How different is the horse world in the UK than the USA?

[Old school]

Just about every horse in a showjumping competition will be wearing a running martingale, same on a cross country course, out hunting, etc. It is a fashion, a habit, a convention, whatever you you like to call it. Just the same in HJ competition in the US, it's not a requirement, but it is ubiquitous.

Up to a few years ago, I would 100% agree with you Cortez. Five point breastplates etc, horses buried under tack. But there is definitely a change afoot. I was fence stwearding twice already this EI season and it stood out how there is a shift away from excessive tack. The majority on XC had no martingale. It is so refreshing to see. And defo most of the pros had none. So hopefully their influence will filter through the ranks.

 

[ycbm]

...It's almost like I wasted a whole evening during bad weather writing out long posts just above explaining (in detail) all the reasons why almost all of this is almost entirely untrue across the US.

The rest of us appreciated it, S.

 

[SibeliusMB]

The rest of us appreciated it, S.

Thank you!!

But the wee black and white cobs are strangely expensive.

They'd better stay that way so I can import two and make straight cash money!!

This made me think of the American "working hunter " classes! Horses are so long the arse is in a different post code , on the forehand and not even heard of a contact. Looks hideous to me. And would be totally impractical and unsafe in the hunting field.

Depends on which working hunter class you're looking at. AQHA/APHA hunters? I would agree with this, because their version of hunters is very Western-framed. The "no contact" is what makes me think you're referring to those (see above) because at least our USEF/USHJA show hunters are on a contact. Are they in a short outline? No. But they should be ridden with light contact per the rules. Breed hunters like AQHA though...I have no idea what they're thinking. And no, you could never ride THAT in the hunt field and expect to live.

As I discussed in my post above, the USEF/USHJA "open" hunters are a different story. They are still not what you all are used to here in working hunter divisions in the UK though, and I understand the dislike. Again, North American hunter divisions are judged on highly enhanced perceived ideals (quiet, steady gaits, good jump, etc) of good hunters. Not so much on what horses are actually good field hunters. Sounds stupid, but if you look at it through that lens, it does start to make at least some sense.

I don't ride show hunters anymore, but I had two successful hunters that were competitive on the top circuit AND hunted all season (a real rarity these days). So those with concern about their ability in the actual field....they were two of the best hunt horses I rode. Very catty in the field with excellent jump, steady quality to their gaits let me concentrate on the rest of the field and relax/enjoy the ride, they were broke broke broke and responded to the slightest aid, not having to hold them together in a frame for the four hour hunt made my poor back very happy. I loved taking them out as I knew it was going to be an easy, enjoyable day. We had very trappy country in our territory as well; they were athletes and had no trouble navigating any of it and I would just stay in the middle and out of their way. Lovely.

But I've never hunted in the UK (hoping to get the chance someday) and I have no idea how the country differs from where I hunted in Virginia (length of hunt/speed/country/types of jumps, etc). It's highly likely that the type and style of the hunt is going to drive what type of horse is ideal and how it's ridden. Neither the North American or UK version of show hunters is right or wrong in my eyes, just different, and one judged on ideals and one judged on what is actually ridden in the field. Apples and oranges.