Class Description
The purpose of the advanced hunter under saddle class is to present or exhibit a horse with a bright, alert expression, whose gaits show potential of being a working hunter. Therefore its gait must be free-flowing, ground covering and athletic. Hunters under saddle should be suitable to purpose. Hunters should move with long, low strides reaching forward with ease and smoothness, be able to lengthen stride and cover ground with relaxed, free-flowing movement, while exhibiting correct gaits that are of the proper cadence. The quality of the movement and the consistency of the gaits is a major consideration. Horses should be obedient, have a bright expression with alert ears, and should respond willingly to the rider with light leg and hand contact. Horses should be responsive and smooth in transition. When asked to extend the trot or hand gallop, they should move out with the same flowing motion. The poll should be level with, or slightly above, the withers to allow proper impulsion behind. The head position should be slightly in front of, or on, the vertical. Maximum credit should be given to the flowing, balanced, consistent horse that reaches forward with a ground covering stride while remaining collected and obedient throughout the prescribed pattern.
- This class will be judged on the performance, condition and conformation of the horse as well as the horse's willingness to complete the pattern in an obedient manner. Maximum credit shall be given to the flowing, balanced, willing horse.
- Horses are to be shown under saddle and are not to jump.
- No time limit.
- Each horse will work individually, performing all required maneuvers, and scored on the basis of 0 to 100, with 70 denoting an average performance.
- The rider should complete all required maneuvers in the order specified by each pattern.
- Failure to perform a required maneuver will result in a horse placing below all other horses that perform all maneuvers.
- The horse should execute all gaits according to the expectations of the hunter under saddle class with an emphasis on forward movement, free-flowing, and ground covering for all gaits. Transitions should be performed where designated, with smoothness and responsiveness.
- Patterns are to be chosen from the most recent edition of the Nebraska 4-H Horse Show and Judging Guide.