Hunters Lecture

USEF

United States equestrian federation

Working Hunter

how the horse moves → 8 fences total

• how it gets over fences, form, pace, style

• Not entry level class

Hunter UNder Saddle

flat class judged on the horse, 2+ year olds

• way of going: athletic, soft on the ground, long and level frame, flat knees, scopey, bascule over fence, elegant

Working Hunter under Saddle

more upright, more knee action, pick up knees over fences, head up and nose out, push with hocks, have to show over fences, on the horse

Eq on the flat

no tences, pattern as well as rail, on rider ability

Eq over fences

only fences, no rail, fence course is pattern, how the rider gets horse over fences, right number of strides and lead change, correct spot, distance is 12ft stride

Hunter hack

class on the horse, athletic and scopey

2-3 fences (30%) and rail both ways (70%), one lead change → flying, entry level class for horse learning fences

Jumpers

get over the fences fastest with no faults

• time is 3 faults

• Knockdown is 4 faults

strides

12ft, top over fence

Size of the arena, footing (hard, slippery, deep) and horse size affect stride length

Trot poles

1.2-1.4m apart, 39in or 4ft trot poles 48-56 inches

Pole

single or multiple

Ground pole

in front of fence, placement depends on height of fence

Cavalettee

encourage horse to pick up feet, balance, rhythm, cadence, in gymnastic course

Cross rail

forces you to jump in the middle, beginner/notice fence, horse may overjump

Verticle

poles, flower box, gives illusion of being solid, not 3d, beginner

Oxer

2 verticles together, normal or a ramp (second is taller)

• Spread is the distance between the two

• Box oxer: distance high and wide are same

Triple oxer

three jumps together

Liver pool

under oxer or triple, simulates water

Hunters are classic way of jumping

natural colors used

Coup

could also be a box, half circle kinda thing

USEF

has color restrictions on what you can wear, never white breeches in AQHA

Gymnastic line

poles, cavalettees, cross rails, etc

• develop rhythm, cadence, and balance

• Back off a bold horse by shortening stride

Half seat

getting out of horse’s way and off back to drive forward

Crest release

bigger jumps, not hit face, over on neck, stay out of way

Automatic release

smaller release for shorter fences, stay for a stride

Before turning the corner, must switch leads

trot circle at end of class so judge can assess soundness

Rub

not knocked off but touched

Chip

goat jump over fence