How does the UK officially define hunters? lightweight, etc.

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texascbs

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Hello

I am from the USA and I have horses. I have many horse breed books, and often a breed is described as this is nice light weight hunter, etc. I read H&H and when my friends are in the UK, I beg them to bring an issue home to me.

In the USA, to compete as large, medium, or small ponies, and to show as a small hunter or large hunter, you must have your animal measured by an official with a veterinarian. Then you are given a measurement card you present at all shows to make sure you are entered into the correct division.

Does the UK have a similar system for lightweight, medium weight, and heavy weight hunters? If so, where is the criteria, and is your horse measured at a show by a steward and a veterinary surgeon?

Thanks
GG in Texas
 
I live in the USA but am English. I am sure the showing buffs can tell you about the measuring in England but I have done some showing (showing is a seperate discipline to showjumping, dressage ect) and I do know that the way we show our hunters is extremely different. English class by different 'types' unlike in the USA. We have lightweight, Mediumweight and Heavyweight hunters, show hunters and working hunters (the only ones that jump). The judge will look for different characteristics in each class (e.g a working hunter class) and it's very much down to conformation, manners, way of going and presentation. A heavyweight working hunter will look very different to a lightweight show hunter and it's not necessarily down to height. They could both be 16.3hh and still look completely different.
In each class (eg the lightweight show hunter class) they all do a go round at walk, trot, canter together round the ring. Then they get pulled into a line up. They will each do an individual show, the judge will ride and they will have their tack stripped for the conformation assessment and be trotted up. Then they do a walk round together and the judge will pull in who they want for 1st, 2nd ect into a line.
Working hunters have a seperate jumping phase that they are judged on.
There can be lots of horses in a class and it can take ages for a class to complete. You have to have a horse that is good at standing in the line for a long time!
I'm sure pure showing people have more to add!
 
Hi, in the UK show hunters are classed as Small Hunter (158cm or under), and then lightweight, middleweight, heavyweight. The latter 3 do not need a height certificate. There is quite a good explanation of the different types here by Robert Walker, one of the top show hunter pros:

http://www.horseandcountry.tv/article/show-hunter-classes-explained

The above are the classes for adult riders. There are also Show Hunter Pony (SHP) classes for junior riders, which are classified by age of rider and heights - 122cm, 133cm, 143cm, 153cm and Intermediate (158cm). SHPs should be miniature versions of show hunters.
 
Firewell said:
I live in the USA but am English. I am sure the showing buffs can tell you about the measuring in England but I have done some showing (showing is a seperate discipline to showjumping, dressage ect) and I do know that the way we show our hunters is extremely different. English class by different 'types' unlike in the USA. We have lightweight, Mediumweight and Heavyweight hunters, show hunters and working hunters (the only ones that jump). The judge will look for different characteristics in each class (e.g a working hunter class) and it's very much down to conformation, manners, way of going and presentation. A heavyweight working hunter will look very different to a lightweight show hunter and it's not necessarily down to height. They could both be 16.3hh and still look completely different.
In each class (eg the lightweight show hunter class) they all do a go round at walk, trot, canter together round the ring. Then they get pulled into a line up. They will each do an individual show, the judge will ride and they will have their tack stripped for the conformation assessment and be trotted up. Then they do a walk round together and the judge will pull in who they want for 1st, 2nd ect into a line.
Working hunters have a seperate jumping phase that they are judged on.
There can be lots of horses in a class and it can take ages for a class to complete. You have to have a horse that is good at standing in the line for a long time!
I'm sure pure showing people have more to add!
Click to expand...
Hw, mw and lw is to do with the amount of bone and substance a horse has. A show hunter and working hunter should be exactly the same types and often horses do well in both classes.
Ridden hunters do not do individual shows, they are ridden by the judge!

There are also the small hunters that should be scaled down middleweight hunters ( under 15.2hh) and the ladies hunter class which is a hunter ridden sidesaddle.

Flat Classes are judged 50% conformation and type and 50% manners, way of going and the ride they give the judge!
Workers classes jump a course of rustic jumps, this can involve water jumps, splashes, owlholes scarey fillers etc. if they go clear they are called back for a flat section similar to the show hunters.
The workers are marked similar to the show hunter except some of the marks are assigned to how stylish the jumping was! And the jumping should be done at a good hunting canter, no messing round with shortening, lengthening or interrupting the horses rhythm.

When compaired to the U.S. Hunter classes the UK hunters are expected to carry themselves more and work in a better outline!
 
I am not fond of USA show hunters today. I am more in the George Morris camp that we need to get back to basics and go back to our roots. I like to jump a hunter round once in a while at an unaffiliated show. It is fun, inexpensive, and I feel like a kid again. Then I pack up and go home, and my mare is happy she only competes as a hunter once in a while.
 
Small hunters do need a height certificate, either an AHC or LHC , these are done by a specific Vet from the JMB before you can compete in affiliated classes. None of the other hunters for adults need measuring.
 
spottybotty said:
Small hunters do need a height certificate, either an AHC or LHC , these are done by a specific Vet from the JMB before you can compete in affiliated classes. None of the other hunters for adults need measuring.
Click to expand...

that seems similar to small and large hunters in the USA. I think small hunters are under 15.3 1/2 hands or somewhere in the range. Remember the USA is one of three countries still using Imperial measurements. We need to go metric!
 
Faracat said:
http://www.theshowring.info/at a glance.htm

This site is normally very helpful, but for some reason the Hunter page doesn't seem to be working today. :( Hopefully they'll get it sorted soon.
Click to expand...


They sorted it out. I am a Cleveland Bay owner, but I have never seen this information. Very interesting whoever wrote it, and nice to see 15.2 plus ok as usually the standard is 16.0 and under 16.0 are a bit frowned upon. BTW, if you have a CB in the UK now you can show if Overstamped with the CBHS. They opened that up a few years ago. I am not exactly sure how your system works, but a lot of partbreds are registered as their primary with organizations like SHB GB, but if you get a CBHS overstamp (saves money too) then you can compete in CBHS classes. they use your new CBHS overstamp number not your main PIO number but that's ok, you get to compete.

Great information on all aspects of showing. Love it. Thanks
 
texascbs said:
They sorted it out. I am a Cleveland Bay owner, but I have never seen this information. Very interesting whoever wrote it, and nice to see 15.2 plus ok as usually the standard is 16.0 and under 16.0 are a bit frowned upon. BTW, if you have a CB in the UK now you can show if Overstamped with the CBHS. They opened that up a few years ago. I am not exactly sure how your system works, but a lot of partbreds are registered as their primary with organizations like SHB GB, but if you get a CBHS overstamp (saves money too) then you can compete in CBHS classes. they use your new CBHS overstamp number not your main PIO number but that's ok, you get to compete.

Great information on all aspects of showing. Love it. Thanks
Click to expand...

My daughter competes a Heavyweight that is full ID but overstamped and registered by SHGB, she also has to be a member of SHGB to compete in RIHS qualifiers. To compete in HOYS qualifiers the horse has to be registered with BHSA and she has to have an associate Hunter membership!
 
spottybotty said:
My daughter competes a Heavyweight that is full ID but overstamped and registered by SHGB, she also has to be a member of SHGB to compete in RIHS qualifiers. To compete in HOYS qualifiers the horse has to be registered with BHSA and she has to have an associate Hunter membership!
Click to expand...

that's a lot of memberships and registrations/OS fees. think the CBHS may want you to be a member too. it all adds up after a while!!!
 
Yes it is especially if you are a true home produced amateur. Qualified for the RIHS in the Open Heavy weight hunter next is getting the coveted HOYS ticket.
 
We had an RID stallion competing in Texas for a while. He was such a gentleman. I remember the horse and rider chilling out under an oak tree. The owner asked me to hold him while she walked stadium (there were in Novice eventing ..in UK about same as pre-novice). She said he would be fine, and I thought sure why not he is quiet. After a minute I realized I was holding a stallion who continued to snooze.

In the USA, the CBHS North America is independent of the CBHS in UK. They have made the rules to compete a little easier and cheaper, but we don't have the wonderful HOYS and other events you have. Tough with our distances to have year end shows when the USA spans almost 3000 miles from Washington State to Florida. Good luck and thanks everyone with all the wonderful information
 
Try haveing a coloured Small hunter who happens to be part ID
So I have to join:
Chaps
Bspa
Bsha
Shbgb
Idhs

I could also join bsps and do thier associate horse classes.
 
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