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Hunt seat riding is based on Fox Hunting , and the show horses have many similarities to those of Field Hunter s.

Hunt seat is an extremely popular form of riding in the United States, and is headed under the USHJA (United States Hunter/Jumper Association). While hunt seat showing is not an Olympic discipline, many Show Jumpers began by riding in the hunter divisions, before moving up to the more technical jumper divisions.

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DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SHOW JUMPERS AND SHOW HUNTERS

Although show jumping riders often get their start by riding show hunters, show jumping requires a completely different type of riding. This is mainly due to the scoring system and the course seen in the show jumping arena. Jumps are considerably higher in show jumping, with 3 feet at the lower levels, 5-5'6" in Grand Prix show jumping, and up to 7-7'6" in Puissance (high jump) classes. Hunters generally never show any higher than 3'6" to 4'. The widths of fences are much greater in show jumping as well. Fences are often brightly colored and "scary", and usually include an Open Water or Liverpool Obstacle . Show jumping may also have varied terrain, including fences on the top or bottom of a bank.

Judging of show jumpers is less subjective, with the fastest clear round winning. Show hunters, however, are judged on form, movement, and their fluidity around the course of jumps, the judge has the final word deciding the winner.

The most notable difference is the technicality of show jumping courses, which often include great change in stride length, requiring the horse to be extremely adjustable. Turns may be sharp, and combinations are often difficult, with tight distances and several obstacles in a row.


THE CLASSES

Classes of hunt seat riding are often divided by the horse and rider's ability, the rider's age, the height of the horse or pony, and the requirements of the horse in that class.

  • Pleasure classes: the horse's manners and suitability for the rider is a more important fact than its movement. The horse should look like it is "a pleasure to ride."


  • Flat classes: the horse's movement is more important in the judging of flat classes, although way of going and manners are also considered while judging. Horses are shown at the walk, trot, and canter.


  • Over-fences classes: the horse's jumping form and the way it meets the fences of the course are the most important factors in judging, as well as its flying changes, movement, and the fluidity of the course. Manners are usually secondary in judging.


  • Equitation classes: judge the rider on the flat or over fences, including the rider's position and their overall effectiveness. The horse does not have to be as stellar jumper as in the over fences classes, and usually equitation horses jump "flatter", with less of a bascule, so as not to throw the rider out of position as she jumps.


  • Model classes: the Conformation of the horse is judged, as well as their movement and soundness. The horse is not ridden in the model class, but rather lead with a bridle.


  • Pony classes: designated by the height of the pony. Includes small ponies (12.2 hh or smaller), medium ponies (larger than 12.2 to 13.2 hh) and large ponies (13.2 hh to 14.2 hh). The jump heights in the over fences pony classes are proportionate to the height of the pony, with small ponies jumping 2'3", mediums jumping 2'6", and large ponies with fence heights of 3'.


  • Short stirrup, long stirrup, and green/novice rider divisions: These classes are for the most inexperienced riders. Short stirrup classes are usually for riders 12 and under, long stirrup classes are for those 14 and younger, although age varies between shows. Fence heights in these divisions are usually 2'. Green or novice rider divisions have courses set at 2'6".


  • Children, junior, and adult classes: are for the more experienced rider. Fences are usually 3' in the children's and adult classes. Modified junior and Amateur classes are a step up, at 3'3". The highest level for both age groups are the junior and adult amateur divisions, with fence heights of 3'6". These classes may be further divided by height of horse into Large (16 hh+) and Small (under 16 hh), or by age of the rider, usually into 14 and under, 15-17 yrs, 18-35 yrs, and 36+.


  • Walk/trot classes: are for beginner riders, requiring the rider only to execute the walk and trot. These classes are not always offered at the higher-rated shows.


  • Beginner rider classes: open to riders who have just begun showing. The rider may become ineligible for this class after one or two years of showing, or after winning a certain number of classes. These classes are not always offered at the higher-rated shows.


  • Adult Amateur and Professional divisions: these classes are designed to separate the less-experienced amateurs from the professions on their young or green mounts.


  • Baby-, Pre-, First- and Second-year Green: the classes are for inexperienced horses. Baby-green classes usually have a jump height of 2'6", pre-green have a height of 3', first-year green have fences set at 3'6", and second-year green have a fence height of 3'9".


  • Regular: for the experienced horse and rider combination. Fences are 4' in height, and the horse is usually shown by a professional.



REQUIRED TACK

Hunter classes (both under-saddle and over fences classes) are ridden in a close contact saddle, usually of brown leather, with a plain girth and a saddle-shaped pad. The bridle is simple: usually consisting of a D-ring, although occasionally a full-cheek or egg-butt, Snaffle Bit , with a plain Cavesson . The horses are penalized if the bit is anything stronger than a snaffle. The horse should not use any type of Noseband other than a plain cavesson. This basic tack is to demonstrate that the hunter is easy to ride and attentive and responsive to his rider.

Some hunters also wear a Standing Martingale , if they tend to throw their heads. A running martingale should not be used on a hunter when showing. Most shows require martingales to be taken off during flat classes.

Equitation horses may use a slightly stronger bit, as the horse is not being judged on its manners, and Pelham s are often popular. If a pelham is used, it should be used with two reins. The rest of the tack that is used is similar to that of hunter classes.

All hunter and equitation horses should have braided manes while showing. If this is not possible, the mane must be "pulled" (trimmed) neatly and lie on the correct side of the horses neck. (For most horses, it is the left side, but a few breeds may be required to let the mane fall naturally.) Tail braiding is less common, but it still makes a nice finished picture, which is ALWAYS popular with judges. The horse should be bathed the day before the show and groomed the day of.


THE RIDER'S ATTIRE

The hunt seat rider should always be dressed conservatively. Usually, the rider wears beige or tan breeches and a navy, gray, dark brown or black hunt coat. The rider should always have a velvet-covered helmet, black gloves, and either brown or black jodhpur boots for children, or tall, black field boots for those 13 years or older. The show shirt, sometimes called a ratcatcher, is a button up shirt with a separate collar, impressionistic to that of a turtleneck. The shirts are often coordinated with the colors in the hunt coat. Stock pins are sometimes worn on the collar of the shirt, although the most recent fashion has been to embroider the rider's initials on collar.

In past years, less-traditional attire has become more chic. Many top huntseat riders are leaving behind the velvet-covered huntcap in favor of the GPA and IRH brands of helmet, which is characterized by a broad visor, a silver ventilation strip down the center, and a hair-catching cloth at the back. Different colors are also being experimented with: where a few years back there were only white shirts with navy or green coats to be seen, riders are now moving into the area of tan or grey coats with pastel greens, oranges, pinks, and blues. Everything below the waist, however, has virtually stayed the same: beige or tan breeches with either black/brown paddock boots for children and tall black field boots for older riders.