Working Hunter show help please!!!!!!

[aliceeventing131]

Hi, i need some help on the rules, turnout and what classes to enter. Iv recently got a lovely 14.3hh piebald lightweight cob on loan who is trimmed/mane and tail pulled. After spending the past few years show jumping at my riding school (i will do small local show jumping unaffiliated with my loan pony) I would like to try some working hunter classes, but i have no clue on any of the rules! i know some basic turnout things like they have leather browbands and thick nosebands, dark girths and i think you can wear long boots too, and i think a black plain show jacket with a tie or stock is acceptable. I am not sure on what classes my pony will be eligable for, only some basic idea. If anyone could give me some turnout tips, some advice on what classes to enter and some show tips and jumping tips i would be soooo grateful, as i cant go into the arena without knowing what to do! thank you

 

[aliceeventing131]

I was also wondering if you could tell me what the judges look for and what happens in the arena

 

[animal]

I'm going to do some whp with my loan next month, my first whp.
In an ideal world, it think it's right to wear (green) tweed. Also it's "correct" to wear spurs (can be dummy spurs) for horses.
The judges seem to like a "hunting pace", ie not a v.bouncy short striding sj canter, one covering more ground but still powerfull.
Plaits should be sewn in.
Can wear any tack with a snaffle or 2 rein pelham. However, this cannot be altered for the showing section, only boots (which have to be taken off).
I've heard you can oil your horse's chestnuts too?!
Get your pony used to water jumps, rustic fences. Sometimes they even put rubber ducks into the water!
Showing (afterwards for the people with clear rounds, or those with a good round but a silly knockdown), i think you go round in the group for a bit, then do some sort of short individual show. This includes a controlled gallop, or fast canter.

It's not that your pony has had to hunt, it's their eligibility to...
Will be watching this thread, as i don't really have much knowledge, just been reading previous posts and magazine articles. Alot of what i have just said is important for higher levels, but i'm not too sure on what is expected loacaly tbh.

 

[indigosplat]

I've done working hunter at local level and so far I've worn:

You:

Black hat (blue or brown is also ok)
Brown/green tweed jacket (any colour tweed, or even a plain showjumping jacket i've seen people in)
Pale yellow shirt (or pale blue or white - match the tweed)
Green or gold tie (again match your tweed/jacket)
Beige jods (canary are also fine)
Tall black boots (match your hat usually) if you're under 16 they need to be short boots
Carry a leather cane or leather short whip
Spurs (you can have blunt)

Horse:

Workmanship like tack (no blingy )
GP saddle (brown)
Snaffle bridle
Mane plaited and sewn or banded in (or hogged)
Tail plaited or hogged though I've left mine the last few times and had her mane down too and no ones said anything and half the other people hadn't plaited either, think it depends on the judge, and type of show you go to. If you have a native breed you don't have to plait anyway.

You go in and jump your round, judge is looking for a nice active canter and powerful jump, doesn't matter about speed but just look like you're moving on. She wants the horse to look like it could hunt all day and not get tired or stressy. Then if you get clear or if all your class just have 4/8 or whatever faults then you go back in in a group for the show.

The judge will usually ask for you all to walk as a group then maybe trot and canter as a group, possibly on both reins, sometimes on just one. make sure you're crowded in and can show your horse off the best, circle away if needed. Make sure your horse is used to cantering in a group without messing around or similar.

Then you'll be lined up and you'll do an individual show. Plan this and practice before hand. You should walk up to the judge when she calls you out then she usually will ask you to walk away (make sure you're straight!) then trot back (do a little curve at the end of your walk so you can circle neatly without the horse falling in and you'll be straight for your trot) Try to trot at the judge, she'll move, she wants to see how straight you are.

pheww..

right..

then you need to start your show, I usually do a figure 8 in trot (watch your diagonals) then canter a figure of 8 (change leg!) on both reins. If you can do flying changes that helps and maybe a walk to canter or something, some people do rein back but only do these if you know your horse can do them perfectly. You need to also do an extended canter/gallop, usually up the long side and try to do it going up the incline if there is one, makes your horse look better! When you've done, halt (squarely) in front of judge and salute and smile then take your place back in line-up and watch everyone else! Judges are looking for obedience, turnout, a nice contact and not too long a show! you don't want them bored! hehe

think thats it!

and as for other classes, maybe post a picture of your horse and forumy people can give you some ideas?from what you say, depending on how lightweight he is you could do ridden horse? or coloured classes or even cob classes..

never heard about the oiled chestnuts btw. lol

 

[be positive]

In WHP classes [pony classes] spurs are NOT allowed.
Ideally rider should wear tweed jacket/navy hat but at local level wear what you have, if you get into it more buy new then.
Shirt and tie [ not too loud ]
Long boots on 15 hander.
Brown leather gloves, carry a short dark stick for jumping/cane for flat phase.
Tack should be traditional ie.brown, plain with no bling!
Small discrete numnah to match the saddle.
Any bit your pony goes well in is allowed,martingale also ok.
The pony should be plaited /trimmed /tail should be pulled.

You could also do ridden coloured/family pony classes.
Good luck.

 

[SmallHunter]

Rider Turnout

Tweed jacket brown or green are most common. Plain navy or black jackets are incorrect.

Navy velvet hat brown is also acceptable but black is not correct. No scrunchies and a hairnet must be worn.

Pastel coloured shirt with a tie and tie pin, if your jacket has an overcheck match the tie to this.

Cream or beige jodphurs (avoid canary for WH)

Long black boots even if you are under 16 as you are in a horse class.

Brown gloves and cane.


Horse Turnout

Plaited mane and pulled tail.

Any bit that your horse jumps well in but they must also go well in it on the flat as no change of tack is allowed between the jumping phase and show section.

Preferably a straight cut WH saddle.

Boots can be worn for the jumping phase but they must be removed for the show section and should be plain and neat.



If you go clear you will be asked back in to do the show section where you will start with the go round. You will all walk trot and canter around together starting on the right rein and you should also be asked to gallop.

Then you will be pulled in and asked to do an individual show. I do this The most important part for a WH is the gallop. Keep it simple things like flying changes aren't done in showing WH's

 

[indigosplat]

Forgotten about the non visible or no numnah bit and hair netted hair! and I know a lot of things arn't considered correct but I've been beaten in the show bit after going clear (and yes I am a little bitter.. lol) by people on horses done up for showjumping in blingy bridles, coloured numnahs, black showjumping jackets, white jods, they whole thing so it definitely depends on your venue and the judge..

 

[aliceeventing131]

im hoping to do the show at local level, but if it goes well i would really consider doing trailblazers working hunter as that is very cost effective and we are paying pretty much our limits just having my wonderful mare, although my birthday is coming up soon so i usually get around 100 to spend on things from family and friends, maybe more if i am lucky. I will get a tweed jacket, except it has to be one of ebay in afraid as i cant afford a new expensive one, does it have to be green tweed or can it be a black or grey tweed, as those are the cheapest ones i can find. I will also have to find a new hat for my birthday as i have a skull one with a black velvet hat cover but that is getting too small for me so my mom has agreed to get me a new one. should i wear long boots or short boots with jodhpurs clips?? i have the clips and black short boots but i have a pair of shires gaiters too, im 13 btw and im guessing as my mare is 14.3hh not 14.2hh she would be eligable for horse classes, but as im only 13 im not sure about that

 

[ArcticFox]

Great info so far, I just wanted to add. after your show when you line up, the next rider comes out to do their show until all have performed. After this the judge usually expects you to have taken off the saddle and will call you to bring your horse out to stand in front while they walk around looking at conformation. then you need to walk away and trot back. it is important that you can get your horse to trot in hand.

usually your groom comes in to help you strip the horse, then wipes under saddle, etc after you have trotted up, you go back in line and tack up and pop back on. once all this has finished, the judge/steward will get everyone to walk around and will call numbers of the placings.

not sure if this happens in ponies but I would expect it would.

 

[MissSBird]

If you're going to buy a tweed you would be better waiting, competing with your current jacket and saving up for a green, brown or mustard tweed than buying a black, grey or blue tweed. They look unprofessional.

If you need to get a skull cap it will do until you can save up for a velvet/flesh strap one. Just get a navy, green or brown velvet skull cap to match with your jacket.

Which class is a difficult one. You will need to read schedules carefully for each show.

Some local shows do a basic working hunter pony class for 14.2hh and under, and a horse class for over 14.2hh. In these you will be restricted to the horse classes, and will need to read carefully. Not every show will let a child compete a horse.

Others base it on the county classes. At 14.3hh, your horse counts as a pony as hunter ponies go up to 15hh. At these shows you will need to do working hunter pony classes.

For both horse classes and 15hh hunter pony classes you should wear long boots, though short boots with gaiters are acceptable.

 

[aliceeventing131]

iv found a used tweed jacket for a tenner on ebay, depends if i win the bidding or not! ill just keep looking for a jacket on ebay, save up for the hat and some new jodhpurs (mine have a stain on) im only going to buy a cheap jacket for my first local level show, but if all goes to plan i will probably do trailblazers, much cheaper than the BSPS type shows, i seem to remember there being two different classes depending on the height of the horse, but i will speak to the owner of my loan mare as she knows the show ground very well and has been taking her there for years. after watching a few working hunter videos iv noticed she has a very simuler way of going and she really bends her knees to, no short bouncy show jumping canter its more of a ground swallowing but careful type wish me luck! keep the tips/info coming though, ill need them