This.
You haven’t said anything to explain why the show discipline is still called “hunters.”
That is what I don’t get.
They are not out hunting. They are jumping painted poles in a ring.
Why did you put “lesser achievements” in quotes? Are you quoting a post?
This thread sure has taken some interesting tangents 
I’ve held off chiming in because I honestly think this is something anyone who persists in H/J participation in any capacity has to sort through eventually. We are all coming from some point of privilege to be involved with horses, period. Yes, those levels of privilege can vary greatly, and it’s part of developing a life perspective that horses bring to the forefront.
Someone mentioned upthread that it is very difficult to do with a standard W-2 situation (maybe I misinterpreted - my apologies). There is a ring of truth to this. I am in a DINK household, both entering mid-senior career levels, both comfortably into the six figures. We are fortunate to have an element of generational wealth that has in part realized already and that we do anticipate will benefit us in the future. I still don’t show rated Could I afford it, on paper, yes. I don’t find a huge value in it compared to other competitive options, my journey with horses, and the other goals/objectives I have in life.
I would love to see some actual amateur data, because we are all coming at this from a different perspective. I’m not sure I buy the “amateurs have one horse” comment, when you look at show entries as see multiple listed per owner or different horses by week. I do encourage those who are interested to review the membership profile for USEF found here: us-equestrian-media-kit.pdf (menlosecurity.com)
It states the following, which does not break down the prof/ammy segmentation:
MEMBER PROFILE
• 85% Female
• 66% have a college degree
• Average income of $185,000
• Average net worth of $955,000
• Own an average of four horses
• Compete at least six times per year
• Average home value is $600,000
• 22% own two or more homes
• Own three vehicles
• 40% own a farm; 66% of those are 10 acres or more
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Honestly, why does everyone care so much what other people do? The pearl clutching about the purity of the sport and yadda yadda is really boring.
You want to hunt your horse, go hunt your horse. You don’t care and want to jump 8 fences in a ring? you do you. Want to go ride in a parade in a wonder woman outfit? awesome!
And what does any of this have to do with someone who does want to jump 8 fences in a ring and can’t find the funds to do so despite earning a good living?
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You’re missing my point.
I have no problem with people who want to jump painted poles in a ring at a show.
What I do have a problem with is trying to understand why they call their discipline “hunters.”
They’re calling doing that being a “hunter.”
Yes, it’s a big of a tangent now.
But that’s a COTH tradition. 
Seriously. Go take a walk. You clearly need some time outside or social interaction of some kind.
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Like any sport, it has evolved, but the basic premise is the same. It’s the hunters because it’s judged on criteria that make a good field hunter. Like hound shows are judged on conformation and movement. You don’t demonstrate the hunting ability of the horse or the hound in the show ring, but they are meant to depict the ideal standard.
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Why not? Why has that changed? If a horse has no hunting ability, why call him a hunter?
Traditionally, hunter shows judged hunters (horses) on their suitability for hunting. Conformation, way of going, etc.
When the rules were changed, and the courses and the classes, the name should have been changed as well.
It is still judged on suitability for hunting. Whether or not the horses actually hunt is now immaterial, since most people do not have hunts available to them anymore and there is not enough land for shows to offer those outside courses. But the judging is based on a standard horse with a ground covering even, long stride that does not have to be noticeably rated, smooth flat movement that will be comfortable all day, and a round jump that will account for both the takeoff and landing conditions without touching the obstacle and leaving plenty of room for any surprises. Horse has to be polite in company in the hack class, look beautiful, and change leads smoothly (because who the hell wants to run into a tree?).
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Well, they’re calling them “hunters”, not “FOXhunters.” My mind can easily discern the difference, as it can when a class is called “jumpers.”
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You are not sad and confused. You are bored and keen to get some attention on COTH over your petty grievances.
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Is it time for a first good post pandemic train wreck after 2 years?
Why are Siamese Cats still called Siamese? Why is Eventing still called that with 2 and even 1 day shows and no long format? Why is Almond Milk called milk ? Why are NASCAR racers still called “stock” cars when they aren’t? Who cares?
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I am so confused about Western Pleasure classes being held east of the Mississippi. #Sad
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Should reining be called Spinning?
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Things evolve. Modern rodeo is hardly a test of ranch skills. Rope like that on a ranch and you’d be fired immediately. Our dressage shads were traditionally lined in leather to protect our tails from sweat (and rain - since indoor dressage competitions were prohibited). We still salute the judge although we are not lifting the visor on our war helmets. (Likewise I rarely see a salute showing the judge their open palm).
A typical 1960’s hunter course (when show hunters often foxhunted) had no diagonals. THAT was ridiculous.
FWIW, one of the first WB hunters to really change the rhythm and look was the magnificent Ruxton, who Ellie did actually fox hunt when she had him at Sweet Briar.
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I have a curiosity question about hunters in the show ring. Why do they always look uncomfortable on their landings after fences. They pitch down and almost look like they are going to stumble and they throw the rider forward. Is this the result of the lack of real connection ‘over’ the fence a sacrifice for that look?
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The hunter is supposed to finish the entire arc of the jump evenly, and maintain the same canter, so landing downward and reaching forward into its first stride, instead of coming upward and collecting upon landing like a jumper. To keep up with the field and possibly clear any surprise ditch or drop behind the jump. The shape stays the same because you don’t change the canter to rock back on the hocks for scope. They have to jump out of stride with whatever scope god gave them, which means basically you need a lot more scope for a smaller jump (part of why it’s easier and less expensive to find a 3’6” jumper than a 3’6” hunter, and a 4’ hunter is a scopey beast). Since you don’t want the horse to come up and shorten the rider has to stay down and forward to stay with it and encourage it to stay down.
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Or Sliding?
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