USEF Hunter Breeding Classes - Experiences?

[Direqtory]

Hello! I’ve been lurking this community for years but finally have a question. After many years in the APHA circuit, I’m moving back to the hunter/jumper world with my yearling. Instead of going the APHA show route (lunge line classes and in-hand train), I’m looking into showing her in the Hunter Breeding classes. There isn’t much information online or videos of the classes, but the gist I’m getting is that it’s similar to a halter class but instead with bridles and a much more active trot.

Other than just hearing experiences and expectations, what is the dress code like? Is it very strict and traditional english attire, or can you wear things like brighter shirts under your coat? Can you get away with a tasteful crystal or pearl headband on the bridle or does it need to be traditional as well?

Thank you so much in advance!

[RxCate]

Hunters are VERY traditional so no bling, like AQHA/APHA.

The men I normally see in Navy blazers/khakis. Women could most likely go in riding attire, or conservative dress pants/blazer or nice blouse.

[Anne]

[QUOTE=Direqtory;8909277]
similar to a halter class but instead with bridles and a much more active trot.

Other than just hearing experiences and expectations, what is the dress code like? Is it very strict and traditional english attire, or can you wear things like brighter shirts under your coat? Can you get away with a tasteful crystal or pearl headband on the bridle or does it need to be traditional as well?[/QUOTE]

Many of the hunter breeding jogs are not “active”. You want the horse to stretch his neck down and trot long and low. If they’re too fast they tend to pick up their heads and look more choppy.

You can certainly show in the hunter breeding in show clothes, but most people don’t do this. On a man, khaki pants and a navy blazer with shirt and tie are common, with a baseball cap. Maybe a suit at Devon/Upperville/Sallie Wheeler but even then it’s not necessary. A woman can either dress as above (no neck tie) or in dress pants and a blouse.

NO BLING on the bridle, please!

[Direqtory]

Thank you

[QUOTE=Anne;8909491]
Many of the hunter breeding jogs are not “active”. You want the horse to stretch his neck down and trot long and low. If they’re too fast they tend to pick up their heads and look more choppy.

You can certainly show in the hunter breeding in show clothes, but most people don’t do this. On a man, khaki pants and a navy blazer with shirt and tie are common, with a baseball cap. Maybe a suit at Devon/Upperville/Sallie Wheeler but even then it’s not necessary. A woman can either dress as above (no neck tie) or in dress pants and a blouse.

NO BLING on the bridle, please![/QUOTE]

Thank you for your response. Luckily she has quite a bit of showmanship training and is very good at being long and low, though from the limited videos I’ve seen they seem to encourage the horse to be a little more engaged at the trot than I know you see in the stock horse ring, which is why I asked. I also really appreciate the tips on dress code- I’ll leave the rhinestones for the jumper ring in a few years

[raisethebar]

Engagement - yes!!! You want to show off their trot and stride. Long sweeping motions in the handler at the trot will help your horse as horses tend to mimic.

Also, look up some handlers (Facebook) and notice how they set their horses up to stand. There is a reason why these people get paid pretty good money to do this (besides the fun part of hanging on to bucking and carrying on babies! yippee!)… they are able to position their horses in certain ways to emphasize or hide certain things.

I showed my WB in the yearling, two year old and the under saddle at Devon as a 4 year old. We skipped the 3 year old year, which was probably his best year to be judged in-hand only but we were in Kentucky that year.

I found that most of the people were very nice and friendly. Most were very helpful as well. I would try to go to some shows and watch before bringing yours to show and you might have most of your questions answered there.

Dress business professional, don’t draw attention away from your horse. You’re there to show it off, not yourself. Depending on your location, east coast vs west coast, you’ll find varying types of people showing up as your competition.

Let me know if you have any other questions. My horse is 5 and I truly feel like he is so easy due to his exposure in the show world early on. He only did 4 shows as a yearling, 2 as a 2 year old and then we only took him to Devon as a 4 year old. He is still just as easy as he is at home as he is at shows now. Now, he goes nicely around a 2’6 baby green course in great company. I’m very proud. The HB world (when done correctly, not pushed, and moderately) can be very good for young ones.

[Direqtory]

You are wonderful! Thank you so much!

[Championship]

You are getting good answers here. I have done this for 40 years. Keep in mind that the Hunter Breeding is different than the QH hunters and if your horse looks too QH y he will be penalized for it against the warmbloods and the thoroughbreds. But that should not totally discourage you.
Another thing is we do not set up or “stack” our horses so you can not go about moving legs into position in the Hunter Breeding. And you do want as forward and as much trot as you can get out of your horse. Absolutely no bling on the tack or sparkles on the feet! As many tight braids as you can squeeze into the mane and the tail needs to be braided as well.
Bit should be a snaffle or D ring.
Quiet dress, sensible and safe are important. No fancy hats, blingy clothing.
If you have any other questions feel free to pm me.
Good Luck!

[Dutchmare433]

Don’t yearlings show in a halter? And 2 y/os and up show in a bridle?

My youngster did DSHB in hand as a foal and a 2 y/o, and it sure did get him used to going places and hanging out. Now he’s very mellow about the whole deal. I went with absolutely zero expectations, just that he would get good experience. (And was pleasantly surprised when he was Grand Champion once.) I think that’s a pretty good way to go about it, unless you have a really top quality horse and are willing to send it off for a few months of training before the shows.

[Championship]

No all Hunter Breeding Yearlings, Two year Olds and Three Year olds show in Bridles! Foals show in Halters but they are not at most shows and they are not eligible for year end or championships in the hunter breeding. However there are Futurity classes that are not USEF where they can show.
But Bridles and bits for Yearlings, 2 and 3 year olds.

[JWB]

I’d also love some more info on the hunter breeding classes. I have an (IMHO) attractive weanling that I’d love a venue to show in. I’m planning on taking him to the Future Event Horse class in April, and the YHS too, but that’s about it for young horse venues around here, unless I venture out into other venues.

Wondering if he’d even get a look. His bloodlines are very hunter and hes a nice looking boy, but he is a pinto, and I don’t know how that would be received.
For sure, if I pursued this route, I’d put a pro handler on him.
https://scontent.ftpa1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14444786_10154020223383182_4848348145401350971_o.jpg

[Raine]

Found this video from Upperville:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEO6hZ4eFZY

I did some HB classes with my now-jumper mare 12 years ago and it was a great experience. She got a wonderful education and has always been so good at shows from an early age because of it. So worthwhile from that standpoint even if your youngster is not the class winner. I just did it for the miles.

[SnicklefritzG]

I haven’t done the hunter breeding classes either, but I’m looking into it as well.

I have been to some of the shows in VA (like Warrenton) and most of the handlers were in a suit jacket, tie and nice slacks. This is a nice article about Junior Johnson, one of the best in the business (pro handler).
http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/junior-johnson-still-moving-forward

There is a picture of him that shows what is typically for big shows like Devon.

[RugBug]

[QUOTE=JWB;8917093]
Wondering if he’d even get a look. His bloodlines are very hunter and hes a nice looking boy, but he is a pinto, and I don’t know how that would be received.
For sure, if I pursued this route, I’d put a pro handler on him.
https://scontent.ftpa1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14444786_10154020223383182_4848348145401350971_o.jpg[/QUOTE] I took a 2 year old pinto WB to a hunter breeding class. I had no idea what I was doing but I wasn’t there to win, just for exposure for him. I did a number of things wrong (trotted with two hands on the reins…I didn’t want him to play or run me over :lol:…and it encourages them to raise their head) but we got a second and a third. HB isn’t big in CA so it can be very difficult to find a show that offers any classes. Again, I wasn’t doing it for results, but for exposure and it definitely served that purpose. Plus, he looked all fancy braided

Horses are expected to stand correctly, and in the video posted, you can see the handlers setting them up. Check some HB pictures out for the desired stance and work with your horse on it.

[Direqtory]

[QUOTE=Championship;8911587]
You are getting good answers here. I have done this for 40 years. Keep in mind that the Hunter Breeding is different than the QH hunters and if your horse looks too QH y he will be penalized for it against the warmbloods and the thoroughbreds. But that should not totally discourage you.
Another thing is we do not set up or “stack” our horses so you can not go about moving legs into position in the Hunter Breeding. And you do want as forward and as much trot as you can get out of your horse. Absolutely no bling on the tack or sparkles on the feet! As many tight braids as you can squeeze into the mane and the tail needs to be braided as well.
Bit should be a snaffle or D ring.
Quiet dress, sensible and safe are important. No fancy hats, blingy clothing.
If you have any other questions feel free to pm me.
Good Luck![/QUOTE]

I really appreciate all your advice. Luckily mine isn’t built at all like a quarter horse and really took after her mother, a very tall sporty thoroughbred. We’ve worked mostly on showmanship (which differs from Halter classes, which I think is what you’re referring to in your post) in that you don’t get to walk around them and pick up feet and move them. We’ve got the big trot down pretty good, and I’ll make sure to turn her out very classic. Again, thank you!