The purpose is to evaluate the ability of the hunter rider to perform various maneuvers on their horse which provides a base for natural progression to over fence classes. The communication between horse and rider through subtle cues and aids should not be obvious. Equitation is judged on the rider and their effect on the horse. Hunt seat equitation on the flat provides a base for a natural progression to over fence classes. The poll should be level with, or slightly above the withers, to allow proper impulsion behind. The head should not be carried behind the vertical, giving the appearance of intimidation, or be excessively nosed out, giving a resistant appearance.
(Rider is being judged.)
Tack and Attire
- Refer to Hunter tack and attire requirements on page 24.
- Exhibitors and judges should bear in mind that at all times entries are being judged on ability rather than on personal attire.
- Approved ASTM/SEI Helmets are required.
- The 4-H armband is required.
- Smooth mouthpieces are preferred in all snaffle bits, whether used alone or in combination.
Optional: Coats on very hot days.
Prohibited: Martingales, dropped nosebands, tiedowns, hackamores, draw reins, boots, or protective leg wraps.
Hands, Seat and Performance
General. Rider should have a workmanlike appearance, seat and hands light and supple, conveying the impression of complete control should any emergency arise.
Mounting and Dismounting. To mount, take up reins in left hand and place hand on withers. Grasp stirrup leather with right hand, insert left foot in stirrup and mount. To dismount, rider may either step down or slide down. The size of the rider must be taken into consideration.
Hands. Hands should be over and in front of horse's withers, knuckles 30 degrees inside the vertical, hands slightly apart and making a straight line from horse's mouth to rider's elbow. Method of holding reins is optional. However, all reins must be picked up at the same time.
Basic Position. The eyes should be up and shoulders back. Toes should be out at an angle best suited to rider's conformation; ankles flexed in, heels down, calves in contact with horse and slightly behind girth. Iron should be on the ball of the foot and must not be tied to the girth.
Position in Motion. At the walk and slow trot, body should be snug and vertical; posting trot, inclined forward; canter, half way between the posting trot and the walk; galloping and jumping, same inclination as in the posting trot.
Presentation of Horse. The horse's body condition and overall health and fitness should be assessed. The horse should appear fit and carry weight appropriate for the body size. A horse which appears sullen, dull, lethargic, emaciated, drawn or overly tired should be penalized according to severity.
Performance. The walk should be a 4-beat gait with the rider in a vertical position with a following hand.
- The posting trot: Figure 8 at trot, demonstrating change of diagonals. At left diagonal, rider should be sitting the saddle when left front leg is on the ground; at right diagonal rider should be sitting the saddle when right front leg is on the ground; when circling clockwise at a trot, rider should be on left diagonal; when circling counter-clockwise, rider should be on right diagonal. The rider should close their hip angle to allow their torso to follow the horizontal motion of the horse. The upper body should be inclined about 20 degrees in front of the vertical.
- Sitting trot and canter: At the sitting trot the upper body is only slightly in front of the vertical. At the canter the body should be positioned slightly more in front of the vertical. As the stride is shortened, the body should be in a slightly more erect position.
- Two-point position: The pelvis should be forward, but relaxed, lifting the rider's weight off the horse's back and transferring the weight through the rider's legs. In this position the two points of contact between horse and rider are the rider's legs. Hands should be forward, up the neck, not resting on the neck.
- Hand gallop: A three-beat, lengthened canter ridden in two-point position. The legs are on the horse's sides while the seat is held out of the saddle. When at the hand gallop, the rider's angulation will vary somewhat as the horse's stride is shortened and lengthened. A good standard at a normal hand gallop should be about 30 degrees in front of the vertical.
Possible Class Routines
A. Group Routine
- Pattern Work. The judge may ask each horse to work a pattern individually at the start of the class. These individual patterns shall be any of the maneuvers normally required in a Hunter class, such as figure eights and square stops as listed below. Horses shall be required to back in a straight line in this class. It must be remembered that, above all, a hunter horse is one that responds instantly and smoothly to all aids. Riders 14 years old and older may be asked to dismount and mount. Riders who have not reached their 14th birthday should not be required to dismount and mount. If a pattern is used, it should be posted at least one hour prior to the beginning of the class. The pattern should be one that can be completed within about 30 seconds.
- Following pattern work, horses are to be worked at least one direction on the rail at a walk, trot, and canter. The judge may choose to work riders one or both directions of the rail.
- In large classes, at the judge's discretion, only finalists may be chosen to do rail work.
- Rail Work. Not to Jump. Horses shall enter ring be judged at a walk, trot and canter. They may be worked both ways of the ring and shall always be on the correct lead. Light contact with horse's mouth is required to execute any appropriate tests included in class requirements. In large classes, only selected riders (determined from pattern work) may be asked to work on the rail.
Tests from Which Judges Must Choose
Tests may be performed either collectively or individually, but no other tests may be used. Instruction must be publicly announced. (Tests 1 through 9 on page 45). Additional tests:
- Pick up reins
- Back
- Figure eight at trot, demonstrating change of diagonals. At left diagonal, rider should be sitting the saddle when left front leg is on the ground; at right diagonal, rider should be sitting the saddle when right front leg is on the ground. When circling clockwise, rider should be on left diagonal; when circling counterclockwise, rider should be on right diagonal.
Scoring Procedure:
Exhibitors are to be scored from 0 to infinity, with 70 denoting an average performance. Patterns will be divided into 6 to 10 maneuvers, as specified by the judge, and each maneuver will be scored from +3 to -3 with ½ point increments acceptable that will be added or subtracted from 70. Maneuver scores should be determined independent of penalties, and should reflect equal consideration of both performance of the exhibitor's pattern and the equitation form and effectiveness of the exhibitor to result in the following scores: +3 Excellent, +2 Very Good, +1 Good, 0 Average or Correct, -1 Poor, -2 Very Poor, -3 Extremely Poor. Exhibitors overall equitation form and effectiveness should also be scored from 0 to 5 with 0 to 2 Average, 3 Good, 4 Very Good, 5 Excellent. Exhibitors should also be judged on the rail, and their pattern score and/or ranking may be adjusted as appropriate.
Penalties: Maneuver evaluations and penalty applications are determined independently. The follow penalties will be applied for each occurrence and will be deducted from the final score:
Three (3) Points
- Break of gait at the walk or jog up to 2 strides
- Over or under turn from 1/8 to ¼ turn
- Tick or hit of cone
- Obviously looking down to check leads or diagonals
Five (5) Points
- Not performing the specific gait or not stopping within 10 feet (3 meters) of designated location
- Missing a diagonal up to 2 strides in the pattern or on the rail
- Incorrect lead or break of gait at the canter (except when correcting an incorrect lead)
- Break of gait at a walk or trot for more than 2 strides
- Complete loss of contact between rider's hand and the horse's mouth
- Loss of iron
- Head carried too low and/or clearly behind the vertical while the horse is in motion, showing the appearance of intimidation
Ten (10) Points
- Loss of rein
- Use of either hand to instill fear or praise while on pattern or during rail work
- Hold saddle with either hand
- Spurring or use of the crop in front of girth
- Blatant disobedience including kicking, pawing, bucking, and rearing
Disqualifications (should receive the lowest ribbon placing — generally white)
- Failure to display correct number in a visible manner
- Willful abuse of horse or schooling
- Fall by horse or exhibitor
- Illegal use of hands on reins
- Use of prohibited equipment
- Off pattern, including: knocking over or on wrong side of cone, never performing specified gait, lead or diagonal; overturning more than ¼ turn, shall not be disqualified, but must always place below exhibitors not incurring a disqualifying fault.