First Working Hunter Class

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Elbie

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I'm thinking of doing my first working hunter next month but don't know all the ins and outs of it. I have a basic idea of what it entails!

Can anyone give me any hints/tips on what I can expect, what I should wear etc.

Ta!
 
I'm probably not the best as I only have experience in Natives WHP. Wear wise I would think its pretty similar - tweed jacket, beige jod, black boots. I have a jacket with a slight orange stripe, so I have a cream shirt, and orange tie. Hair net (until I had it all chopped recently) Leather gloves to blend in with outfit - mine are brown. I think a dash of colour in the tie looks nice.

Horse should be in plain brown tack. I have an ideal WHP saddle with suede seat/knees. Hunting breastplate/running martingale, snaffle bridle with wide flat noseband - welsh cob. oh and a brown stick. Laced reins for grip.

In my experience, you jump your round, and if you go clear, you go back in for an individual show. There can be two judges and you might go straight for jumping to flat in another ring, or if you are higher level the judge may ride (this doesn't happen with natives so not sure here)

if there are no clear rounds or only one then others with one down might go on.

Assume you know about individual shows? Jumps shoudl be done at a working pace, not show jumped.

Good luck, I love working hunters.
 
Thanks Brandy. That's made things a bit clearer!

I've done "normal" ridden show classes ie. colour classes, breed etc so have had to do individual ridden shows before.

We're in the 15.2hh+ and theres a under 15.2hh before so I can watch that first. Just wanted to be sure I knew what I was getting myself in to!
 
im thinking of doing my first workers class,
I would be on a 16.2 she has only ever showjumped but would love to have a go at WH with her,

What height are the jumps?
 
I would just say to make sure you gallop on in your show.

Nikkinoo - you should be able to look the jump heights up on the website of whatever organisation is running the class if its affiliated.
 
thanks brandy, would only be local riding club shows but the ones ive looked at dont have a height someone once told me it was 3'3 because of the height of my horse I would prefer to do a lower height as her first one though
 
Hence me doing the natives.........the PUK and BSPS websites will still give you heights to go by, and surely to god local level will not be as high or as 'built' as affiliated!
 
A few tips from me:

1. Make sure you 'flow' round your jumping round.Preferably in a nice canter. Horse shouldnt be rushing round or keep breaking. Judge is looking for horse to be clean and calm.

2. Manners! My little pony was never the most stylish jumper. But her manners were impecable! and there are marks for this.

3. Dont make your show too fancy.Its not a dressage test! Show all your horses paces on each rein. And if you can add in a bit of a gallop. I personally would leave this bit out if you dont have complete control. A gallop looks awful if the horse goes wild and takes half an hour to come back under control and finish.

4. If you need to use boots and martingale for the jumping round you can. But remove these before going back in for your show. I always brush down and clean any slobber etc before going back in so they look presentable again as judge will take a good look round the horse before you do your show.

Hope that helps

I love WH classes. Probs my favorite!

Hope you enjoy it! :)
 
nikkinoo said:
thanks brandy, would only be local riding club shows but the ones ive looked at dont have a height someone once told me it was 3'3 because of the height of my horse I would prefer to do a lower height as her first one though
Click to expand...

That sounds like the height for an open working hunter class but most riding clubs do a novice class which would be more like 2'6" to 2'9".
 
take your horses boots off after the jumping phase if you use them, but do not take your martingale off for the showing part, as this constitutes a change of tack and would mean elimination
 
Sorry for hi-jacking your post elbie, but i was about to put a similar one on so hope you dont mind me asking a few questions,

is a pelham with two sets of reins acceptable or a rugby pelham and would it need to have an extra headpiece to make it look like a double bridle?
 
Okay.. coming from me... lots of experience WH ponies, horses and cobs and a judge so hopefully will be of some help!!

Turnout wise you should wear the following:
Tweed Jacket
Beige Jodphurs
White Shirt
Smart Stock or Tie with Pin
No Jewellery
Hairnet
Short Whip (ideally a cane)
Lond Black Boots (or well matched jodphur boots and leather gaiters)
Spurs if required (but may get marked down at lower/ local levels)
Dark Coloured Gloves
Dark Coloured Riding Hat (or well fitting velvet over skull cap)

Your horse should be kitted out in the following:

Saddle (GP is fine but show and jumping saddles also acceptable)
No saddlecloth or Numnah (but if one is needed you can wear a dark numnah smaller than your saddle so it is discreet)
Snaffle or Double Bridle with any 'Normal' Bit (No coloured browbands and bridle should be chunkiness to suit the horse)
Plaited Mane and Tail (unplaited for natives)
Trimmed (untrimmed for natives)
Boots (need to be removed for ridden aspect- to be worn for jumping only)

Basic oversight of class and what goes on is as follows:

Entry to ring usually individually in numbered order to undertake a short course of natural, rustic fences at an agreed height- expect to find rustic fillers, stiles, water trays, spreads, doubles, pallets- jump simplicity depends on venue but usually quite simple jumps at low level. Normally 6-8 jumps.

After your round if you are clear you will be called back in for the ridden aspect. If you have minor faults but the horse goes well the judge may call you back in at their discretion or if the class is small but if not i am afraid that is usually the end of the class.

Ridden aspect will see all horses ridden together on both reins at walk, trot and canter. Then called into a line up in order of initial placing.

The individual show which should be very short but show trot and canter transitions on both reins and a good gallop/ extended canter round the back of the line up.

The all riders will be sent out into the ring again while the judge decides final placings. Called into final line up and presentation of prizes.

What is the judge looking for?

In the jumping section the judge will be looking for a clear round most importantly but the horses way of going should be forward going yet controllable with minimal interferance form the rider- she doesn't want to see someone clinging on for their lives, nor like they are on a sunday hack! The horse should have a good take off point from the jumps and have a nice bold approach to all fences.

In the ridden section the judge is looking for a horse that is well behaved at all paces in company, listens and responds quickly to the rider during transitions. Lots of transitions are good in your individual show but keep it short and sweet (remember the judge has already seen the horse move around the jumps and with the rest of the class) so it is optimum time to show obedience again with minimal interferance from the rider.

I love WH classes so i hope you have a great time... just remember to smile an dkeep an eye on the judge !!!
 
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