USEF Hunter Head Judges are answering questions about horsemanship and hunter rounds
The Hunter and Equitation Horse Show judges are speaking. Before your next horse show, step inside the minds of the most respected hunting judges in the country.
Have you always wanted to know why you didn’t win or get a ribbon? There are rules that allow only limited interaction with horse show judges at most horse shows, but now you can access the knowledge base of these judges and benefit from their expertise. Many of the United States Equestrian Federation’s top ranked judges have been interviewed and filmed. All of these judges have presided over top level hunter shows from the East Coast to the West Coast including Indoors, Palm Beach, Capitol Challenge, Harrisburg, HITS, Toronto Royal Winter Fair, Devon and many others. In addition, they are also trainers, doctors, cyclists and instructors. Now you, as an exhibitor, trainer, owner or racer, can learn from their knowledge and benefit from their experience and feedback. They have been intentionally asked specific and detailed questions to get accurate answers. The result is a virtual clinic of horsemanship and show hunter expertise.
Below are some of the thoughts that came up regarding showing hunters and hunting seat riding, and some of the questions the judges were asked:
Form follows function is the theme of good horsemanship. Many of our greatest Olympians stood out as medal winners in horsemanship. While most jockeys and trainers understand the basic riding position, there is much more to judging horsemanship than just entering a beauty pageant. It is qualifying that indefinable connection between horse and rider and evaluating good horsemanship. The judges were asked to describe the optimal attributes of a good riding position and the most important aids that contribute to a strong riding performance. The question asked was “What do you especially look for in a riding career? What are your top 3 priorities in rider form in terms of importance in a riding rider and why? (heels, hands, seat, etc.)”
A horse show is just that, a SHOW, and the judges expect to see the horses and riders performing at their best. Smart raiders will go further and push the envelope to show their best qualities and the best qualities of their horse. Would a graceful seated trot, a counter canter into the sand, or a right turn make an impact? The question asked was: “In a riding lesson, what ‘bonus credit’ moves do you like to see, on the flat and over fences?”
The hunter and riding courses consist of 8 or more jumps on 2 or more lines. For example, the course designer may set 2 jumps on a line that is 72 feet, allowing five strides between jumps. Sometimes a short striding horse can canter the line and fit in six strides, while a long striding horse can easily take four strides. The question asked was “Do you penalize a short gait horse that adds one gait in a line, resulting in six equal gaits in a five gait line? Do you have the same answer in a riding lesson?”
Since judging hunters and horsemanship is a subjective profession, often trainers and riders want to know the reason why their performance was or was not set in the judge’s final order. USEF requires a delegate to be present during a discussion with a judge. Most judges have a definite feeling about sharing their score and reasoning. The question asked was “Do you welcome a Junior or Amateur who comes up and asks you a question about his score after a class?”
Although there are standards for high-level judges, judging hunters is largely subjective, based on style, manner of jumping, even steps, technique, and overall impression. The question asked was “What do you look for in a hunter? What is your idea of a ‘classic hunter’?”
In a riding class, a rider can perform without problems with an exemplary position, but sometimes the carelessness or laziness of a horse contributes to a fall or failure, despite a proper ride. It is the judge’s responsibility to assess this. The question asked was: “If a jockey gives a good ride but his horse makes a minor mistake, like hitting a post or a ghost, how does this affect his score?”
Trainers and jockeys use various bits, aids, and tacks to maximize their horses’ gait, jumping style, and manageability. Given the variety of equipment allowed, judges may penalize for unconventional types of turns. Questions asked “Do you consider a hunter’s option? Do you weigh a horse going with or without a martingale? Do you give credit/penalty to a horse showing on a bit of bit instead of a pelham?”
In the hunter under saddle classes, the movement and manners of the horse are judged, with quality of movement being paramount. In general, the horses are shown walking, trotting and cantering in both directions. Good trainers and jockeys can accentuate their horse’s movement by creating a more extended, flowing, and balanced gait. This pace is established through various means: establishing a certain amount of rally, moving at a faster pace, sometimes with looser reins, and/or multiple teams to achieve the desired “frame” or gait. The question was asked “In a saddle hunter class, comment on the ‘frame’ of the horse you are looking for.”
Judges will notice an experienced professional rider or trainer versus a less experienced young rider or amateur adult as soon as they enter the show ring. Some class divisions are designed to separate non-professional (amateur and youth) riders from professionals (coaches). But some classes of hunters allow both, and the judge takes into consideration who is riding the horse. The question was asked “If it is two big rounds in a hunter class, one ridden by a professional and one ridden by an amateur or junior, are there differences in how the two rounds are judged?”
Imagine these questions and many more answered by 15-20 of the best hunter judges in the country. Just learning an invaluable horsemanship nugget or two from over 250 answers, opinions, and preferences is sure to make all the difference at your next horse show.