What is a working hunter?

texansunrise

texansunrise

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Hi, after a very enjoyable first attempt at showing this weekend i would very much like to venture further and do a few more ridden classes...however i am unsure what what qualifies as a working hunter ...i am usure if i would be eligible to enter this class or not. This is low level showing i am entering but i dont really know what is expected of the horse or rider at a lower level..thank you in advance x
 
Do you have some photo's? Usually a WH has quaility and bone, should be able to jump a nice round at hunting pace and have some form of style over a fence.
 
At low level local stuff, really so long as the horse has got 4 legs and you can control it at gallop and jump, you can enter WH classes. Our RC held a WH day recently, there were some traditional WH horses and ponies, there were also cobs, M&Ms, a part-bred Trakehner, part-bred TBs, coloureds, IDs... you name it......
If you like the idea, go for it. You will be asked to jump a course of natural/rustic jumps and then (depending how many entries/faults) you will be asked back into the ring with the others for the confo part of the class. You will all go round together in walk/trot/canter then be asked to do individual shows. Your show should include w/t/c on both reins and gallop down the long side of the ring. Keep your show short so that the judge doesn't get fed up! If you can reinback at the end, so much the better. Your tacj & turnout should be workman-like, rather than flamboyant.
 
At local level most horses are capable of doing well in WH if they jump honestly and nicely.

60% of the mark is for the jumping phase - you go in alone, and jump round a course of rustic jumps. The pace should be on-going, and a bold, honest horse should be marked higher than one that showjumps round slowly..
(although it shouldn't look out of control..)
If you go clear, or if not many go clear and you have a few faults, you will be called in to do a ridden section. This section is for the remaining marks, and includes conformation. You will ride round in a group, and will be asked to walk trot and canter on each rein. The judge is looking for manners here -ie, does it pull when behind the others in canter.. You will then all line up and do a show individually. this should include walk trot and canter - on both reins, and at some point an extended canter (everyone calls gallop) where the judge is looking to see a nice lengthened stride and good brakes! (ie, something that would be nice to hunt). The looks and paces of the horse do count, but at local level you don't need the most beautiful horse. You may find that judges favour big irish type horses though..

Enjoy it - its a nice class to do...!
 
thankyou guys...im sorry i dont know how to upload pics...but just added loads of him in my album so pls feel free to see what you think and if he is chunky enough x
 
I like the look of your horse!!

You might find that judges have very differing views as to what they look for in a WH. I have found that some look for a traditional sturdy hunter that will go all day and others for the finer tb types who can really gallop. Don't know which view is considered correct and to be honest at a local level it really is judges' choice! However, good luck - if your horse can jump well and looks good (which I'm sure he will) then you should do well!
 
Thank you for all your comments..im just going to go for it! I was little unsure of showing /wh classes etcs with him as he is actualy an american paint horse and was backed for western ..however i know his sire who was a reining champion had his moment in the english showing classes. Thank you again for all your help and support as always x

Simsar will Pm you back x
 
one thing they look for is condition. Make sure your horse is fit and in reality should be fit enough to do a day's hunting, my friend did affiliated wh and huntered her pony as well.
 
This is my pony in a working hunter class where he came 3rd out of about 30.

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He's welsh x arab so on the lighter side than a traditional hunter - but could easily hunt all day long and not be tired which is what they look for. I was told to be placed higher he needs more topline so condition is definately a key thing)
 
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