Hunter Under Saddle

The purpose of the hunter under saddle horse 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.

1. The walk is a natural, flat-footed, four-beat gait. The walk must be alert, with a stride of reasonable length in keeping with the size of the horse. The horse must move straight, true and forward at the walk. Loss of forward rhythmic movement shall be penalized. A good walk has a flowing-four beat gait, level topline, relaxed and is bright and attentive.
2. The trot is a smooth, ground-covering two-beat diagonal gait. The horse works from one pair of diagonals to the other pair. The trot should be square, balanced and with straight, forward movement of the feet. Horses walking with their back feet and trotting in the front are not considered performing the required gait. The trot is comprised of long, low, ground-covering, cadenced and balanced strides. Smoothness is more essential than speed. The knees should remain relatively flat, exhibiting minimal flexion. Short, quick strides and/or extreme speed shall be penalized. When asked to extend the trot, there should be a definite lengthening of the stride. An excellent jog appears as an effort less and efficient motion. The horse swings the legs yet touches the ground softly. They are confident, yet soft with their motion while being balanced and under control. The horse moves flat with the knee and hock and has some cushion in the pastern. They have a bright and alert expression and exhibits a high degree of lift and self-carriage.
3. The canter is an easy, rhythmical three-beat gait. Horses moving to the left should lope on the left lead. Horses moving to the right should lope on the right lead. Horses traveling at a four-beat gait are not considered to be performing at a proper lope. The horse should canter with a natural stride and appear relaxed and smooth. The stride should be long, low and ground covering. It should be ridden at a speed that is a natural way of going. Excessive speed is to be penalized. The head should be carried at an angle which is natural and suitable to the horse's conformation at all gaits. Over-collected four-beat canter is to be penalized. An excellent canter has a round back with an effortless, strong, deep stride with the rear legs and a flat swing with the front legs. They keep a level top-line, a relaxed yet alert and confident appearance and is correct but soft. Horse exhibits a high degree of lift and self-carriage.
4. The hand gallop should be a definite lengthening of the stride with a noticeable difference in speed. The horse should be under control at all times and be able to halt in a smooth, balanced manner. A good hand gallop has an obvious lengthening of stride with increased speed, while still appearing smooth and controlled.
5. The back-up should be a balanced, smooth-flowing movement. The horse should back straight with self-carriage without gapping the mouth with light contact and without hesitation.

Tack and Attire

1. Refer to Hunter and Saddle Seat tack and attire requirements on pages 17-26.
2. The 4-H armband is required.
3. Approved ASTM/SEI Helmets are required.
4. Smooth mouthpieces are preferred in all snaffle bits, whether used alone or in combination.

Optional: Coats may be optional on very hot days at the discretion of the judge.

Prohibited: Martingales, dropped nosebands, tiedowns, hackamores, draw reins, boots or protective leg wraps.

Scoring Procedure

Performance of the horse and rider 80 percent

Conformation — horse to be serviceable sound 10 percent

Appointment of rider and horse 10 percent

Total 100 percent

Horses are judged on performance, apparent ability to give a good pleasure ride, manners, and conformation at the discretion of the judge.

Hunter Under Saddle or Saddle Seat English Pleasure classes may be held in combination or as separate classes. Exhibitors must wear attire that is appropriate for the style of horse being exhibited and which complies with appointment requirements. Individuals are to be judged against the standards for the particular breed or type that they most nearly represent.

Faults of the horse and rider:

• • Entries will be penalized for excessive speed, break of gait or being on wrong leads.
• Extended hooves are to be discouraged, and horses that have them may be penalized.
• Over-flexion of the head behind the vertical or head carried too low (such that poll is below withers).
• Failure to maintain light contact on the horse's mouth.
• Excessive nosing out.
• Quick, short or vertical strides.
• Stumbling
• Showing slowness in any gait, loss of forward momentum.
• Failure to take the appropriate gait when called for.
• If horse appears sullen, dull lethargic, emaciated, drawn or overly tired.

Possible Class Routines

A. Group Routine Horses are to be shown under saddle and not to jump. Horses are to be shown at a walk, trot (with rider posting), and canter. Horses are to be worked both ways of the ring at all three gaits. They shall not be asked to extend the canter. Horses are to be reversed to the inside (away from the rail). They may be required to reverse at walk or trot at the discretion of the judge but shall not be asked to reverse at the canter. Judge should ask horses to back. Horses are to stand quietly and back readily. Riders shall not be required to dismount for any reason.