working hunter classes

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cathystuart

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I have a 15.2hh 6/7 year old mare and many people have suggested that i do working hunter classes on her but i don't have a clue what to do. How big would the fences be and would i need to gallop in the show? what type of jacket would i need and would i need to buy a double bridle?
 
Haven't done working hunters for years but the range would be from the your local show where you may find a novice or an open and could be anything from 2'6 upwards up to county level where the fences are serious. In between those levels there are lots of different championships to qualify for at things like Equifest, Royal London, Trailblazers etc. Google any of those and you can find their rules.

You don't need to use a double and can use a running martingale.

Jacket would be tweed.

You would need to show a gallop yes.

That is a very basic answer as thinking about it, the last time I did a working hunter was probably 1999......
 
They are looking for a well put together horse that jumps in a good style, moves correctly and gives a well mannered, straightforward ride, the type that you could imagine sitting on all day and having a great days hunting. So if your horse is well schooled and can jump smoothly round a course of fences you have every chance of doing well.
Turnout should be tweed, shirt and tie, cream, beige jods, long black or brown boots, brown gloves.
Horse can wear any suitable bridle/ bit with a martingale but try and keep it simple, no bling or bright colours.
 
I have judged a few again donkeys years ago and what I looked for was - obviously jumping, depending on how it is scored a scrappy clear from a horse with not such good conformation will not necessarily beat an unlucky 4 faults from a well schooled, nicely put together horse. Some shows particularly local may only call the clear rounds back in for the flat showing section. I used to call all back in other than anything that had been eliminated or retired. If there were less in the class than the rosettes I would probably call them all back including anyone who had been eliminated since everyone had made an effort to be there.

The jumping round should be flowing and hopefully give the impression that the horse would jump out hunting, so not looking like it is going to refuse and jump at the last moment.

Flat showing section - obedient and well schooled. If riding as a ride judge, then comfortable.

Conformation- well put together and looking like it would last a day's hunting, so good feet and bone. Doesn't obviously need to be pretty pretty like a hack or a riding horse. It is a horse to do a job.
 
If she is measured in at 15.2 depending on your age you can either do intermediate working hunter (fences up to 1.15 at county) or smalls, but I can't remember the height of fences sorry.
Afaicr the normal heights for open workers are 1.10-1.15 and will include various fences of a rustic nature - I once jumped a hedge in an open class which had a big square straw bale in the middle!

A good worker should be of a hunter stamp, probably most likely a LW type although my previous horse was a RH, and he did very well in workers due to his fabulous jump and gallop. Good confo, forward going and thinking but mannerly and responsive to ride (as at county level the judges will ride the horses) careful jump but brave - not asking much :p
Of course, no horse is perfect and some qualities are not as improving as others :)

Eta the photo of the hedge (class was on a surface as was end of summer championship) which had the straw bale in it. Jumped very well!
showofthenorth010.jpg
 
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humblepie said:
Be Positive - we should go out and judge together!
Click to expand...

I used to show a little horse that was not the best looking but did give a fab ride, went all day out hunting and was often placed above something pretty that looked as if it would stop at the first puddle or muddy gateway:)

As a judge, which I dont do very often the ride a horse gives can sometimes be very enlightening, they do not always feel as good as they look and vice versa.
 
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