Judging Hunter Under Saddle

Hunter Under Saddle A popular show event Used to be called Bridle Path Hack English Pleasure Similar to Western Pleasure ONLY in that the horses should be a pleasure to ride

Hunter Under Saddle SUITABLE to purpose follow hounds cross country Preliminary class for English riding disciplines

Hunter Under Saddle Contestants compete simultaneously Travel around the perimeter of the arena Walk, trot and canter Both directions of the arena. Change in termiology of gaits E:\JUDGING THE PERFORMANCE HORSE.PPT

Criteria used to evaluate performance horses Functional correctness Quality of movement Attitude and Manners Head set and Head carriage

Functional correctness Follows the rules! Horse picks up and maintains proper gait Each gait is correct and true Proper upward and downward transitions Maintaining a proper rate of speed Soundness Collection: the horse's frame is shortened and rounded with the hindquarters clearly coming up under the horse body E:\JUDGING THE PERFORMANCE HORSE.PPT

Quality of Movement Gaits must be performed with proper cadence and balance Softness Horse maintains a level top line Horse maintains a collected frame

Attitude and Manners Ask the question: Which horse is the steadiest, brokest, most consistent horse in the class? Attitude and temperament Prompt response with no resistance

Head set and Head carriage Must be in front of the vertical Must be level with the withers

A good hunter… Long, low strides reaches forward smoothly lengthens relaxed, free-flowing movement correctness in gaits cadence

A good hunter… obedient bright expression alert ears responsive to light hand/leg contact

A good hunter… responsive and smooth in transitions extend in same flowing motion poll level with or slightly above withers face slightly in front of or on the vertical

Terminology: the Walk Natural, flat footed, four beat gait Moves straight and true at walk Alert Stride of reasonable length in keeping with size of horse LOSS OF FORWARD RHYTMIC MOVEMENT SHALL BE PENALIZED

Terminology: the Trot Two beat gait long low ground covering cadenced balanced

Terminology: the Trot Smoothness is more essential than speed Knees should remain relatively flat knees exhibit minimal flexion SHORT, QUICK STRIDES AND EXTREME SPEED SHALL BE PENALIZED definite lengthening during extension

Terminology: the Canter Three beat gait smooth free moving relaxed straight long low ground covering

Terminology: the Hand Gallop definite lengthening of the stride noticeable difference in speed horse under control hand gallop to halt in smooth, balanced manner

Faults to be scored according to severity Quick, short, vertical strides Wrong lead Wrong diagonal Breaking gait

Faults to be scored according to severity Excessive speed Excessive slowness Failure to take the appropriate gait when called for

Faults to be scored according to severity Head carried too high Head carried too low Over-flexing, straining neck with nose behind vertical Excessive nosing out

Faults to be scored according to severity Failure to maintain light contact with horse’s mouth Stumbling Sullen, dull, lethargic, emaciated, drawn, overly tired Tail: excessive movement/dead “tail”