s156.photobucket.com/albums/t13/ntorchia/Hunter%20Derby/
Some of my favorites:
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t13/ntorchia/Gulfport%20top/top3.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t13/ntorchia/Gulfport%20top/top1.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t13/ntorchia/Hunter%20Derby/IMG_2115.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t13/ntorchia/Gulfport%20top/top2.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t13/ntorchia/Gulfport%20top/top4.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t13/ntorchia/Gulfport%20top/top5.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t13/ntorchia/Gulfport%20top/top6.jpg
:lol::lol: Okay, well ya got me there Janet. And how cool your actually related to William the Conquerer.
Dunno, but it ain’t out of a flask…cause they don’t carry one:D Although maybe they SHOULD start carrying flasks :lol:
No one but the OP, you mean. She started this thread as an ‘I told you so’ to a thread in the hunter forum.
And while you may say the rest of you aren’t bashing, as a hunter rider, I would say that you are. :winkgrin:
Please help out this lowly hunter rider who seems to think show hunter attire is derived from the fox hunting tradition. Where have I gone so wrong?
Where’s the whine icon when you need it???
I think your taking a difference of opinion a little too personally. No where have I “bashed” hunters. Sorry to get your panties in a wad over inquiring over what REAL foxhunters think . If you read my OP you’ll see I asked for opinions and my question was totally unbiased. Clearly you just can’t stand a discussion that YOU don’t agree with???
Check your purse. I think it’s probably in there.
[quote=LookinSouth;3119625]I think your taking a difference of opinion a little too personally. No where have I “bashed” hunters. Sorry to get your panties in a wad over inquiring over what REAL foxhunters think . If you read my OP you’ll see I asked for opinions and my question was totally unbiased. Clearly you just can’t stand a discussion that YOU don’t agree with???
[/quote]
You started this thread knowing what particular type of answers you would get (and mostly from posters who’ve displayed disdain for show hunters anyway…and who have veered from the attire specification)… To me that is disingenious and snarky. I can stand having discussion with people who don’t agree with me. BUT, I have a hard time having any type of discussion with you.
:lol: Well at least you haven’t totally lost your sense of humor.
[QUOTE=RugBug;3119605]
No one but the OP, you mean. She started this thread as an ‘I told you so’ to a thread in the hunter forum.
And while you may say the rest of you aren’t bashing, as a hunter rider, I would say that you are. :winkgrin:
Please help out this lowly hunter rider who seems to think show hunter attire is derived from the fox hunting tradition. Where have I gone so wrong?[/QUOTE]
I do both hunters and field hunting…and sure the attire is DERIVED from what you wear hunting, but is NOTHING close to what we wear now. I’d get laughed out of the ring by some of the hunter princesses (and I am one when I show) if I showed up in my frock (egads, it looks like a dressage coat! but oh so different).
I completely respect those who ride well and have nice horses and nice rounds, however, the question is more comparing the two, and there isn’t much to compare.
