Questions about attire in Hunters/Eq?

[crookedpainting]

I’m taking my green OTTB to his first ever show next weekend. Our plan is to event, however I think that just going to a schooling HJ show will benefit him, seeing as they are good for exposure to the show environment but without a ton of excitement like I find at events. Plus, there are no unrecognized events in our area going on. We’ll be doing the 2’ hunters + eq, and the accompanying flat classes, and then maybe the 2’ jumpers if he’s feeling up to it. I know what’s allowed in jumpers, but I have a couple questions about Hunters + Eq.

1. My most important one is probably can I use a square white pad? I initially looked at getting one of the Wilker’s pads but they’re not forward enough for my saddle, and the cheapest alternative that fits is an EcoGold forward flap hunter pad, which I refuse to buy because spending $180 on a pad I’ll use 4 times makes no sense to me, even if I can re-sell it. It’s just a plain square white one, and he’s a light bay with almost no white markings except a star/snip/stripe kind of thing and a bit of white scar hairs on his right front leg.

2. Can I use white knee-patch breeches? I can go pick some tan ones up really quickly at a Dover but if not needed then why bother?

3. Can I wear brown field boots? I have the Ariat Heritage Contour II in Sienna, not sure if those are acceptable? I have traditional MDC ‘S’ top stirrups already.

4. He doesn’t need to be braided, right?

5. Are gloves needed? I have black ones but I personally hate using gloves because I can’t feel the horse very well.

6. I have plain leather reins with markers/hand stops that are rubber-lined on the inside. Do I need laced reins? Edit: The rubber is not visible, it’s thin and the exact same color as the leather.

7. No boots in Hunters, but are black open front and ankle boots acceptable in Eq? They’re the Majyk Equipe ones (not leather), would they be too jumper-y or does it not matter since it’s judged on the rider?

8. Not my main concern, but interesting nonetheless. He’s currently going in a more dressage-y frame, but not completely. Accepting of contact and on the bit, not as ‘framed-up’ as a fully dressage horse would be but definitely more dressage-like than a hunter. Should I try to ride him somewhat long + low for Hunters? He’s not short-strided and has (IMO) pretty nice gaits, just not flat and daisy cutter like a hunter.

The reason why I ask is because the prize list says (in specifics for hunter + eq dress) “Attire + tack USEF rules, relaxed” . What in the heck does that mean?

Last question before I press “Post” (Thank you for reading all the way down here).

Assuming my 1st jump is one in the front (e.g. Judge’s line traveling away from the gate, outside line traveling away from the gate, diagonal away from the gate) I should do a courtesy circle, right? And if I don’t do an opening circle, a closing circle?

Apologies for all these probably dumb questions, I’m coming from the eventing world with an eventing coach. I tried to watch videos of schooling rounds but without knowing the attire requirements I can’t tell what’s correct. I saw a hunter round at a show (on youtube) that was done in jumper tack, so I really don’t know.

Note: For those wondering why we don’t just do jumpers, my coach wants us to do the hunters + eq because (in their words) “Jumper rounds and XC rounds should ride like a faster hunter round. Smooth and confident, but with more pace”. I personally agree. We’re doing the eq because it’s at no extra expense to me, the classes are only $10 to enter and Eq I find rather fun. Like I said in the beginning too, it’s good exposure.

Note 2: My tack is all brown and I have a ‘hunter’ style bridle without any bling.

[trubandloki]

You say it is a schooling show so that can mean any level of stuff is allowed. Your best bet is to call the show organizer and ask what they expect and what they typically see at their shows.

Add that if you are going just to get the horse experience, as long as you are tidy and not breaking any rules then just use what you have and don’t worry about it.

[oreo_mom]

If you get a USEF Rulebook many of your questions will be answered. Clearly you aren’t going for points or ribbons so I sure wouldn’t spend money on anything you’ll never use again. Depending on the judge- and since it’s a schooling show— go have fun and I hope you accomplish what is on your list!

[crookedpainting]

@oreo mom

If you get a USEF Rulebook many of your questions will be answered.

I hope you accomplish what is on your list!

Upon looking in the attire section, they were, thank you! I feel a bit dumb for not looking there :lol: I do think I’ll just go with the square pad, seeing as there’s no actual specific determination. As for Eq and white breeches I’ll just wear them seeing as Hunters allow it.

And thank you! I’m quite proud of him for even being able to show at this level after only 10 months of retraining and about half of that just being lunge + desensitization work. He’s quite the little horse.

[joiedevie99]

Just call the secretary or someone who goes to these shows regularly and ask how “relaxed” the rules are.

[crookedpainting]

@trubandloki

Your best bet is to call the show organizer and ask what they expect and what they typically see at their shows.

Of course they didn’t pick up after multiple attempts of calling their numbers. I checked in with a couple acquaintances who have done some shows there and it would seem the attire acceptance depends on the judge however the common consensus was “you’ll be fine, you’re not going to actually place anyways”. Like you said, I’m going for horse experience. I’m not going to break any rules and they technically can’t disqualify me/ask that I change if I’m not breaking any rules. They can place me how they please though.

Ah, one more question. I’ve heard that “hunter hair” is what’s traditional/wanted. Is it mandatory? I’m not a little kid so obviously no show bows, but my hair is a bit above shoulder length and when in a ponytail barely noticeable. I can put it up and have a matching hair net, just curious because my helmet fits better with my hair down as that’s how I measured and also how I event.

[173north]

If you’re really just going to get the horse exposure, I wouldn’t worry about your horses’ frame or square pad/brown boots/reins with hand stops. You may stand out a little but who cares?

There is now rule whatsoever about hunter or eq saddle pads. “Boots and conservative colored bandages” are eq legal so I wouldn’t stress about your boots being too jumper-y. White breeches are legal.

Make sure your bit is legal - snaffle or pelham is safe, avoid elevators/gags/etc. Remember to take off your martingale for the under saddle if you’re using one. Beyond that, as long as your tack is legal and you are neat & clean I am sure you are in the clear at a local schooling show.

Here are the USEF hunter rules: https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/kW5W4HBsXe4/hu-hunter-division and the eq: https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/XdvTAt99tBw/eq-equitation-division.

[crookedpainting]

@173north

Make sure your bit is legal - snaffle or pelham is safe, avoid elevators/gags/etc. Remember to take off your martingale for the under saddle if you’re using one. Beyond that, as long as your tack is legal and you are neat & clean I am sure you are in the clear at a local schooling show.

Not worried about bit/martingale in the slightest, I’m lucky enough to be able to ride him xc and in an arena in just a loose ring w/o martingale. Any idea if brown boots are legal in either? I couldn’t find anything about them, but it might just be because I don’t have my glasses on me and skipped over them.
Edit: asking about boots because I’ve met some diehard hunter/eq people who only ride in black boots, to them it seem brown boots are a sin and some of them were judges, so

[JenEM]

I’ve shown at smaller schooling shows in brown field boots before. Not sure I’ve ever seen them in the ring at an A, but I have seen plenty of people with them for schooling now. They’re less common than black boots because so few companies were making them, but I’ve never gotten anything but compliments on them.

Honestly, how “relaxed” it is from USEF attire really depends on the show. I know plenty around here are basically what you’d see at an A show, minus braiding. And I’ve been to schooling shows where there were plenty of people in things like neat white square pads, polo shirt attire, etc. It really depends. I wouldn’t wear white breeches, just because they’re a PITA to keep clean.

Non-leather boots are fine for eq–I use Eskadrons–but if you don’t need them and classes are close together, it’s probably easier to skip them rather than dealing with dismounting to put them on/take them off. And it keeps you from forgetting they’re on for a hunter trip.

[173north]

@Eclipsed

Not worried about bit/martingale in the slightest, I’m lucky enough to be able to ride him xc and in an arena in just a loose ring w/o martingale. Any idea if brown boots are legal in either? I couldn’t find anything about them, but it might just be because I don’t have my glasses on me and skipped over them.
Edit: asking about boots because I’ve met some diehard hunter/eq people who only ride in black boots, to them it seem brown boots are a sin and some of them were judges, so

The hunter rule book specifies “Conventional attire following the tradition of fox hunting is encouraged and preferred. It is further recommended that the rider’s attire does not distract from the performance of the horse and rider. Judges shall not eliminate a rider for inappropriate attire except for safety.”

Brown boots are actually quite traditional in the hunt field in autumn and you cannot get eliminated for brown boots, so I’d just make sure they are nicely polished. Black is definitely most common but I have seen folks in the hunters in brown - there was a junior rider at WEF years ago before brown became trendy who showed in a brown helmet and boots (possibly a brown coat, too, it was very chic). You will really never see brown boots in the eq but there’s no rule against it that I can find.

Might be best to just shoot the show office an email. Can also be useful to look up old photos from the same show series if the photographer posts proofs to get a general sense of how formal/relaxed things are.

[FAW]

Schooling shows are not rated. Just wear breeches, tall boots, sweater or polo shirt since its a jumper class

[FAW]

Schooling shows are for mileage or rider experience. No braiding. Pretty laid back. Have fun

[blondewithchrome]

@FAW

Schooling shows are not rated. Just wear breeches, tall boots, sweater or polo shirt since its a jumper class

totally agree on jumper classes. Looking neat and tidy is all that matters.

but - as others have said, many local shows defer to USEF rules, so even as a schooling show, you can be disqualified for using an illegal bit in the hunters(nonconvetional is a totally different question entirely). I have been at a VERY small show where the judge made a long stirrup kid swap out a hackamore…we’re talking walk trot, two kids in the class, not even for “local” show series points small kind of show! Fortunately a loose ring, while not something that’s en Vogue in the hunters, isnt illegal!

op - on the hair issue, if your helmet doesn’t fit with your hair up, do a small bun at the base of your neck. So long as it’s out of the way, you’ll be fine. Safety should be most important!

[Lucassb]

I did not see anyone answer your question about circling - but in a hunter or eq round (unless in a handy hunter class) it is traditional to do both an opening and closing circle. If your horse is a good mover, the opening circle is a nice chance to show off a pretty trot and demonstrate how smoothly your horse picks up the canter, plus it gives you a bit of time to establish a nice forward rhythm before you head down to the first jump. (Conversely if your horse does not have a great trot, you can walk through the in gate, and smoothly pick up a canter - by the way you must WALK through the in gate; do not enter at a trot.) Likewise after finishing your round, you make a smooth transition back to the trot (or walk) by circling so you can again walk back out through the gate while patting your nice horse and enjoying the applause for your round :>

Also - just in case - when you look at the course diagrams for your classes, if you see a dotted line, it is there to indicate the area that is permitted for those circles. Don’t cross it, or you can be eliminated!

FWIW, forward flap saddles are not uncommon in H/J land. I am a bit surprised that you could not find a fitted pad. Although everyone here is correct that most schooling shows are more relaxed about turnout, a square pad is pretty unusual for a hunter. I have a bunch of Wilkers pads just sitting around, if you want me to send you one I’d be happy to!

[crookedpainting]

@Lucassb

I did not see anyone answer your question about circling - but in a hunter or eq round (unless in a handy hunter class) it is traditional to do both an opening and closing circle. If your horse is a good mover, the opening circle is a nice chance to show off a pretty trot and demonstrate how smoothly your horse picks up the canter, plus it gives you a bit of time to establish a nice forward rhythm before you head down to the first jump. (Conversely if your horse does not have a great trot, you can walk through the in gate, and smoothly pick up a canter - by the way you must WALK through the in gate; do not enter at a trot.) Likewise after finishing your round, you make a smooth transition back to the trot (or walk) by circling so you can again walk back out through the gate while patting your nice horse and enjoying the applause for your round :>

Oh, interesting! I’ve never been told to do 2 circles, but then again I’m not a hunter/eq person :lol: About the opening circle specifically, I know it depends on judge’s preference and the rider, but are trot-canter or walk-canter transitions more common? I’m going to guess trot-canter, but idk.
As to walking out the gate, you’re judged until you leave the ring, right? I just want to know if it’s okay to go on the buckle and pat the pony, lol. A bit of a silly question too, but in flat classes you maintain contact/rein length when you’re doing the final line up, correct? After watching videos that seems the norm.
Another silly question, what’s a “handy hunter” round? I can’t find any clear definitions.
And thank you for the offer! I’m fine though, seeing as it’s just one show I have to decline but thank you!

[crookedpainting]

@blondewithchrome

op - on the hair issue, if your helmet doesn’t fit with your hair up, do a small bun at the base of your neck. So long as it’s out of the way, you’ll be fine. Safety should be most important!

See, that’s a problem, lol. I have enough hair that it can be put in a ponytail, but a bun only contains the longest hairs, the shorter ones come out and poke in every direction. If I used my hairnet as a bun-net might that work? If worst comes to worst I can tuck my ponytail down into my shirt collar, or get someone to French-braid it and hope the judge doesn’t hate me.

[Lucassb]

@Eclipsed

Oh, interesting! I’ve never been told to do 2 circles, but then again I’m not a hunter/eq person :lol: About the opening circle specifically, I know it depends on judge’s preference and the rider, but are trot-canter or walk-canter transitions more common? I’m going to guess trot-canter, but idk.
As to walking out the gate, you’re judged until you leave the ring, right? I just want to know if it’s okay to go on the buckle and pat the pony, lol. A bit of a silly question too, but in flat classes you maintain contact/rein length when you’re doing the final line up, correct? After watching videos that seems the norm.
Another silly question, what’s a “handy hunter” round? I can’t find any clear definitions.
And thank you for the offer! I’m fine though, seeing as it’s just one show I have to decline but thank you!

Yep, opening and closing circles are generally expected, but make them tidy, you don’t want to do a lap of the arena or anything like that, LOL. Walk-canter transitions perhaps imply the horse has a not so awesome trot, and trot-canter transitions are more common but either one is perfectly acceptable. You are judged til you leave the ring but it is typical to walk out on a long rein following a hunter round (NOT eq) to show the horse’s manners. In flat classes once you are lined up the class is essentially over, so as long as your horse stands quietly and is not disruptive the rein length is at your discretion.

A handy hunter class can be a lot of fun. They are designed to show a bit more of what you might find in the hunting field - there will often be a trot jump, or an opportunity to show a hand gallop to a single, and that sort of thing. Check out https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/training/use-handy-hunter-skills-to-improve-his-rideability-11540 for a bit more detail. In a handy class, you’d usually canter directly to the first jump once you entered the arena.

Oh and again for a schooling show, it likely doesn’t matter but hunters are rarely shown in a loose ring. To be clear, there is no penalty for it - it’s just not typical. So if you happen to have a dee ring laying around with the same mouthpiece, and you want to dress for the party so to speak, you could use that. Have fun!

[crookedpainting]

@Lucassb

Yep, opening and closing circles are generally expected, but make them tidy, you don’t want to do a lap of the arena or anything like that, LOL. Walk-canter transitions perhaps imply the horse has a not so awesome trot, and trot-canter transitions are more common but either one is perfectly acceptable. You are judged til you leave the ring but it is typical to walk out on a long rein following a hunter round (NOT eq) to show the horse’s manners. In flat classes once you are lined up the class is essentially over, so as long as your horse stands quietly and is not disruptive the rein length is at your discretion.

A handy hunter class can be a lot of fun. They are designed to show a bit more of what you might find in the hunting field - there will often be a trot jump, or an opportunity to show a hand gallop to a single, and that sort of thing. Check out https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/training/use-handy-hunter-skills-to-improve-his-rideability-11540 for a bit more detail. In a handy class, you’d usually canter directly to the first jump once you entered the arena.

Oh and again for a schooling show, it likely doesn’t matter but hunters are rarely shown in a loose ring. To be clear, there is no penalty for it - it’s just not typical. So if you happen to have a dee ring laying around with the same mouthpiece, and you want to dress for the party so to speak, you could use that. Have fun!

So interesting! If you don’t mind me asking, why not walk out on a loose rein in Eq? Of the rounds I’ve seen posted on YouTube (some from rated shows, even) lots of the riders walk out on a loose rein. Obviously not the buckle, but they clearly relax their position and there’s slack in the reins.

I don’t have an extra D ring around, the only one I ever owned was 6" which I had to really look for, due to my past horse being a huge draft x tb cross. It’d be hanging out of pony’s mouth lol. It’s also single jointed, because my previous horse also would only go in them, for some reason. And of course my current one objects to anything but a lozenge piece.

I think we’ll stick with trot-canter transitions, the only times we’ve ever done walk-canter have been on accident and ended with me in the first and him on the opposite end of the arena Besides, it’s the 2’ hunters/eq, not a Maclay or whatever.

I should probably know the answer to this, but half-seat the canter or full-seat it? We can both do either, just wondering. I’ve noticed in Hunters half-seat is a lot more common, whereas in Eq it seems people full-seat more.

[Janet]

Just put your hair in a ponytail, and put a (or a couple of) hairnet(s)over the ponytail.

[Lucassb]

@Eclipsed

So interesting! If you don’t mind me asking, why not walk out on a loose rein in Eq? Of the rounds I’ve seen posted on YouTube (some from rated shows, even) lots of the riders walk out on a loose rein. Obviously not the buckle, but they clearly relax their position and there’s slack in the reins.

I don’t have an extra D ring around, the only one I ever owned was 6" which I had to really look for, due to my past horse being a huge draft x tb cross. It’d be hanging out of pony’s mouth lol. It’s also single jointed, because my previous horse also would only go in them, for some reason. And of course my current one objects to anything but a lozenge piece.

I think we’ll stick with trot-canter transitions, the only times we’ve ever done walk-canter have been on accident and ended with me in the first and him on the opposite end of the arena Besides, it’s the 2’ hunters/eq, not a Maclay or whatever.

I should probably know the answer to this, but half-seat the canter or full-seat it? We can both do either, just wondering. I’ve noticed in Hunters half-seat is a lot more common, whereas in Eq it seems people full-seat more.

In the equitation it is considered more appropriate to keep a normal contact and not go to the buckle as you might on a hunter; that doesn’t mean you need a lot of tension in the contact but you want to “maintain your position,” so to speak. Equitation is judged on the rider so position so that is the focus; hunters are judged on the horse and part of the “picture” you want to create is of a horse that is pleasant and mannerly to ride, so showing the horse walking off calmly on a loose rein can be part of that. A lot of hunter riders will use a half seat in the canter but typically more of a full seat is common in the eq.