CLASSES
Classic Hunter
A show hunter is judged on jumping style, way of going, manners and ability to maintain an even pace over a course of at least eight fences. These are naturally styled with easy take off type fences with simple verticals and oxers and are of appearance such as pickets, natural rails, brushes and small walls. Courses are designed to favour smoothness, accuracy and a flowing performance. Riders do not walk the courses because they know what the distances will be from the course plan and there will be no surprises.
Criteria For Classic Show Hunter - Over Fences
The requirements include not only smooth riding, but as close to total control as possible. The horse/pony should jump out of an even stride, arriving at each fence on an even, smooth, flowing stride without a noticeable adjustment from the rider or any quick, choppy strides or long plunging strides before take-off. All strides between fences on lines should be of equal length. A good round should look like it was a quiet, relaxed pleasure for both horse and rider, with no signs of tenseness or insecurity. Take-off spot – it is primarily the job of the rider to guide their horse to the most ideal take-off spot by judging and subtly adjusting the pace and length of stride. Theoretically, the ideal take-off and landing spots are as far away from the base of the fence as the fence is high making a symmetrical arc or parabola. Horses’ knees should be tidy, even and above the horizontal from elbow to knee (not so important that the lower legs from the knees to the hoof to be folded tight to the forearm, but should be clearing the fence generously).
Bascule – the horse’s top-line should be a proper bascule, head down, neck rounded into loose (not stiff) shoulders, back following arc of jump (straight across fence, not diving to either side) with the hindquarters tipping up generously to follow the same arc, hind legs trailing neatly behind without twisting to either side or jerking up towards the belly.
Landing – should be smooth, without head throwing, reefing, bucking or scooting off, and the horse should stay in rhythm throughout the entire course.
Equitation
These classes are judged on the rider’s style and ability and not the horse’s jumping ability. The round must still be as smooth and seamless as possible. Courses are usually more technical and test the rider's aptitude for adjustment, schooling and self-discipline. These classes are recognised by way of a national series but they do not accrue points for either NZ High Points or HOY qualifying. This class is judged solely on the rider and their ability to accurately follow course plans and the course designers instructions. Classes are usually grouped in ages.
Equitation over fences – jumped over a shortened show hunter course that requires greater technical ability. Riders may be asked to perform a variety of tests – for example jump a fence from a trot or drop their stirrups and jump a fence.
Equitation under saddle – on the flat, riders will be asked to perform a variety of movements on the flat – for example sitting trot or lengthening of stride.
Show Hunter Medal Equitation classes – these are a two part competition. Firstly all competitors perform over fences. Secondly the top ten riders are called back to perform a test under saddle. JNZ Development Medal Classes are Equitation classes run in the jumping ring and are used as a transition between the two disciplines. She the Show Hunter rules for more detail.
Handy Hunter
The handy hunter is a horse that is easy to manoeuvre round the course with a little bit more adaptability than a regular show hunter round. The judge will want to see a horse that can handle tighter turns easily and take some options while being responsive. It is still a hunter class judged on style, pace and quality of the jump.
Judges place emphasis on promptness, tight turns and adaptability while not sacrificing performance and style. Horses that show adaptability for additional elements should be rewarded, if it is done well – for example cantering straight to the first fence without circling, easily coming down to walk at the end of the round without circling, riding an inside turn, riding transition to trot closer to the tort fence rather than further away.
A handy hunter is required to show ‘handiness’, which is defined as – time and ground saving movement incorporating promptness, tighter corners, roll back turns, jumping fences on angles or using clever approaches without adversely affecting performance or style but showing adaptability and rideability.
A show hunter is judged on jumping style, way of going, manners and ability to maintain an even pace over a course of at least eight fences. These are naturally styled with easy take off type fences with simple verticals and oxers and are of appearance such as pickets, natural rails, brushes and small walls. Courses are designed to favour smoothness, accuracy and a flowing performance. Riders do not walk the courses because they know what the distances will be from the course plan and there will be no surprises.
Criteria For Classic Show Hunter - Over Fences
The requirements include not only smooth riding, but as close to total control as possible. The horse/pony should jump out of an even stride, arriving at each fence on an even, smooth, flowing stride without a noticeable adjustment from the rider or any quick, choppy strides or long plunging strides before take-off. All strides between fences on lines should be of equal length. A good round should look like it was a quiet, relaxed pleasure for both horse and rider, with no signs of tenseness or insecurity. Take-off spot – it is primarily the job of the rider to guide their horse to the most ideal take-off spot by judging and subtly adjusting the pace and length of stride. Theoretically, the ideal take-off and landing spots are as far away from the base of the fence as the fence is high making a symmetrical arc or parabola. Horses’ knees should be tidy, even and above the horizontal from elbow to knee (not so important that the lower legs from the knees to the hoof to be folded tight to the forearm, but should be clearing the fence generously).
Bascule – the horse’s top-line should be a proper bascule, head down, neck rounded into loose (not stiff) shoulders, back following arc of jump (straight across fence, not diving to either side) with the hindquarters tipping up generously to follow the same arc, hind legs trailing neatly behind without twisting to either side or jerking up towards the belly.
Landing – should be smooth, without head throwing, reefing, bucking or scooting off, and the horse should stay in rhythm throughout the entire course.
Equitation
These classes are judged on the rider’s style and ability and not the horse’s jumping ability. The round must still be as smooth and seamless as possible. Courses are usually more technical and test the rider's aptitude for adjustment, schooling and self-discipline. These classes are recognised by way of a national series but they do not accrue points for either NZ High Points or HOY qualifying. This class is judged solely on the rider and their ability to accurately follow course plans and the course designers instructions. Classes are usually grouped in ages.
Equitation over fences – jumped over a shortened show hunter course that requires greater technical ability. Riders may be asked to perform a variety of tests – for example jump a fence from a trot or drop their stirrups and jump a fence.
Equitation under saddle – on the flat, riders will be asked to perform a variety of movements on the flat – for example sitting trot or lengthening of stride.
Show Hunter Medal Equitation classes – these are a two part competition. Firstly all competitors perform over fences. Secondly the top ten riders are called back to perform a test under saddle. JNZ Development Medal Classes are Equitation classes run in the jumping ring and are used as a transition between the two disciplines. She the Show Hunter rules for more detail.
Handy Hunter
The handy hunter is a horse that is easy to manoeuvre round the course with a little bit more adaptability than a regular show hunter round. The judge will want to see a horse that can handle tighter turns easily and take some options while being responsive. It is still a hunter class judged on style, pace and quality of the jump.
Judges place emphasis on promptness, tight turns and adaptability while not sacrificing performance and style. Horses that show adaptability for additional elements should be rewarded, if it is done well – for example cantering straight to the first fence without circling, easily coming down to walk at the end of the round without circling, riding an inside turn, riding transition to trot closer to the tort fence rather than further away.
A handy hunter is required to show ‘handiness’, which is defined as – time and ground saving movement incorporating promptness, tighter corners, roll back turns, jumping fences on angles or using clever approaches without adversely affecting performance or style but showing adaptability and rideability.