Im going in a horse show this upcoming weekend, and its my first show ever. Im debating which classes to go in, and Hunter Under Saddle was listed. I know its just a flat class, but what do they judge you on?
Thanks a ton :)
Anonymous
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They are judging your horse. It is just suppose to be your horse but obviously a capable rider will draw the judges attention and show their horse to the best possible ability.
The hunter under saddle should be suitable to purpose. A hunter should move in a long, low frame and have the ability to increase its stride and cover ground with ease in a flowing movement. Those moving in an artificial frame with quick, short or choppy strides are not desirable. The hunter should have an interested expression
and an alert eye. Hunters must be obedient and should willingly respond to cues of the rider. When asked to extend the trot or for a hand gallop, they should move forward strongly with appropriate forward impulsion. To obtain sufficient impulsion from the hindquarter, the poll should be level with or slightly above the withers. The
face should either be on or slightly ahead of the vertical.
The hunter under saddle is shown at all three gaits both ways of the arena. Horses are reversed to the inside or away from the rail. The judge may ask for a hand gallop and may ask the horse to halt and stand quietly on a free rein. Horses may be asked to change gaits at the flat-footed walk or the trot. Upward or downward transitions should be smooth. Horses should back easily and stand quietly. There should be light consistent contact on the horse's mouth.
Basicly that want the horse to have a big stride with a lot of push from behind and in a 'long and low' frame.
Here is the AQHA's thing for HUS: http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/ag/other/fs9608.pdf
I copied some stuff from it but it has lots of other good info on it. It will give you a good idea of what most judges (even hunter judges) are looking for.
Be sure to remember these things:
- Don't fuss with your horses head if you have not worked with him to go into a frame. NO SAWING ON YOUR PONY'S MOUTH! Some judges will not count off for it but its not good for your horse's mouth.
- Don't run your horse around the ring. If he was not been taught to push from the back and have a nice trot/canter then don't make him look even more stung out by runnint him around the ring
- sit pretty! the judge might not be judging you but a first impression lasts. If you come in the ring riding sloppy, a judge won't forget it. That impression could last right into your Eq. class
- don't do a hand gallop if your horse will get wild for the rest of the class. Just pick up a canter and stay on the rail. Its not worth killing your work to the other direction and being unsafe just to get a hand gallop (that is done incorrectly by almost every one at the lower levels)
GOOD LUCKKKKK!!!!!!!!
EDIT: Ok, I tried to find a picture or video that showed a nice hunter under saddle horse that wasn't an AQHA HUS but you can look for yourself and see whats winning where.
Anonymous
hunter under saddle is judging the movement of your horse on the flat. you want to make your horslook as easy as possible to ride, which is why it's called hunter; in order for you to be able to concentrate on the 'hunt' or task at hand, then you need to have an obedient, well behaved horse.
good luck!
Anonymous
how well of a mover you horse/pony is... correct leads and diagonals.... and a even low head set.