Hunter / Jumper

Don't miss our article "Choosing a Hunter Pony"

HUNTER

The horse or pony used for hunt seat, or as a hunter (as in fox hunting or in the show ring) must display certain characteristics in body type and temperament. Most breed registries that have hunter classes in their shows publish requirements for the class. Horses used in fox hunting or cross country (not eventing) must be able to gallop with a group, be calm, athletic and willing. Generally horses are judged on conformation, way of moving and soundness. However, requirements for the show ring do NOT eliminate the average horse from being used recreationally for light jumping over obstacles in a hunt on open ground.

If you are expecting to use your pony for jumping, cross country, fox hunting, eventing and the like, then your pony should possess certain physical characteriscs that will enable it to perform at it's best and safely, and enable it to perform at the level you expect.

CONFORMATION is the way your pony is built. It is the way it looks and certain breeds have certain conformational requirements.

Hunter ponies should look like small versions of big Hunter/Jumpers. If you don't know what that is, you can buy some magazines, or go to the library and get some books that explain what these horses should look like, how they should perform, and what their temperament should be like.

Generations of horse breeders in Europe, and not as many generations in the United States, have spent years developing breeds that are best suited to hunting, jumping and dressage. Some of those breeds are:

• Thoroughbred

• Trakehner

• Appendix Quarter Horse

• Various Warmbloods

• Various European Breeds

Study up on those breeds, look at the best and brightest each has to offer... now shrink it down to pony size. That is what you want.

The Warmblood Registry has a pony division with guidelines for conformation and temperament, as well as movement. Ponies can be inspected and approved for registration if they meet the requirements.

An important publication on Hunter Safety!

SHOW JUMPING

Horses jump through a specially designed course of 15 to 20 jumps, with "faults" (or penalties) if the horse refuses or knocks down the highest element of an obstacle (fence) or if they go past the time allowed. Everyone tries for a clean round with no faults!

The course designer attempts to provide a challenging course that is difficult enough to allow only a few horses to finish with a clean round. Course designers change each course according to the level of competition. Jumps vary in height from about 4'3" to 5'6". They are arranged in the arena with carefully measured distances between them to allow the riders to finish in the allowed time.

The riders must keep in mind the clock and finish in the time allowed to avoid time penalties. If they don't finish within the maximum time limit they are eliminated. If the horse or rider falls, they are disqualified (except in championship competitions). The order of jumping for contestants is decided by a draw before the class starts.

Kinds of Jumps:

Vertical

Straight up and down fence with no spread width to it.

The Wall

Solid looking, top sections can be knocked down which results in faults.

Oxers

Two elements in one jump to create a spread.

Triple Bar

A spread fence with three elements of graduating height, very wide.

Combination

Series of two or more fences one or two strides apart. A refusal of any fence requires the horse and rider to re-jump the entire combination.

Water Jump

A broad jump of 12' - 16'; a low hedge or fence usually marks the leading edge tape on the far side of the jump must be cleared or they will get jumping faults.

Gate

Vertical jump made to appear solid by using planks, gates, brush or balustrades.

Sport-Pony
Hunter/Jumper Links

• National Hunter/Jumper Council

• Hunter and Sport Horse Magazine

• United States Equestrian Team

• Thanet Show Jumps

• Newcourse Jumps

• The Scary Jump Pole Company

• Choosing a Hunter Pony

• Hunter/Jumper Merit Award Test

Featured Stallion: AAs Braveheart

AAs Braveheart is certified as Canada's 1st Supreme+ Champion Stallion. Started training and showing in 2000 as a hunter and a jumper. Pictured above, ridden and shown by Barb Hurtig and under the watchful eye of Michelle Gendal of Deerfield Equestrian center. Barb and AAs BraveHeart won or placed well in Open Hunters/Jumpers with many awards to their credit at the A circuit level. Just under 14 hh. , as a stallion he MUST show against horses (some 17hh+) on the Open circuit. When show season was closing Barb and AAs BraveHeart competed successfully in level 1 and level 2 jumpers. He has been shown once so far in 2001 and was Pony show champion winning 4 hunter classes to 3ft and 3 on the flat. AAs BraveHeart has sired his first foal last year, a chestnut colt with a blanket and spots. They say like father like son and this colt has started off his show career with many Reserve Champion Stallion awards at halter, respectively behind his Sire. HHs Lionheart is one to watch for in the future already showing his stature, beauty, way of going and personality following in his Sire's footprints.We thank everyone who bred to AAs BraveHeart last year. We look forward to his 2001 crop but I'm sorry to say they are all sold. Bids for the 2002 crop are available starting May 1st. AAs BraveHeart is a Pony Stallion who has proven and continues to prove his value in the show arena. We expect his get to do the same. Visit us at our family fun site http://www.theponyplace.com

The Pony Place
Lorna Lancaster
4370 224th street
Langley, BC Canada V2Z2V5
(604) 5146517
E-Mail: lorna@theponyplace.com

BOOKS AND MORE!

Anne Kursinski's Riding and Jumping Clinic: A Step-By-Step Course for Winning in the Hunter and Jumper Rings - Anne Kursinski, Miranda Lorraine (contributor)

MidWest Book Review Says: "Horse lovers will find this a winning title, using words and pictures to demonstrate riding techniques so they can be studied and applied by riders."

Judging Hunters and Hunter Seat Equitation : A Comprehensive Guide for Exhibitors and Judges

by Anna Jane White-Mullin

Reflections on Riding and Jumping : Winning Techniques for Serious Riders

by William Steinkraus

Hunter Seat Equitation
George Morris, Conrad Homfeld