Tips for newbie to Hunter Shows

[Sueby]

[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.

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.[/QUOTE]

Continue on wrong lead vs. doing a simple change. You won’t place either way, but breaking stride isn’t a great option in the hunter ring.

[justaddleg]

Some tips-
The lighter and quieter the seat the better. It’s hard, super hard to go from being an aggressive eventer with a deep seat to a rider that looks like they’re floating over their horses back.

This is a bit repetitive, but keep everything minimalistic. No more tack than needed, braid on the right, stick to a black or navy coat, white shirt, field boots, standing martingale… you get the idea. The nice thing about transitioning to hunters is that you can ditch all the extra bits for different phases, the sj and cross boots, the pads, and a million bajillion other things.

I think it looks nice and clean to walk->canter with a clean transition in your entering circle, regardless of where the jump starts. In your finishing circle show off a nice flashy fancy trot.

As for the change, I would definitely go for the simple. It’ll ultimately look more balanced and at a schooling show that’s just to give hunters a try, who really cares? Definitely consult with trainers in your area and if you get the opportunity talk to judges for the shows as well.

[RugBug]

I think it’s funny that people debate which is worse: wrong lead or simple change. The fact of the matter is, if you win a ribbon doing either, the competition is not up to par or the class is really small. Any ribbon with either of those things is a gift…and any pride in performance should not be because of the color of the ribbon but something else (used all my corners, kept an even pace, followed the plan, etc). I guess I’m pretty hard on myself, but I think ribbons won while on the wrong lead, cross-cantering, or doing simple changes are gifts. :lol:

I always like to trot in my opening circle for two reasons: 1) my horse has an amazing trot. Her canter is also quite lovely. I want the judge to know that before I start. Doesn’t hurt to start with a good impressions. 2) She’s finicky and I can’t rely on a good walk-canter transition. I can get them, but I have to get her a bit riled up, so that is the exact opposite of what I want…cause she WILL maintain the energy through the rest of the course. Whoa becomes my favorite word. :winkgrin:

Honestly, a lot of hunters is figuring out what you need to do to show off the horse your riding to its best. There are certain “rules” but trying to do something just one way is limiting.

[Lord_Helpus]

In hunterland, to make things look smooth, all your work is done on the ends of the ring. The lines flow as a result of the corners, (as opposed to SJ or jumpers where you can change stride/distances as you head to the fence).

Assuming you do not have to worry about a change, your first job after landing from the line is to rebalance your horse. Heading into the corner you establish a rhythm. On the short side, you increase your rhythm so you are going 2mph faster than your “show ring lick”. Coming out of the corner you balance again, which brings you back to the rhythm you started with, and then you straighten, so you are heading to the next jump/line on 2 tracks, not on 3.

If you have done all that, you can flow down the lines without having to make big adjustments because you have already established your B (Balance) R (Rhythm) S (Straightness)

Truism: If you are lengthening going to a jump, your eye will see long. If you are shortening, your eye will see short. To allow your eye to work correctly you must be on your ‘correct’ stride (whatever that is for your horse).

Having done your homework you can sit like a princess (until you get to the next corner and have to start your BRS all over again. )

See how easy riding hunters is?

[Lord_Helpus]

PS: If you land on the wrong lead and your horse does not know how to change, so you head into the turn on the wrong lead or x-cantering, then you have already blown your chance for a ribbon, so do whatever is best to train your horse so you will have a better chance of getting the change next time.

[Sing_Mia_Song]

LHU has terrific advice. Follow it.

Now, I have sat with a LOT of judges, and simple change vs. wrong lead. Everyone universally agrees that a simple change is a break, but they’d rather see that than someone who tries and tries and tries to yank the change out around the turn, or someone who goes around the turn on the wrong lead in a strung out canter. Similarly, there are simple changes…and there’s trotting endlessly before picking up the new lead. I always prefer to do the simple change on a horse without changes, but try to do it as tightly as possible–1 to 3 steps is optimal.