Equibeau
Well-Known Member
between a Hack and a Riding Horse. I have pored over pic of both in the H+H and wonder if it is a height thing? They look so similar, and I dont know which to enter!
What's the difference
- Thread starter Equibeau
- Start date
mollymurphy
Well-Known Member
I have always wanted to know this!!
And a ridden hunter! They all look the same (to me!)
Someone please clear it up for us!
x
fjudge
Well-Known Member
- The riding horse classes are divided into two sections: the small class for horses exceeding 14.2hh but not exceeding 15.2hh and the large which is for animals exceeding 15.2hh and with no upper height limit.
The true show riding horse has quality and substance with enough bone below the knee to correspond with its height. The animal's conformation should be as correct as possible and he should not in anyway be weedy or short of limb. The preferred movement is straight, long and flowing, but without the extravagant action associated with the show hack. The horse should take a light hold of his bridle and be responsive to the rider's aids. He must also have the ability to gallop on and then pull up and stand still without any fuss or bother, so overall good manners are very important.
- The outstanding characteristics of the show hack are his grace, elegance and perfect manners. Quality is most important. Besides all these attributes the top-class show hack has that magical characteristic which is called presence, an impression of superiority hard to define and which compels and holds the attention of judges and spectators alike when the horse enters the ring.
The hack's action must be more spectacular than that of a hunter or riding horse and so the trot should be long and low with the potential to extend and point the toe when asked. The canter provides perhaps the greatest test of a show hack and should be noted for its balance, smoothness and rhythm. This is the proverbial hack canter which champions appear to do naturally.
When judging conformation, the hack must be as near perfect as possible. In eight out of ten cases a true hack will be a pure thoroughbred, although he must not exceed 15hh for the small or 15.3hh for the large class. A good animal should have about 8 inches of bone below the knee and be clean of its limbs with absolutly no unsoundness.
The training of the show hack is vitally important, and will follow along the principles of dressage with the aim that he will carry his rider comfortably and quietly with free forward movement at all times. He must be 100% responsive to the rider's aids and be light on the hands. The hack will be required to walk freely on a loose rein, trot elegantly, strike off into collected canter extending as necessary, and come back quietly with no fuss to stand rock-still when asked. It will be clear that the more time and trouble one takes with the early training of the horse, the nearer perfect the end result is likely to be.
The hack is never asked to gallop in the ring and the individual show must not exceed one and a half minutes. The performance should include a walk, trot, strike off to canter with a simple change of leg, halt and rein-back. The horse will demonstrate his obedience and responsiveness to the aids but there should be no anticipation of the next movement on the part of the horse.
An expert rider will give a show which appears simple but is as technically perfect as possible. Should the horse make a mistake, the rider will cover it up with a fuss and throughout the display will appear so calm and nonchalant that it will seem to be entirely without effort.
The hack classes have been generating a great deal on interest in the last few years, and an abundance of enthusiasm is being shown by breeders, owners and riders of all ages, from children coming up from ponies to the more mature. It is encouraging that one may still be lucky enough to find a good animal unshown at a reasonable price, although obviously once a hack reaches the top of its class it can be very expensive to buy.
Will find you some good pic examples!
The true show riding horse has quality and substance with enough bone below the knee to correspond with its height. The animal's conformation should be as correct as possible and he should not in anyway be weedy or short of limb. The preferred movement is straight, long and flowing, but without the extravagant action associated with the show hack. The horse should take a light hold of his bridle and be responsive to the rider's aids. He must also have the ability to gallop on and then pull up and stand still without any fuss or bother, so overall good manners are very important.
- The outstanding characteristics of the show hack are his grace, elegance and perfect manners. Quality is most important. Besides all these attributes the top-class show hack has that magical characteristic which is called presence, an impression of superiority hard to define and which compels and holds the attention of judges and spectators alike when the horse enters the ring.
The hack's action must be more spectacular than that of a hunter or riding horse and so the trot should be long and low with the potential to extend and point the toe when asked. The canter provides perhaps the greatest test of a show hack and should be noted for its balance, smoothness and rhythm. This is the proverbial hack canter which champions appear to do naturally.
When judging conformation, the hack must be as near perfect as possible. In eight out of ten cases a true hack will be a pure thoroughbred, although he must not exceed 15hh for the small or 15.3hh for the large class. A good animal should have about 8 inches of bone below the knee and be clean of its limbs with absolutly no unsoundness.
The training of the show hack is vitally important, and will follow along the principles of dressage with the aim that he will carry his rider comfortably and quietly with free forward movement at all times. He must be 100% responsive to the rider's aids and be light on the hands. The hack will be required to walk freely on a loose rein, trot elegantly, strike off into collected canter extending as necessary, and come back quietly with no fuss to stand rock-still when asked. It will be clear that the more time and trouble one takes with the early training of the horse, the nearer perfect the end result is likely to be.
The hack is never asked to gallop in the ring and the individual show must not exceed one and a half minutes. The performance should include a walk, trot, strike off to canter with a simple change of leg, halt and rein-back. The horse will demonstrate his obedience and responsiveness to the aids but there should be no anticipation of the next movement on the part of the horse.
An expert rider will give a show which appears simple but is as technically perfect as possible. Should the horse make a mistake, the rider will cover it up with a fuss and throughout the display will appear so calm and nonchalant that it will seem to be entirely without effort.
The hack classes have been generating a great deal on interest in the last few years, and an abundance of enthusiasm is being shown by breeders, owners and riders of all ages, from children coming up from ponies to the more mature. It is encouraging that one may still be lucky enough to find a good animal unshown at a reasonable price, although obviously once a hack reaches the top of its class it can be very expensive to buy.
Will find you some good pic examples!
fjudge
Well-Known Member
This was taken from the description on our forum...
http://francescamae.proboards40.com/index.cgi
I didnt just type it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://francescamae.proboards40.com/index.cgi
I didnt just type it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
fjudge
Well-Known Member
Hack -
Riding Horse-
Riding Horse-
fjudge
Well-Known Member
As for the hunters...there are loads!!!!
Lightweight, Middleweight, Heavyweight, Small, Ladies, Working...!
Lightweight, Middleweight, Heavyweight, Small, Ladies, Working...!
mollymurphy
Well-Known Member
Oh my head hurts now!! Ahhh well, either way, i dont have any!!! Thank you for clearing that up though!
I remember when i went to one of my 1st shows when i was 15 - i thought 'riding horse' meant a horse most suitable for a riding school!
And i entered it!
Luckily, it wasnt a big posh show or anything, so we didnt look TOO rediculous!!
But just out of curiosity, what's the difference between say, a medium weight hunter and a ladies?!........and a working!!!
Workers jump during the class dont they? But that's all i know!!!!
I remember when i went to one of my 1st shows when i was 15 - i thought 'riding horse' meant a horse most suitable for a riding school!
But just out of curiosity, what's the difference between say, a medium weight hunter and a ladies?!........and a working!!!
charlie76
Well-Known Member
My ridden hunter:
And our novice worker:
And our novice worker:
fjudge
Well-Known Member
And to add the the pics of the lovely hunter pics above...
Small hunter
Middleweight hunter
Leightweight hunter
Ladies hunter
Heavyweight hunter
Small hunter
Middleweight hunter
Leightweight hunter
Ladies hunter
Heavyweight hunter
mollymurphy
Well-Known Member
Gorgeous horses! What weight is the ridden one classed as? Medium? Are workers supposed to 'look' a certain way, appearence-wise / be a certain breed?
For example, i have a 15.3 belgian warmblood and a 15.2 Welsh D X TB. Assuming they were correctly schooled and conformation-perfect, could they do any of these classes?!
Also, (so sorry for the post-hijacking, but it's been annoying me for AGES!!), are they all typically ridden in double bridles? If so, is this compulsary?!
For example, i have a 15.3 belgian warmblood and a 15.2 Welsh D X TB. Assuming they were correctly schooled and conformation-perfect, could they do any of these classes?!
Also, (so sorry for the post-hijacking, but it's been annoying me for AGES!!), are they all typically ridden in double bridles? If so, is this compulsary?!
fjudge
Well-Known Member
Well im not 100% sure of what breeding most are, but as long as they look and go like a hunter then ther is no reason why you cant enter. Do you have pics of your 2? Conformation doesnt have to be perfect, ie: splints may be overlooked as they are suppost to be "hunters"
but on another day, it may be used against you. They are typically ridden in double bridles, but as a novice you could wear a snaffle. But the overall picture looks better in a double.
Equibeau
Well-Known Member
Wow, thank you for that. I think mine could be more like a riding horse? Will see if I have a pic...
http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/2785/2452014440065846326S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/2785/2452014440065846326S600x600Q85.jpg
fjudge
Well-Known Member
Cant see clearly, but deffinately looks typey and classy enough!
Ill find you some descriptions *runs to site to ciopy them*!!
Ill find you some descriptions *runs to site to ciopy them*!!
Equibeau
Well-Known Member
am not good at posting pictures! will try again with this one .
fjudge
Well-Known Member
Lightweight
The lightweight classes at the major shows are usually the best filled and often contain some really high-class horses. The ideal type for this class are thoroughbreds or seven-eights bred and with a good height of 16.1hh-16.2hh with about 8 1/2 inches of bone.
The lightweight should be a good mover and be able to gallop and must have plenty of presence to stand out amongst the others in the ring. He should be well schooled and light in the hand. A true lightweight should be an ideal ride for ladies and lightweight men to ride, hunt or even event. The lightweight also often doubles as a ladies hunter which is ridden side saddle
Middleweight
The ideal pattern for a middleweight is about 16.3hh and with about 8 3/4 to 9 inches of bone. He should ride bold and take hold of his bridle. The middleweights are usually the most sought after of all the show hunters as they are a good size and type for the hunting field. Many judges are satisfied by the middleweight hunter which can prove useful in hunter championships.
Heavyweight
The true heavyweight show hunter capable of carrying over 14 stone is a rare commodity today. The quality heavyweight show hunter is the monarch of the ring and the envy of everyone. His trot is not as spectacular as that of the lightweight or middleweight, but is still long and low with little or no knee action. The true heavyweight need not be more than 17hh but should have 9 or 10 inches of bone. Where the blood heavyweight comes into his own is in the gallop. Here he leaves his common brothers floundering behind him.
The heavyweight does need time to mature and is best not shown until he is six years old. Often people show their heavyweights too fat and unfit, which can lead to trouble.
Small hunter
The true small hunter should be based on the miniature middleweight pattern but only up to 15.2hh in height. He should be short of leg with a good deep body and, to use an old term, a 'very butty type'. He should have a lot of character and presence about him to be good. Movement in a small hunter needs to be especially attractive as it is not unusual to have about twenty competing together at any one time.
There always seems to be controversy on small hunter heights, many people maintaining that they are over 15.2hh. A good sort of 15.2hh appears from the outside of the ring to be higher than it is, and so much depends on the animal's wither being high or low.
The lightweight classes at the major shows are usually the best filled and often contain some really high-class horses. The ideal type for this class are thoroughbreds or seven-eights bred and with a good height of 16.1hh-16.2hh with about 8 1/2 inches of bone.
The lightweight should be a good mover and be able to gallop and must have plenty of presence to stand out amongst the others in the ring. He should be well schooled and light in the hand. A true lightweight should be an ideal ride for ladies and lightweight men to ride, hunt or even event. The lightweight also often doubles as a ladies hunter which is ridden side saddle
Middleweight
The ideal pattern for a middleweight is about 16.3hh and with about 8 3/4 to 9 inches of bone. He should ride bold and take hold of his bridle. The middleweights are usually the most sought after of all the show hunters as they are a good size and type for the hunting field. Many judges are satisfied by the middleweight hunter which can prove useful in hunter championships.
Heavyweight
The true heavyweight show hunter capable of carrying over 14 stone is a rare commodity today. The quality heavyweight show hunter is the monarch of the ring and the envy of everyone. His trot is not as spectacular as that of the lightweight or middleweight, but is still long and low with little or no knee action. The true heavyweight need not be more than 17hh but should have 9 or 10 inches of bone. Where the blood heavyweight comes into his own is in the gallop. Here he leaves his common brothers floundering behind him.
The heavyweight does need time to mature and is best not shown until he is six years old. Often people show their heavyweights too fat and unfit, which can lead to trouble.
Small hunter
The true small hunter should be based on the miniature middleweight pattern but only up to 15.2hh in height. He should be short of leg with a good deep body and, to use an old term, a 'very butty type'. He should have a lot of character and presence about him to be good. Movement in a small hunter needs to be especially attractive as it is not unusual to have about twenty competing together at any one time.
There always seems to be controversy on small hunter heights, many people maintaining that they are over 15.2hh. A good sort of 15.2hh appears from the outside of the ring to be higher than it is, and so much depends on the animal's wither being high or low.
Equibeau
Well-Known Member
Think I will give up now with the pics!!! Useless!
fjudge
Well-Known Member
Wow he looks lovely!
fjudge
Well-Known Member
Hope those descriptions help...! I suppose you could go to a big county show and see whats in what class, compare it to your lovely boy and then go for it!
mollymurphy
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Do you have pics of your 2?
[/ QUOTE ]
Rubbish photos (I'm not at home), but gives a rough idea.
Both are snaffle-mouthed and i wouldn't want to mess around with that. But at local level, would that be ok? (That's if they're suitable for anything!!)
Thank you! x
Do you have pics of your 2?
[/ QUOTE ]
Rubbish photos (I'm not at home), but gives a rough idea.
Both are snaffle-mouthed and i wouldn't want to mess around with that. But at local level, would that be ok? (That's if they're suitable for anything!!)
Thank you! x
fjudge
Well-Known Member
Ok well now i have seem....YES of course they are suitable! both look lovely and classy...go for it!
The first pic is especially fab. You will be 100% fine in a snaffle for local. The nly other thing is the judge my ride in some classes. Maybe you could get a showing cane to use instead of whip?
Oh and are your boots mountain horse top boots with a bit of lace up? If so..snap!!
The first pic is especially fab. You will be 100% fine in a snaffle for local. The nly other thing is the judge my ride in some classes. Maybe you could get a showing cane to use instead of whip?
Oh and are your boots mountain horse top boots with a bit of lace up? If so..snap!!
MillbrookSong
Well-Known Member
Right just wondering do you think *below* would do ok in lightweight hunters??
mollymurphy
Well-Known Member
Fab! Oh, and dont worry about the whip - that is sorted! The boots are Mountain Horse, but not the lacey-uppy ones, so only semi-snap!!
A judge would find the bay fine i think, but not sure what they'd think of Moll! We've got a bit of schooling to do with her yet!
One last question (i promise!!!) - what would we do with Moll's mane?! (It will never ever ever be cut off!!! EVER!!!) Leave it natural / running plait / something else?!
Thanks so much! x
A judge would find the bay fine i think, but not sure what they'd think of Moll! We've got a bit of schooling to do with her yet!
One last question (i promise!!!) - what would we do with Moll's mane?! (It will never ever ever be cut off!!! EVER!!!) Leave it natural / running plait / something else?!
fjudge
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Right just wondering do you think *below* would do ok in lightweight hunters??
[/ QUOTE ]
For unafilliated would be absolutely fine for hunter classes...also quite a riding horse type i think?
But for afilliated you may find the judge will want a bit more of a covering. Looks like a lovely horse though. you will definately be fine for local shows. Have you thought of doing things like Chiltern & Thames Rider showing championships? Its well worth it! But you may be too far from it? Not sure!
Right just wondering do you think *below* would do ok in lightweight hunters??
[/ QUOTE ]
For unafilliated would be absolutely fine for hunter classes...also quite a riding horse type i think?
But for afilliated you may find the judge will want a bit more of a covering. Looks like a lovely horse though. you will definately be fine for local shows. Have you thought of doing things like Chiltern & Thames Rider showing championships? Its well worth it! But you may be too far from it? Not sure!
Equibeau
Well-Known Member
QR For anyone interested in giving an opinion, please see my webshots!! Cant get the hang of posting pics at all! Ps lovely photos of your two,MM
MissDeMeena
Well-Known Member
Is that Song?
To me, not big enough to be a lightweight, looks more like a Riding Horse...
I think Socks would make a good hunter type, but his one downside, is he's the wrong hight, he's about 16hh/16.1hh ish, he's a perfect 'small' hunter, but too tall, but i don't think he's tall enough to be a lightweight...
Side on pic..
Ridden
To me, not big enough to be a lightweight, looks more like a Riding Horse...
I think Socks would make a good hunter type, but his one downside, is he's the wrong hight, he's about 16hh/16.1hh ish, he's a perfect 'small' hunter, but too tall, but i don't think he's tall enough to be a lightweight...
Side on pic..
Ridden
fjudge
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Fab! Oh, and dont worry about the whip - that is sorted! The boots are Mountain Horse, but not the lacey-uppy ones, so only semi-snap!!
A judge would find the bay fine i think, but not sure what they'd think of Moll! We've got a bit of schooling to do with her yet!
One last question (i promise!!!) - what would we do with Moll's mane?! (It will never ever ever be cut off!!! EVER!!!) Leave it natural / running plait / something else?!
Thanks so much! x
[/ QUOTE ]
No worries! Well for the ring, it would be ideal for Moll's mane to be pulled and plaited. Do you mean Moll wont allow for it? How about thinning sccisors or that mane/tail pulley thing!?! cant think of name! But it should be plaited
Fab! Oh, and dont worry about the whip - that is sorted! The boots are Mountain Horse, but not the lacey-uppy ones, so only semi-snap!!
A judge would find the bay fine i think, but not sure what they'd think of Moll! We've got a bit of schooling to do with her yet!
One last question (i promise!!!) - what would we do with Moll's mane?! (It will never ever ever be cut off!!! EVER!!!) Leave it natural / running plait / something else?!
[/ QUOTE ]
No worries! Well for the ring, it would be ideal for Moll's mane to be pulled and plaited. Do you mean Moll wont allow for it? How about thinning sccisors or that mane/tail pulley thing!?! cant think of name! But it should be plaited
fjudge
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Is that Song?
To me, not big enough to be a lightweight, looks more like a Riding Horse...
I think Socks would make a good hunter type, but his one downside, is he's the wrong hight, he's about 16hh/16.1hh ish, he's a perfect 'small' hunter, but too tall, but i don't think he's tall enough to be a lightweight...
Side on pic..
Ridden
[/ QUOTE ]
Have you put him against some of the lightweight hunters? He may be alright! Agree he looks like a small, what a shame!!
Is that Song?
To me, not big enough to be a lightweight, looks more like a Riding Horse...
I think Socks would make a good hunter type, but his one downside, is he's the wrong hight, he's about 16hh/16.1hh ish, he's a perfect 'small' hunter, but too tall, but i don't think he's tall enough to be a lightweight...
Side on pic..
Ridden
[/ QUOTE ]
Have you put him against some of the lightweight hunters? He may be alright! Agree he looks like a small, what a shame!!
MissDeMeena
Well-Known Member
I haven't no, i've never actually taken much notice of adult showing.. but as you've said, he looks like a 'small' if only i could get him to 15.2 he'd be grand!!!
mollymurphy
Well-Known Member
[quoteDo you mean Moll wont allow for it? How about thinning sccisors or that mane/tail pulley thing!?! cant think of name! But it should be plaited
[/ QUOTE ]
A solo comb!
Oh no, i dont mean she wouldnt allow it! It did used to be pulled. But i hated it!!! She just didnt suit it at all! She's a hairy monkey. Feathers were clipped in the winter because she had mud fever, but they're growing again now. She just doesnt look right with a pulled mane.
[/ QUOTE ]
A solo comb!
Oh no, i dont mean she wouldnt allow it! It did used to be pulled. But i hated it!!! She just didnt suit it at all! She's a hairy monkey. Feathers were clipped in the winter because she had mud fever, but they're growing again now. She just doesnt look right with a pulled mane.
EmmaChal
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
[/ QUOTE ]
What a lovely pony!
[/ QUOTE ]
What a lovely pony!