What is Hunter Trials

F

frimag

Member
Joined
24 March 2013
Messages
25
Location
Surrey and Norway
Visit site
So, this Sunday I am going on my first hunting trial (at a pony club thing) with my riding stable. But I am wondering, what is it? As far as I know it has something to do with xc and I am doing it in pairs.
 
Short answer is usually it a cross country course either with the winner closest to the optimum time for the whole course or part of the course. Sometimes they'll have challenges like gates in (but I've never seen one like this for a while)
 
I've got my first one this Sunday too ! I could do with knowing what they are as well, lol, but I'm hoping it is very low key and they will be kind about me being a complete numpty.

Check the rules for your PC, but from what I can tell:

- round a course of xc fences, with some timed element e.g. closest to the optimum time without going under it, or timed over just a section of jumps
- for pairs, there may be a dressing fence, which you are supposed to go over at the same time. I think you also need to finish within a certain distance of each other, but I'm not sure what that is, probably around 1-2 horse spaces between you
- think xc colours is ok, light jods., dark boots or chaps, long sleeved shirt, non peak hat, body protector. Your pc may have rules on bits, whips and spurs etc.

That;s about the extent of my knowledge. I hope to be more knowledgeble after Sunday haha !

Good luck, I'm bricking it
 
Happy Hunter said:
Simple search online found these:

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?633361-Hunter-trials&highlight=hunter+trials
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/foru...r-pairs-hunter-trials&highlight=hunter+trials
http://www.yourhorse.co.uk/Horse-An...-Competition/What-do-you-do-in-Hunter-Trials/

Enjoy
Click to expand...

Handy, thanks !

I'm a bit perturbed by the idea of there being a few of us out on a course at the same time, sounds like a recipe for disaster, especially as my horse is ridiculously quick so I would hate to catch up with the person in front. Eeek.
 
Bernster said:
Handy, thanks !

I'm a bit perturbed by the idea of there being a few of us out on a course at the same time, sounds like a recipe for disaster, especially as my horse is ridiculously quick so I would hate to catch up with the person in front. Eeek.
Click to expand...

It is how most XC disciplines are run - imagine how long it would take to wait for each person to complete their round. I have to say it would have been helpful for you both to have gone along to one to watch prior to entering one!
 
RunToEarth said:
It is how most XC disciplines are run - imagine how long it would take to wait for each person to complete their round. I have to say it would have been helpful for you both to have gone along to one to watch prior to entering one!
Click to expand...

Ah, fair point - nothing like being prepared eh. In my case, I was bounced into this by my friend, wouldn't really have done it but she wanted a lead in the pairs class, then decided to enter us for the indiv class instead.

In my defence, I have actually done one before (but I don't think it was formally called a hunter trial, but that's what it was), just not with this horse. I don't remember there being other people on the course but then again I was probably so nervous I didn't pay any attention!
 
Hopefully the course will be open the afternoon before for people to walk it, so you can get a preview. There should be a copy of the rules up too, if they're not already on your entry form. Both these things will give you time to prepare..
 
Pairs is alot more tricky than going around on your own. You need to sit down with your partner & figure out who is going to lead ..
Also you need to discuss what you plan to do if either horse refuses a fence, do you try it again or do you just kick on. Also agree on couple of key words which person behind can shout if they get into difficulty - brakes etc!....
You need to also be aware that if one of the horses refuses a fence you should reallly just kick on if pair behind you are close ... If you need to pass someone out you need to roar & give as much warning as possible. Also try to leave 2 to 3 horse distance between you both.
frimag said:
So, this Sunday I am going on my first hunting trial (at a pony club thing) with my riding stable. But I am wondering, what is it? As far as I know it has something to do with xc and I am doing it in pairs.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
RunToEarth said:
It is how most XC disciplines are run - imagine how long it would take to wait for each person to complete their round. I have to say it would have been helpful for you both to have gone along to one to watch prior to entering one!
Click to expand...

Agree with this. I can't imagine entering a competition having no idea what it is actually about. What happens if you get there and find it isn't something you are up to? XC is dangerous and I think of all the disciplines, it's the one you need to prep for.

RE horse speed. The person in front will have to give way but it is up to you to make sure your horse is under control and that you have brakes. You will be pulled up if you appear to have no control or are dangerous.
 
Bernster said:
Handy, thanks !

I'm a bit perturbed by the idea of there being a few of us out on a course at the same time, sounds like a recipe for disaster, especially as my horse is ridiculously quick so I would hate to catch up with the person in front. Eeek.
Click to expand...

You should be started at intervals of around 2 minutes. If you catch someone up they are either having an horrendous round or you are going FAR too fast. If you are going far too fast you will be well down on the placings as it's about optimum time, you may be eliminated, you may be pulled up by the fence judges, you may be spoken to (told off by) the Steward at the end, or if you don't know what fences you can take at speed and which ones you need a "coffin canter" for you may just be carted off in a box.


I suggest you get yourself some tuition in double quick.
 
Very good points.... at HT I was at last weekend , ambulance was needed on couple of occasions - speed was the cause of most falls!!

jemima*askin said:
You should be started at intervals of around 2 minutes. If you catch someone up they are either having an horrendous round or you are going FAR too fast. If you are going far too fast you will be well down on the placings as it's about optimum time, you may be eliminated, you may be pulled up by the fence judges, you may be spoken to (told off by) the Steward at the end, or if you don't know what fences you can take at speed and which ones you need a "coffin canter" for you may just be carted off in a box.


I suggest you get yourself some tuition in double quick.
Click to expand...
 
Not always optimum, have done a few that are still fastest time through a timed section and then know plenty that trot round after that so rather easy to catch up!
 
jemima*askin said:
You should be started at intervals of around 2 minutes. If you catch someone up they are either having an horrendous round or you are going FAR too fast. If you are going far too fast you will be well down on the placings as it's about optimum time, you may be eliminated, you may be pulled up by the fence judges, you may be spoken to (told off by) the Steward at the end, or if you don't know what fences you can take at speed and which ones you need a "coffin canter" for you may just be carted off in a box.


I suggest you get yourself some tuition in double quick.
Click to expand...

Thank you. And apologies to OP for taking this over, I have no idea of OPs experience outside of HTs.

As for me, I was aware there might be issues with going too fast although not exactly what that might mean. Have to say, the full and rather scary array of penalties etc that you've listed here has set off my blood pressure again. I was feeling kind of ok but am now having another wobble about whether I should do it.

There is ofc an obvious tendancy to be a bit melodramatic about things, and given my complete wet fish-ness about competing, I have realised that what I have missed out (and have kind of ignored myself) is the past 6 years+ of xc training, course hire, clinics, Harry Meade hunt prep course, sponsored rides, jump lessons and hunting. Not all of them on this horse but on my previous one and hirelings as well.

Not sure if that tips the balance or whether people still think I am an utter fool who is about to be carried off in an ambulance. For someone who is a complete physical coward, if I really felt like I was going to come a cropper, I absolutely would not do it, but a 75 cms baby course for an unaff RC event doesn't seem like the toughest course in the world. I am prepared to be proved wrong when I do the course walk on Sat, of course, when I will make the final decision as to whether or not to do it.
 
Aw no don't wobble, you'll love it. Just have a good look at everything, walk the course two or three times, go steady and you will come back with the biggest smile on your face!
 
Bernster said:
There is ofc an obvious tendancy to be a bit melodramatic about things, and given my complete wet fish-ness about competing, I have realised that what I have missed out (and have kind of ignored myself) is the past 6 years+ of xc training, course hire, clinics, Harry Meade hunt prep course, sponsored rides, jump lessons and hunting. Not all of them on this horse but on my previous one and hirelings as well.

Not sure if that tips the balance or whether people still think I am an utter fool who is about to be carried off in an ambulance. For someone who is a complete physical coward, if I really felt like I was going to come a cropper, I absolutely would not do it, but a 75 cms baby course for an unaff RC event doesn't seem like the toughest course in the world. I am prepared to be proved wrong when I do the course walk on Sat, of course, when I will make the final decision as to whether or not to do it.
Click to expand...

I think that does change things somewhat. Your original reply came across (to me, maybe not to others) as though you'd never done any XC and had no idea what to expect, coupled with being terrified would be recipe for disaster. Sounds like you've done plenty of prep over the years so no, a 75cm class should be fine. If you're likely to have control problems then maybe think about a different bit. Otherwise, if in doubt, just kick on ;)
 
chestnut cob said:
I think that does change things somewhat. Your original reply came across (to me, maybe not to others) as though you'd never done any XC and had no idea what to expect, coupled with being terrified would be recipe for disaster. Sounds like you've done plenty of prep over the years so no, a 75cm class should be fine. If you're likely to have control problems then maybe think about a different bit. Otherwise, if in doubt, just kick on ;)
Click to expand...

I know, I'm sorry! Also, I didn't start the thread, I commented on what someone else had posted, so that might have confused people. Apologies to the OP if I've messed up your thread.

CC - it's been interesting for me to realise how my negative thoughts have transferred into writing, to the point where I've made myself sound like a total novice, rather than a slightly ill-informed wet lettuce. So I've turned that around and am trying positive mental attitude, but still with a healthy level of doubt to make sure I am not over confident.

We have good brakes away from a fence (with the help of a good bit), it's just the last 2 strides before a fence when I feel her rushing - when in fact I think it's more likely to be just the engine motoring iykwim. She's never given me a bad jump and I suspect that's just her telling me to ****** off and leave her to get on with it. I'm planning on trotting in between as she has a real ground covering stride so I need to slow it down.

Unless of course it chucks it down, in which case I'm going to wimp out haha.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top