Pictures/advice needed on turnout for WH classes... Horse and rider

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nikkinoo

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A friend is wanting to do working hunter classes on my horse,
I have lost alot of confidence in her at the moment so it will do her good to carry on going out and doing things,

It is something that I would like to have a go at doing with her when I get my nerve back.

Mainly wondering what would the rider be expected to wear or frowned upon for wearing lol,

horse I would expect to be beautifully turned out, plaited, preferably with double bridle (may just use pelham for her though with double reins)
Could you use a Gp saddle or is it best to use straight cut saddle, how would you manage then with the jumping section?

Any advice/tips and photos greatly appreciated
 
could get away with GP saddle at small local level shows but ideally you want a working hunter saddle, similar and straight cut like a show saddle but very slightly more forward cut and a little bit of knee roll added
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I believe that you can actually buy working hunter saddles that are more straight cut than a jumping saddle but not as straight as a showing one, but you don't need one. A GP would be fine.

The rider normally wears tweed, with beige or canary jodhs, and a coloured stock or tie. Velvet hat, black boots etc.

The turnout should be workman like rather than fancy.

The majority of the marks are for a clear and stylish jumping round. At club level I have been placed above someone correctly and beautifully turned out because I went clear despite being in a black jacket, white stock and skull cap.

They key thing is to jump clear, at a good even working canter (more forward than a bouncy showjumping style round) look like you are enjoying it and not having to interfere with your horse or work too hard.

After that you will get marks for your individual show (walk trot and canter on both reins and then an extended canter/gallop) for turnout and conformation. Workers are not penalised for cosmetic deformities like scars, splits etc the same as normal show horses as they are expected to pick up some bumps out hunting.

I would highly recommend volunteering as a steward it is a real education. I did this at a BSPS show and had a fun day and learnt about working hunter classes at the same time.
 
Ok, he is a hairy cob, but this is Stinky doing Trailblazers working hunter cob in January. You just need to plait up unless you have a M&M or traditional cob or a show cob, but the rest of our turnout is correct for any hunter class. I prefer a WH saddle for showing as I can use it for dressage and jumping competitions as well.

StinkysfirstWorkingCob4.jpg


StinkysfirstWorkingCob3.jpg


He is in a pelham, but will shortly be in his double, but you can really use any bit for WH, but pelham or double would be the better options if your horse goes well in them. You can also use a martingale and boots, but boots must be removed after the jumping section, but the tack must stay the same for the rest of the class, ie if you jump in a gag and martingale they must stay put.

I have tweed jacket and hat - in brown, as this suits his colouring. Gold and mustard tie, cream shirt and jods (cream/beige are kinder to my short fat legs than canary), long black leather boots - I don't wear spurs as he does not need them and many of the BSPA classes don't allow them so it is easier not to have them. I do have garters. Dark brown gloves and cane. Hair is in a bun.
 
Thanks, he is my pride and joy - this was the first time he had ever seen a working hunter fence, let alone a course and also my first time at doing working hunter. We had great fun and had came 2nd - he wrong legged a few strides of canter on his show - my fault as I didn't set him up properly as he is still a baby and green.

All being well and chemo not knackering me, we are set for the WH cob finals at Trailblazers as they have been so very kind and allowed me to just pay for the second round but not have to do it as I can't jump until the end of June having had my boob off, and there are no qualifiers in my area before the finals in early July.

Really looking forward to having some fun in July.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I believe that you can actually buy working hunter saddles that are more straight cut than a jumping saddle but not as straight as a showing one, but you don't need one. A GP would be fine.

The rider normally wears tweed, with beige or canary jodhs, and a coloured stock or tie. Velvet hat, black boots etc.

The turnout should be workman like rather than fancy.

The majority of the marks are for a clear and stylish jumping round. At club level I have been placed above someone correctly and beautifully turned out because I went clear despite being in a black jacket, white stock and skull cap.

They key thing is to jump clear, at a good even working canter (more forward than a bouncy showjumping style round) look like you are enjoying it and not having to interfere with your horse or work too hard.

After that you will get marks for your individual show (walk trot and canter on both reins and then an extended canter/gallop) for turnout and conformation. Workers are not penalised for cosmetic deformities like scars, splits etc the same as normal show horses as they are expected to pick up some bumps out hunting.

I would highly recommend volunteering as a steward it is a real education. I did this at a BSPS show and had a fun day and learnt about working hunter classes at the same time.

[/ QUOTE ]

I regularly steward BSPS WH classess. The marking is 50% jumping (including 10% for jumping style) and 50% on the confo/manners of the horse. You will get no marks for your turnout, although obviously a more pleasing picture helps the judge differentiate between 2 similar horses. The horse/pony MUST be plaited (running plait is permissable) unless in a Heritage (native) class. You may put boots on the horse for the jumping phase but must remove them for the showing phase. There must be no other change in tack. Unaffiliated/horse classes may be run to BSPS rules or could be run on any other that the judge/organising body fancies. The rules will no doubt be published in advance.
 
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