Has anyone ever ridden in the Show in the Woods in Aiken’s Hitchcock Woods? My young horse was just qualified for the hunt horse division (have to hunt 6 times) and I’m very interested in taking him. I’m curious as to how the hunt horse “day” is judged versus the regular show hunters and how he should be turned out (must his tail be braided, etc.). Thanks!
I haven’t shown, but I’ve been as a spectator/helper the last two years. If you go to Shawn McMillen’s web site you can see pictures from at least the last two years of the show. I do think most people had tails braided.
In 2010, the the foxhunter classes had to take the higher option on all the fences. There is a handy round, which had a gate last year and always includes a bank. Last year’s judge was from England.
For the team class, some teams form kind of at the last minute and a friend ended up riding in a team with people she didn’t really know well. They won the class and she ended up winning the winner’s stake!
The hunt horses are judged just like a regular show hunter, i.e., rhythmical way of going, flat movement, good jump, lead changes, etc. There is more emphasis on a forward, brilliant ride, but the horse should still go around like a hunter.
They should be braided like a show hunter (manes & tails).
