Tips for newbie to Hunter Shows

[BatataHead]

Hi all,

I’m an eventer (low-level), but I think my current horse might make a nice hunter. He’s a solidly built OTTB with a lot of presence. He’s green and started over jumps a few months ago. He pops around in steady rhythm and with good form and honestly just kind of strikes me as a nice hunter rather than a fearless eventer (he’s obedient, but not a bold horse). When I get up into cruising position/two point he kind of just ticks along nicely on autopilot, trot or canter, with a cute expression on his face.

I’m thinking of trying some local schooling hunter shows. I’ve read a little bit and I think I understand the format and tack/dress requirements, and which division to enter.

Any show ring tips on how I should ride a hunter round, as a person coming from eventing, and who has an eventing coach and no hunter coach? I have noticed that a hunter round is ridden less defensively (in regards to rider position). I usually sit right to the jump, but I think most hunter riders stay up in two point.

Thanks!

[Night_Flight]

It should essentially look like the horse is getting to the jumps on its own. Your ride should be practically invisible however you choose to ride it. Most will two point but some can sit the canter and keep it looking smooth and easy.

Keep your rhythm and stride length consistent; no sudden changes to get your distance to the jump or to make it down the line. Flying change if you don’t land the lead, use your corners and show off your horse’s self-carriage if you can.

Watch videos of top hunters (search for Devon, Hunter Spectacular, Hunter Prix, derby finals, etc.) to see how they do it, and don’t forget to practice how you’ll ride the under saddle class as well.

[BatataHead]

Thanks, Night Flight! I didn’t even think of lead changes… He does not have his changes yet but is pretty good about landing on the requested lead. What’s best if you miss lead - continuing on, or a few trot steps to change?

Will begin practicing becoming a beautifully quiet rider

[VelvetsAB]

Hopefully a judge will chime in about which is more correct for lead changes. IMO feel like it is better to do a simple change, over continuing on with the wrong lead. If a missed lead happens to me, I correct it in the first corner, so that I can set myself up properly for the next line.

Use your warm up round wisely. Watch the other riders go ahead of you. Definitely use your corners.

Think of having a meter-stick canter. Always the same stride, the whole round.

[Release_First]

For showing purposes, breaking to a trot is a major error. For schooling purposes, it is better to trot and change the lead. Since it is a schooling show read the premium carefully because some classes for green horses may allow you to trot the change. Most importantly - HAVE FUN!

[roamingnome]

When you enter the ring, make a large circle at the end of the ring to walk, trot then canter, or walk trot walk canter to get your pace. Or walk canter, but please show the trot on your closing circle (as judges may think you’re trying to hide a mild lameness if you only walk and canter).

At a schooling show, I would do a trot change, as you’re there to school! But I believe the guidelines for a trot change (or break to trot) is a score of 45, whereas a missed change is a 55. But again, looking long term, I would do the trot change

[Backstage]

[QUOTE=VelvetsAB;8393590]
Hopefully a judge will chime in about which is more correct for lead changes. IMO feel like it is better to do a simple change, over continuing on with the wrong lead. If a missed lead happens to me, I correct it in the first corner, so that I can set myself up properly for the next line.

Use your warm up round wisely. Watch the other riders go ahead of you. Definitely use your corners.

Think of having a meter-stick canter. Always the same stride, the whole round.[/QUOTE]

I’m just a former eventer who is currently playing in the hunter world, but my understanding is that you don’t want to break rhythm, so would continue on the same (wrong) lead versus break and do a simple change. That being said - I think the more sensible approach after a failed attempt at a lead change is to pick the approach that will better school your horse for next time. That may involve a break in gait.

I don’t have much in terms of advice, but it is definitely tough at times to make the transition. You’ll become much more conscious of your distances as the range of acceptability to be competitive is much narrower than in a SJ or XC round. Keeping the rails up doesn’t count for much in the hunter ring - its not even the bare minimum, really! I’ve had to lengthen my eye a bit, as I have always had a tendency to hold and take the deeper distance rather than ride to the more forward one. Obviously you don’t want flyers, though!

Make big sweeping turns and use the corners for any adjustments. You want to deal with any issues there, and then let you horse flow down the line. Easier said than done, of course!

And I definitely don’t have any advice on becoming a “beautifully quiet rider”. I’m not sure that will ever be in the cards for me!

[Blondie22]

I think it’s better to do a simple change than continue on the wrong lead. You’ll be penalized for breaking stride, but you’re not going to pin going to a fence on the wrong lead either.

You definitely want it to look like that you are doing as little “work” as possible. Keep the same rhythm, use the whole ring/corners and don’t be in a rush to get to the jumps. Horse should appear to be enjoying his job and easy to ride.

ETA - using a simple snaffle bit (preferably D ring or full cheek) will complete the look. I would use a standing martingale as well and did for years, even when it wasn’t really needed.

[Saskatoonian]

No tips for the round itself, but as an eventer who’s dabbled in some local hunter shows, I’d suggest scoping out the warmup well in advance. It was a bit of a shock to me the first time, with no set direction for jumping and a system of coaches that didn’t really make sense to me.

[VelvetsAB]

@Backstage;8394361

I’m just a former eventer who is currently playing in the hunter world, but my understanding is that you don’t want to break rhythm, so would continue on the same (wrong) lead versus break and do a simple change. That being said - I think the more sensible approach after a failed attempt at a lead change is to pick the approach that will better school your horse for next time. That may involve a break in gait. [/QUOTE]

To clarify, I ask for the lead change in the corner if I miss it over fence, on a horse that 100% can do lead changes.

If I was on a horse who isn’t 100% on his leads, like OP’s, I would definitely over exaggerate the leg over the last fence in the line, turn my shoulders the way I want to go, and possibly open my inside rein. If Dobbin still didn’t get the lead, I would then choose to do a simple change, instead of trying to “fight” to get the correct lead all the way to the next fence. By doing the simple change, you have more time to get your rhythm back.

[QUOTE=Blondie22;8394426]I think it’s better to do a simple change than continue on the wrong lead. You’ll be penalized for breaking stride, but you’re not going to pin going to a fence on the wrong lead either.

^^This.

[gottagrey]

[QUOTE=roamingnome;8393845]
When you enter the ring, make a large circle at the end of the ring to walk, trot then canter, or walk trot walk canter to get your pace. Or walk canter, but please show the trot on your closing circle (as judges may think you’re trying to hide a mild lameness if you only walk and canter).

At a schooling show, I would do a trot change, as you’re there to school! But I believe the guidelines for a trot change (or break to trot) is a score of 45, whereas a missed change is a 55. But again, looking long term, I would do the trot change :)[/QUOTE]

Generally yes, but depends on where the first jump is. If it’s down at the other end of the ring a hunter circle upon entry isn’t necessary…

[BatataHead]

Sorry to respond so late - had a little emergency side line me for a week - just wanted to say thanks for all the fabulous responses and the different approaches/theories on things! A lot of really useful input. And I would never have thought of being sure to show the trot so the judge doesn’t think you’re hiding lameness - but makes so much sense.

Can’t wait to get out there with my guy, work on our leads, and have some fun! A good excuse to go shopping for some show stuff, too

[Dewey]

Have fun and be sure to tell us how it goes! And post of picture of you in your hunter duds. :winkgrin:

[hunterrider23]

It also depends on the schooling show! At rated shows you want to continue on the wrong lead or at least try and get half a lead change, but some schooling shows expect a number of competitors to trot the change. Maybe ask a local trainer that takes people to those shows. At my local schooling shows, trotting the change cleanly and neatly means you can still place, just because they know a good amount of the people showing (even in the 2’6") are on school horses that might not necessarily have a lead change. Back when I was a beginner, I won many a 2’3" class with simple changes. The emphasis was first on a good round, suitability and safety, and then on the fanciness of whatever schooling horse got pulled out of the field. I’m pretty sure in some classes on another horse we did the add step with a lead change but because the horse was a hony and we did the add consistently in every line, we were champion or reserve every time. And that’s not an exaggeration. She was a paint that moved like a cow, but she was a safe and saintly cow.
So I would maybe go watch one of those shows or talk to a local trainer that does them to see what’s expected. Plus you want to know if it’s so casual that people are wearing neat polos and half chaps or if they wear a full show coat and tall boots and if people are braiding.

[kelsey97]

I wouldn’t continue on the wrong lead, do simple changes: this will make a better horse. The key to a wonderful hunter is a consistent rhythm, don’t get too stressed over how you’re siting in the tack, ride the rhythm

[Daventry]

[QUOTE=Release First;8393614]
For showing purposes, breaking to a trot is a major error. For schooling purposes, it is better to trot and change the lead. Since it is a schooling show read the premium carefully because some classes for green horses may allow you to trot the change. Most importantly - HAVE FUN![/QUOTE]

Agreed! Dropping down to do a simple lead change on course will often get you an automatic score of 55%. That being said, as Release First pointed out, you may be able to enter some classes at a show, designed for green horses, in which simple changes are allowed.

Even though breaking gait/simple changes are a big no no in the hunter ring, if I have a youngster at a show that is just starting out and hasn’t mastered their lead changes yet, I always, always drop down to get the simple lead change rather than allowing them to continue around course on the wrong lead. I don’t worry about the score or the ribbons and concentrate on teaching my green hunter to become a future stellar hunter!

[RPM]

Can you go to at least one local schooling show as a spectator/groom to watch and see what other people do (leads, etc.)?

[mroades]

Trotting a change is an automatic 55 give or take a few points for other considerations. Cross cantering or continuing on the counter lead is in the general area of a 65.

[Lucassb]

Other tips for hunters -

Plain, fitted white fleece pads are the norm; no square pads. No (horse) boots or bell boots are permitted. The “go-to” bit is a dee ring snaffle with a plain cavesson - no figure 8s. Once in a while you will see a horse wearing a breastplate, but they are not common. Lots of horses wear a (standing) martingale whether they are needed or not.

For the rider, quiet, conservative clothes are best. A dark coat, tan breeches, light colored shirt and polished boots are expected. No stock! (Probably seems very boring for an eventer, LOL.) You might want to check out your local schooling series to see if people braid or not - many these days do not, but it makes for prettier photos if you do

As my old trainer used to say, “you paid for the WHOLE ring during your round, so USE it!” Go deep into your corners, take the time to shape them and get a nice straight horse coming out of them into the next line. Keep your aids quiet and invisible; a little quiet voice aid is fine and often makes for a softer picture. You want to show a hunter on a nice, balanced open stride that allows for a good bascule over each fence; this often means jumping from a bit more of a gap than you might in a showjumping or cross country effort. You want a very soft contact with the horse’s mouth and a light, balanced seat that allows your horse to appear to be moving forward of its own accord.

Remember that keeping a steady pace and remaining calm and patient will help create a consistent feel to your rounds. If you watch the really good pros, you will notice that they don’t actually find perfect distances 100% of the time, but they make each one look the same because they stay in balance on a metronome like canter - so the impression is one of smoothness.

Have fun!

[Lexie55]

One piece of advice my trainer (when I was a teenager) gave a new customer coming from eventing: The lower level classes are about the lines. Ride straight down to the rail after your line, and don’t come off the rail until both jumps in the next line are lined up (more important for diagonals than outside lines, in practice).

It works for me, because I get terribly nervous on course - and staying calm and out there on the rail keeps me from getting discombobulated and messing up how straight I get down the lines.

Was anyone else ever taught to go from a walk to a canter, no trot steps, as a way to show how broke your horse was? Same trainer said walk until you stopped feeling nauseaous (nerves), go straight to a canter, and save the trot for the closing circle.