Show hunter

Any breed can be exhibited, but at the highest levels they are usually of Warmblood or Thoroughbred type, though a hunter-style pony is also seen in youth classes.

[3] They should have a long, sweeping step that covers maximum ground per minimum effort, and have a rhythmic, 12' stride at the canter.

The riders of show hunters often ride on a slightly looser rein than seen elsewhere to facilitate this type of movement, and the horse carries its head just in front of the vertical.

Horses are to be braided on the right side of the neck for hunters, using yarn or thread that matches the color of the mane.

The course of fences a show hunter must jump is usually made up of 8-12 obstacles and must be set at the required height for each division.

[1] Obstacles must simulate those found in the hunting field such as natural post and rail, brush, stone wall, white board fence or gate, chicken coop, aiken, hedge, oxer, and so on.

Banks and ditches are not found on the show hunter course, nor are any major changes in terrain, and often the horses jump on level footing in an enclosed arena.

The show hunter should maintain a good pace throughout the course of fences, but keep an even rhythm, neither speeding up nor slowing down.

A poor spot interrupts the rhythm of a course, and increases the likelihood that a horse will rub or drop a rail.

Refusals, knocked rails, or rubs over fences incur a severe drop (faults) in the rider's score.

A typical class consists of jumping over natural fences mimicking those seen on a hunt field, usually ridden at a controlled hand gallop.

[6] The field hunter's primary requirements have more to do with ability than with looks; therefore he may be any type of horse or pony which can get the job done, safely and competently for his rider.

He should be steady, tough and robust, and able to withstand the inevitable knocks, bumps, bruises, minor injuries, and sometimes falls which happen in the hunt field.

Field hunters must have the ability of "staying sane" at all times in the high excitement in a crush of galloping horses, and he should have brakes whenever he is called on, to stop quickly.

Riding safely at speed, the ability to stay under control, and attitude all play a vital role for the field hunter.

It matters not whether he looks like a peacock or a plow horse, so long as he can do the job, do it well, and bring his rider safely home at the end of the day.