Ridden Hunter- What does it involve

[JessPickle]

Pickle has been off work a fair bit now and I think I am going to try and move towards Dressage and Showing, as I think jumping is just becoming too much of a push for him as he is getting older.

So saw a unaffiliated ridden hunter classes being advertised, what does this involve? Or what classes would Pickle suit (non jumping) will attach photos.

I have a brown saddle, brown bridle with flat noseband. However only have a waterford/NS universal/Full cheek copper snaffle. Assume a pelham/double bridle on 2 reins is more preferable? Also I assume he should be plaited and trimmed. Also is a full clip acceptable

Any help for this showing virgin would be very much appreciated, as determined to have a fun summer without jumping

He is 17.1hh so assume restricts what classes he can enter to a degree. Also not sure he would even agree to trot up in hand

 

[Lucy_Nottingham]

unaffiliated.l........

walk trot canter as a group both reins, line up, come out do individual walk trot canter show and hope the judge likes you!

often involves a canter, as a group and/or individually (should try to put one in your individual show if possible! just down a long side of the ring)

and that, as they say, is that!

You plait him, you need to pull the top of his tail, and cut it to just below his hocks.
Yes full clip is prefered (although you can keep the saddle patch on if you are just doing ridden, if you want to do inhand take it all off!! but yes legs have to go.

And you - tweed/hacking jacket, canary jods, black long boots, shirt, tie, brown gloves, brown show cane, blue velvet hat and spurs if you have them

Tack all sounds good except yes double reins are better so a pelham/rugby pelham or a double bridle is much better!

And a numnah that is a) brown b) sits under the saddle or is minimalisticly visible or just don't wear one!

hope this helps some! he is such a lovely dude! and no he is a good height for a ridden hunter so that will not be a hinderence but more a help as judges often prefer the stockier hunters taller!

 

[Irishlife]

Rugby Pelham or Double. nb Rugby pelhams not as acceptable on large hunters. He will need a full makeover so clipping out would be ok although blooming summer coat would be better. Pulled tail, pulled mane for plaiting, ears, jawline etc

A straight cut saddle or a lot of people use dressage saddles which is not quite correct. A GP saddle would be ok at local level. We use a brown sheepskin half pad under our saddle - discreet is the word. Flat bridlework, buy a sliphead and curb reins to convert your bridle.

Walk trot canter and gallop on. Line up. There is usually a ride and conformation judge sometimes both judges will ride starting at each end of the line up. Horses then stripped (take this time to have someone come into the ring to assist you with show shine, fly repellant, stable rubber, few brushes, damp sponge and lightly sponge/dry off any sweat marks on saddle path and girth area, clean bits of any slobber, check plaits.

Stand the horse up before the judges and capture his interest so he stands still and looks alert. Stand him square for the judge to view him head on and from behind then I always change the horse to an open stance for side on viewing.

Make sure the horse walks away from the judges smartly and keep straight, turn the horse away from you and trot back sharply again keeping straight, keep on trotting past the judges until you get to the back of the line up. Get your helper to tack up and leg you up, although the ring stewards are fairly handy with that and then there will be a final walk round and the final line up called in.

Hacking jacket, pastel or white shirt, co ordinating tie, velvet beagler hat or other velvet hat, beige breeches (canary a bit garish but you can wear them) boots, square top with garter although lots of people wear a dressage type top. Spurs or dummy spurs complete the look with dark leather gloves and a leather showing cane or hunting whip.

It is great fun although the classes go on forever sometimes.

Good luck!!

 

[Teddybully]

Highly unlikely at unaffiliated level that there would be more than one judge or that the judge would strip and ride your horse. It will say in the schedule, if not then call the secretary and ask.

Definately beige not canary jods. Pelham will be fine at local level (many at even RIHS also have pelhams in), it is whatever your horse goes best in that matters.

You will be required to do an individual show in trot and canter on both reins and a gallop down one side. The judge would like to see that the horse can be easily pulled up after the gallop!

Good luck - enjoy it!