Can someone give me a quick explanation as to what this division is? Thanks!
It is generally 2’6" (although HITS Ocala sometimes makes it as low as 2’3"). It is called Pre- as it is the class below regular 3" Adult hunter.
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atl_hunter is correct on the fence height. One must be an amateur (no pros allowed in this division). Obviously it’s a hunter division, so judged on style, way of going, obedience, soundness, etc.
It’s not a rated division, so the fence heights can vary from show to show, but in general it’s a 2’6" hunter division open to amateur adults.
It is also being renamed “Low Adult” in some areas. It is not divided into age groups, so anyone over 18 is permitted. It is generally for those not yet ready to enter the 3’ Adult division or for those, like me, who are old (or have other reasons) and have no desire to jump higher. It if often quite competitive.
Very helpful. Thank you!
Pre-Adults were 2’9" at a show I used to attend in Northern California. Modified Adults were 2’6". In my state, that’s reversed (Pre-Ad 2’6", Modifieds at 2’9"). So height is really dependent on where you are.
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In Texas it is called Modified Adults (aka Mortified Adults). 2’6" fence height, open only to amateurs.
eta: as others have also mentioned, it’s often a very tough division here. Lots of really nice/fancy horses on autopilot. Two years ago at Pin Oak, there were 31 in it.
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OMG I am going to HITs lol
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Ditto for the MidAtlantic to comments from @Didi. Nice horses and often a bigger division than the older or younger A/As these days.
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In NorCal, I’ve seen pre-adults at 2’3, 2’6, and 2’9, Depending on the show. Usually there’s a pre-, a low, and a modified, just depends which label matches with which height. At Woodside, at least, 2’3 and 2’9 are combined ch/ad, but the 2’6 cards run separately. No idea why.
The 2’6" low adults (mortified adults… I’m petitioning for a name change… or just starting to call it this on my own) is usually one of the largest and most competitive in my area too… Nice horses. It’s a tough one and agree there are so many more people showing here than the AA or A/O divisions.
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In my area, there is a 2’6" hunter division called the Special Adults. I’m not kidding. I really can’t make this sh*t up.
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As far as I know, the lines are still 12’, so you need a nice stridey horse to jump that low and make the lines nice! Very competitive in Texas. Super nice horses, too rich for my blood!
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If my Aging Brain can be trusted, 2’6"-2’9" used to be called Novice Adult (aka Nauseous Adult :D).
Yup… checked the embroidered anti-sweat I won for Reserve back in 1991 :eek: - that’s what it says.
So Novice was replaced by Pre?
Also is there still a Low Hunter?
Known familiarly as PRO Hunter, cuz that’s where trainers warmed up clients’ horses .
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it’s quite competitive where we are, too. Lots of very seasoned former A/A A/O types who have moved down or are riding a second, greener (but still very nice) horse, and lots of horses the trainer rides in the derby earlier in the week but the amateur isn’t ready for the bigger stuff.
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Hoping to move up to the 2’6" with my green bean next year, the division is called Novice Adult at the shows we are considering!
“Pre-adult” is an odd term which (to me) means “adolescent”. 
I think “novice” or “low” makes more sense.
Pre-adult is 2’6 here and is open to children, and amateurs. But the thing I don’t like about the division is that you cannot jump over 2’6 during that show. So I would like to take my green bean in the class, but would also like to take him in a 2’9 division. No such luck.
I think part of this is why there’s now the USHJA hunter divisions at various low heights. Of course, not restricted to amateurs, but for a schooling round with a green horse, doesn’t matter a lot right?
