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Field hunter trials are sometimes held to test these horses. Often times the horses are judged over several days of fox hunting, with the best of the group performing in the "handy hunter" class. The handy hunter class may ask for the horse and rider pair to trot a log, open and close a gate while mounted, jump several fences, and for the rider to dismount and remount. The horse is judged on its manners, way of going, as well as its suitability as a hunter.


THE FIELD HUNTER VS. THE SHOW HUNTER

Unlike the field hunter, the Show Hunter performs in a ring, usually over a course of 8-10 fences. The judging of the show hunter is based on the requirements of a horse in the hunt field, focusing on the horse's manners, movement, jumping form, rhythm, and smoothness around the course. Show hunters are usually warmblood or Thoroughbred types. They do not have to have the bravery required of the field hunter, nor do they travel over the same type of terrain, as the field or arena is usually fairly level. Although the fences in a show hunter course are usually "natural" poles and standards, as opposed to the brightly colored fences seen in Show Jumping , the show hunter course does not include rock walls, ditches, or banks that might be seen in the hunt field.

In some ways, the field hunter is more similar to a good cross-country horse seen in Eventing than a show hunter, as it must gallop and jump over varied terrain, jump ditches, coops, up and down banks, and occasionally go through water.