Hunt seat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hunt seat refers to a style of English-type forward seat riding commonly found at American horse shows, and is a classic form of riding based on the tradition of fox hunting. Hunt seat is usually divided into show hunter classes, which judge the horse's movement and form, and equitation classes, which judge the rider's ability.
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[edit] Popularity
Hunt seat is an extremely popular form of riding in the United States, headed under the USHJA (United States Hunter/Jumper Association) and the United States Equestrian Federation. It is also popular in Canada. While hunt seat showing is not an Olympic discipline, many show jumping competitors began by riding in the hunter divisions, before moving up to the more technical jumper divisions.
[edit] The horse
See also Show hunter
[edit] Show hunter mount
Horses used hunter classes are called show hunters, and are judged on their movement, way of going, manners, and jumping form. Hunt seat equitation classes judge the rider only, including his or her position on the flat and over fences and overall effectiveness while riding.
Horses may be of any breed, although those of Thoroughbred and Warmblood type are most common. Regardless of breed, the horse should have a long stride with little knee movement, good jumping form with great bascule, and should be well-mannered. For top level competition, movement and jumping form become increasingly important should the rider wish to win.
[edit] Equitation mount
In equitation classes, the rider's position and communication is judged rather than the qualities of her horse. Therefore, it is not imperative that the horse has excellent movement or jumping form, or especially good manners while being ridden. However, the best mounts make the rider's job as easy as possible.
The ideal equitation mount has less bascule then the show hunter, because it is easier for a rider to maintain her correct jumping position on a "flatter" jumper that will not throw her up out of the saddle. The horse does not have to have pretty form over fences, but should still jump safely and not carelessly rub rails. The movement of the equitation horse is generally more collected than the flat-moving show hunter, which allows the rider to better adjust the stride for tricky combinations.
Although temperament is not judged, a horse with a more tractable temperament is generally easier to ride, and can therefore help the rider demonstrate her skill.
[edit] Differences between show jumpers, show hunters, and equitation
[edit] Courses
The most notable difference between hunters and jumpers is the technicality of the courses. Show jumping courses are generally much more difficult, because they include several combination fences with several obstacles in a row, which requires the horse to be extremely adjustable, and have sharp turns and several changes of direction. Hunter courses generally have several strides between fences and wide turns between lines. Additionally, the jumpers have much higher fences, up to 5-5'6" in Grand Prix show jumping, and up to 7-7'6" in puissance (high jump) classes, with a much greater width. Show hunters, on the other hand, are only shown over fences that are 3'6" to 4' in height, even at the highest levels.
Equitation courses are more technical than show hunter courses, which helps to test the rider's skill. They may include combinations, tight turns, and odd distances between fences. However, these courses only reach 3'6" in height at the highest competitive level.
[edit] Obstacles
The fences used in show hunter courses are designed to be very natural in appearance, to simulate a natural cross-country hunting course. The poles and standards of the fences are usually natural wood or painted a conservative color, such as white or brown. Water obstacles are not included.
Obstacles used in jumper competition are anything but natural in appearance, often brightly colored and sometimes even deliberately designed to look "scary." These courses usually include an open water or "liverpool" obstacle, and may also have varied terrain with fences on the top or bottom of a bank, or with a ditch under an obstacle.
Equitation obstacles, though more complex in layout than a hunter course, are usually more conservative in design than jumper obstacles, more closely following those of the hunter courses.
[edit] Scoring
Both equitation and show hunters are judged subjectively. It is the judge who decides which combination had the smoothest round and displayed a ride most closely to the ideal. This can make judging difficult to follow for the neophyte rider, and can sometimes cause riders to feel that the judge did not place them correctly in the standings.
Unlike the subjective scoring of the hunters, show jumping horses are simply penalized by scoring "faults" if they knock down or refuse obstacles, or if they exceed the optimum time. The horse may therefore jump in unorthodox form, take off from a poor spot, or rub a rail without any penalty. This objective scoring makes show jumping very easy to follow.
[edit] Speed
Speed is not judged in show hunter or equitation classes. Therefore, a slow, steady canter is seen in show hunter courses, and a steady, but perhaps slightly faster, canter in equitation courses. In show jumping, the rider may be penalized for going over the time. Therefore, a steady gallop is used in jumper classes. Hunter classes have no jump-offs, horses are placed based on their performance in a single round. Jumper classes are not judged on anything but time and clear obstacles, so to select a winner, a jump-off round is often required. In the jump-off, the fastest clean round wins, so all riders push their mounts to the limit.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] Type of class
- Flat classes: The horse is judged "on the flat," meaning jumping is not involved. In show hunter classes, the horse's movement and manners are judged. In equitation classes, the rider's position, seat, and aids are judged. Horses are shown at the walk, trot, and canter. In some classes, backing up, an extended trot or a hand gallop may also be required.
- Pleasure classes: A type hunter flat class where 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."
- Over-fences classes: The horse is judged over a course of fences. In show hunter classes, particular attention is paid to the horse's jumping form, the fluidity of the course, and its take-off spot for each fence on the course. The judge also looks for clean flying changes, good movement, and a calm ride. In equitation classes, the rider is judged over a course of fences, with attention focused on her position between and while over a jump, her ability to get her horse to the right take-off spot, and her choice of line between fences.
- Equitation classes: Judge the rider on the flat or over fences, including the rider's position and their overall effectiveness.
- Model classes or In-Hand classes: Unmounted classes where the horse is presented to the judge in only a bridle. The animal's conformation is judged, as well as their movement and soundness.
[edit] Horse restricted classes
- Pony classes: Are designated by the height of the pony. Includes small pony (12.2 hh or smaller), medium pony (larger than 12.2 to 13.2 hh) and large pony (13.2 hh to 14.2 hh) classes. 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'.
- 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 often shown by a professional.
[edit] Rider restricted classes
- 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 older or more experienced riders. Fences are usually 3' in the children's and adult amateur classes. Modified junior and Amateur classes are a step up, at 3'3". The highest levels for both age groups are the junior and amateur owner 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.
- Maiden, Novice and Limit classes: Classes limited to horses or riders who have not won one, three or six first place (blue) ribbons in a given division.
- Adult Amateur and Professional divisions: these classes are designed to separate the less-experienced amateurs on older, steady horses from professional riders on young or green mounts.
[edit] Required tack
[edit] Hunter classes
Hunter classes (both under-saddle and over fences) are ridden in a jumping saddle, usually of brown leather, with a plain girth and a saddle-shaped pad. The bridle is simple, with a plain cavesson(any type of noseband other than a plain cavesson is prohibited) and a simple, unadorned browband. Bitting should also be simple, with riders usually using a Dee-ring snaffle, although full-cheek and eggbutt snaffles are also popular. The horses may be penalized if their bit is anything stronger than a snaffle, as this is a sign of poor manners. This basic tack demonstrates that the hunter is easy to ride and attentive and responsive to his rider.
Some hunters also wear a standing martingale when jumping, especially if they tend to throw their heads. Though seen in jumper classes, a running martingale is not allowed on a hunter when showing. Almost all shows require martingales to be taken off during flat classes.
[edit] Equitation classes
Because equitation classes judge the rider rather than the horse, a slightly stronger bit may be used without penalty. Pelham bits are currently (as of 2006) popular. If a horse is ridden in a pelham, the rider must use two sets of reins, as a bit converter is illegal. The rest of the tack that is used is similar to that of hunter classes.
[edit] Breed classes
In some breed-specific shows, other types of bit, such as the Kimberwicke, are sometimes legal, but are not considered "classic" hunt seat bits, and riders moving from breed-specific to open competition are sometimes penalized severely if they use non-traditional equipment in open competition.
[edit] Turn-out of the horse
Hunter and equitation horses should have braided manes while showing, and braiding is a must for rated competition. If braiding is not possible, the mane should be pulled neatly and lie on one side of the horses neck. The dock of the tail should also be braided into a "French" style braid, which runs the length of the tailbone, with the remainder of the tail allowed to flow freely. In the United States, the tail should not be "banged" (cut straight across to an even length), though banged tails are sometimes seen in Europe.
Horses usually have any long body hair trimmed short, particularly around the fetlocks, jaw, and ears. In some breeds and in some places, it is common to trim muzzle whiskers as well. Many exhibitors also trim a small "bridle path" by shaving a few inches of mane right behind the ears. The horse are usually bathed the day before a show, blanketed overnight so they stay clean, then braided and thoroughly groomed the day of the competition prior to entering the ring.
[edit] Rider attire
The hunt seat rider should always be dressed conservatively. Usually, the rider wears beige, tan or gray breeches and a navy, gray, or dark brown hunt coat. Some years, patterns that appear solid at a distance, such as pinstripes, faint plaids or herringbone, are popular.
The rider should always have an ASTM/SEI-approved helmet. Although black velvet hunt caps were once popular, many hunt seat riders are leaving behind the velvet-covered hunt cap in favor of a new design characterized by a broad visor, a silver ventilation strip down the center, and a hair-catching cloth at the back. (The ventilation strip has given this style of helmet the tongue-in-cheek nickname, "skunk helmet).
Dark gloves should be worn. Children may wear either brown or black jodhpur boots (sometimes called "paddock boots"). Riders 13 years or older should wear tall, black field boots.
The show shirt, sometimes called a ratcatcher, is a button up shirt with a stand-up collar covered by a separate, matching choker or a stock tie, the final look usually resembling that of a turtleneck. The shirts are usually white or light-colored, coordinated with the colors in the hunt coat. Traditionally these shirts were long-sleeved, but today are more often short-sleeved or sleeveless. Stock pins are sometimes worn on the stock tie or choker, although the most recent fashion has been to embroider the rider's initials on collar. Different colors of jackets and shirts are also being experimented with: where a few years back there were only white shirts with dark coats to be seen, riders are now wearing tan or grey coats with shirts in move vivid pastel shades like green, orange, pink, lavender, and blue.
In jumper classes with fences below 3'6", it is becoming acceptable in some regions for competitors to wear any collared shirt, like a polo shirt, especially when more comfortable during warm weather than the traditional wool hunt coat and long sleeved ratcatcher.
