Working hunter classes

[PinkFairy]

hiya, i've been browsing this forum as im particularly interested in WH but am a novicy rider, willing to do well and to learn though. Does anyone know where i should start, im doing jump lessons at the moment as well. What is involved in WH? What does the rider have to show etc

 

[SillyMare]

Working hunter classes normally assess the horse, not the rider. Of course a better rider will show a horse off to it's best advantage.

Everyone jumps a round of rustic show jumps (height of fences vary - will say in the schedule, open classes go up to about 3ft6 but novice stuff should be much lower. Judges look for manners, ability, style over the fence etc.

Those who show jump clear are invited back into the ring (if there are very few clears sometimes those with 4 faults will be invited back too). After that usual show class stuff - walk / trot / canter then individual shows, judge might ride, they may ask you to take the saddle off.

Final placings based on both jumping and showing element.

 

[squid35]

couldnt have said it better myself!

 

[Jemayni]

Everything the sillymare said was right, but its not as formal as that if you want to do it low level at a local level. Your smallest class will be around 2ft, a few of you will go clear then he clear rounders will have to do a simple show piece. Its dead good fun and personally I find it a hell of a lot less daunting than SJ!

 

[fjudge]

Yep! Thats basically it!

Check out this forum....you may find it helpful

http://francescamae.proboards40.com/index.cgi

 

[FMM]

In Working Hunter classes, the penalties are slightly different to showjumping, as your final score is minus the following:

1st refusal 15 penalties
2nd refusal 20 penalties
3rd refusal elimination
knockdown 10 penalties

Providing a horse has not got a minus number (!), then it is at the judge's discretion how many are invited back!