A horse is a horse of course, or it is? A hunter is a horse and a jumper is a horse, right? So what the difference? Here are a few thoughts and answers. Hunters: The easiest way to understand what a hunter is. Judges observe how the horse moves and jumps. Show jumping is all about the numbers. The horse and rider team with the fastest time and the fewest faults wins. Hunters: Where the horse and rider jump a course and the judging is based on accuracy, grace, and elegance.
Jumpers Where the horse and rider memorize a course of jumps and a jump-off course. A good way to remember the difference between hunter and equitation is that in hunter classes, the rider shows off the horse. In equitation classes, the horse shows off the rider.
Riders are judged on position, style, and quietness. Fidgeting, readjusting, and excessive leg and rein aids will be heavily penalized in an equitation round. Many aspiring showjumpers start off in hunter equitation to gain a solid foundation before trying more challenging jumper courses.
Classic, stylish, artistic, graceful… if any of these words appeal to you, hunter may just be the right equine discipline for you. International showjumping competitions are often broadcast on TV, and some top-notch showjumpers are almost household names. Horse and rider pairs must clear the course within the time allowed, or risk being penalized for every second over the allowable time. Time faults are doled out for falls, refusals, going off course, or knocking down a rail.
Compared to a hunter course, showjumper jumps are higher, wider, and come down more easily. Distances are tougher, combinations are tighter, and courses are designed to test athleticism and trust, rather than show off style and skill. Jumps are big, bright, flashy, and creative. While hunter jumps may be made of wood, jumps in a jumper round are usually lightweight plastic poles and often set in shallow jump cups so that they fall when brushed.
The courses themselves, as well as being timed, are designed to test the horse and rider. While the jumps must be taken in a specific order, the exact flow of the course is up to the rider, which is why riders will be allowed to walk the course before jumping it. For example, you may have the choice to take a wide turn and set the horse up nicely for a jump which will take more time but increases the likelihood of jumping clear.
Or, you can take a turn tight to save time, although it may increase the likelihood of knocking a rail if the horse has to jump diagonally. Decisions like this mean that no two jumper rounds are exactly the same, which adds to the excitement. The winner of a jumper round is the pair that finishes the course the fastest, with the fewest faults.
Refusal — 4 faults. Depending on the governing body, a horse and rider may be disqualified if they refuse two or three fences. Depending on the type and level of competition, there may be a jump-off round as well. In this case, riders who complete the course in the time allowed or less without faults will move on to the next round, called the jump-off.
The horse and rider pair with the fastest time and fewest faults in the jump-off round wins. Riders are allowed to walk the course before the competition, but cannot walk the jump-off course. Tack can be brown or black, leather or synthetic. Any size or shape of saddle pad is acceptable, and many riders opt for a shock-absorbing half pad over a square pad usually with contrasting trim and piping, or an embroidered logo or name on the square pad.
Most types of bits are acceptable, including gag bits and three-ring bits , which can be used with two sets of reins. Jumper riders must wear an ASTM-approved helmet, with matte and shiny options becoming increasingly popular. Breeches are typically beige or buff. Many shows will allow jumper riders to show without a coat or in a smart short-sleeved polo shirt, especially during the summer. So in a jump-off, if two horses have 0 faults, then the one with the fastest time will win.
Like hunters, the various jumper divisions are divided by categories. Other divisions can be divided by the status of the riders who pilot the horses around the course, such as junior jumpers for riders 18 and under, amateur-owner jumpers for non-professional adult riders or pony jumpers for children. A typical jumper course is fences consisting of natural as well as brightly colored jumps.
Unlike hunters, jumper courses tend to twists and turn. In jumpers, the horses also often are asked to jump water ditches and other more difficult obstacles. What is equitation? Equitation classes are a hybrid between hunters and jumpers.
While the horse itself is not being judged, it can greatly influence how the rider looks and is perceived by the judge. The majority of equitation classes offered are for junior riders. This stems from the fact that equitation is considered a good teaching tool in preparation for the upper level jumper divisions.
It helps riders to learn to position themselves and ride correctly over difficult courses. Equitation classes begin at the lowest levels of competition, with short stirrup and lead up to the USEF Talent Search Final, used to seek out the most talented young riders for future international competition. Equitation is one of the most popular junior divisions, with major national finals drawing hundreds of riders every year. When equitation classes began to be offered in the United States in the s, riders were awarded medals for their achievement in winning a class.
The nickname for equitation classes as 'Medal Classes' has stuck years later. That nickname, along with the newer phrase, 'the big eqs' refer to the classes which riders show in to qualify for several national championships, especially the historic and coveted USEF Medal and ASPCA Maclay Championships.
Those championships as well as several newer national year-end competitions are referred to as 'Finals. The evidence of the growth of the division has been seen in the creation of many new equitation championships, both on a regional and national level.
That all changed with the creation of numerous new championships, including the United States Equestrian Team Talent Search Final in and the Washington International Horse Show Equitation Classic in , which have both become top tier national finals.
Amateur riders simply had no national medal classes to ride in at all until the s. The Capital Challenge Horse Show tapped a new market for equitation offering 3'0" finals for children National Children's Medal starting in and amateur riders National Adult Medal begun in What's the difference between children's medal and junior medal classes? A "children's" medal class is a level below the "junior" classes according to fence height.
They available to junior riders who are competing over fences that are 3' tall. Generally younger kids under 14 compete in them. A "junior" medal is usually six inches higher, at 3'6" and some are even 4' tall. Similarly, young kids ride in "pony" medal classes on their ponies before moving up to the children's medal, and then eventually the junior medal level. Adult amateur medal classes are generally 3'0" or lower in height.
Competing in equitation classes requires extensive training and practice with an equestrian professional. Many riders begin training in their youth, spending years in the saddle to gain the experience necessary to compete at one of the year-end finals. Though the cost of competing is high, there are opportunities for all riders to compete more today than ever before. There are literally so many finals being offered, that riders can pick and choose based on their geographic location or their level of skill.
Many regional horse show associations offer beginner medal classes through junior and amateur medal classes. Why participate in horse shows? Many horses and riders spend hours each week honing their skills at their training stable in riding lessons.
Showing is a good way for riders to evaluate their progress individually and ability relative to their peers. Some riders find satisfaction in showing for practice and experience. For some, horse shows create temporary communities, and the social aspect of competing and spending time with friends is a draw.
Others show to qualify for championships or year-end finals and awards. Trainers bring sale horses to shows to market them. The reasons for showing are diverse. Typical show day A tremendous amount of behind the scenes effort takes place to make every horse show happen. Some show barns hire grooms to aid riders with everyday care.
Riders may also choose to do everything by themselves, whether to save money, or for the satisfaction of caring for a horse. Of course, everyone's show experience will be different.
Either way, showing is time and effort intensive. A typical show day can start as early as 3 or 4 am, when the horses are braided for the show day. In hunters, the tail is braided as well. No braiding is necessary for jumpers, since they are not being judged on appearance. Early morning brings general horse care. Whether on the road in temporary stabling, or at home, the horses must be fed, given fresh water, and have their stalls cleaned.
If the rider is going to a one day show, then the horse's legs must be wrapped in protective traveling bandages, and loaded onto the horse trailer with all the show equipment and supplies.
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