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Hunter classes are some of the most popular showing events, and a full class of gleaming hunter horses on display is certainly an impressive sight. Hunter classes draw on historical hunting traditions, particularly those of Great Britain and Ireland. The modern Show Hunter tends to be a showier version of the type of horse that developed from the eighteenth to the twentieth centuries for fox hunting. Although many hunts still exist across the world, most of them engage in drag hunting, in which hounds follow a scent trail laid in advance, rather than hunting wild animals. Show hunter classes are a great opportunity to showcase traditional hunting dress and riding style on an exceptional horse with plenty of presence.
Traditionally, Show Hunters were classified by weight, rather than breed, so that riders could select the horse that was best for them. They were described as heavyweight, middleweight and lightweight, and sometimes as ladies’ or small hunters. Hunters are often expected to show a brief period of extended speed during the course of their individual presentation, as they would be expected to gallop for long periods across country terrain while hunting. For the show ring, the hunter should be immaculately turned out in English saddle and bridle, with the rider wearing traditional tweed or a black jacket, breeches or jodhpurs, and boots. As well as ridden showing classes, there are working hunter classes during which the horses or Ponies will have to jump a small course of natural obstacles, and hunter trials, which is a type of cross-country event with jumps.
For showing, the horses are often hunter types with a relatively high proportion of Thoroughbred to give them a presence in the show ring. Good crosses for substance include Cleveland Bay, Irish Draught and many of the old type German breeds, including Hanoverians and Holsteiner Horses. Modern Warmblooded Horses are a very popular choice for hunter classes, meaning that the competitor has a wide choice from Hungarian Sport Horses to the Selle Français. Show Hunter classes for ponies are also very popular events across the world. Traditional native ponies, such as the Mountain and Moorland breeds – Fell, Dales, Welsh and Connemara for example – compete with equal success alongside more highly bred show ponies with a high percentage of Thoroughbred in them. Broadly speaking, in the show ring, judges look for a well-turned-out horse and rider who strike an elegant image, whereas, in the working hunter classes, a workmanlike horse or pony has an equal chance of succeeding, as the event is based on performance.
Show hunter classes are held across the world and often attract large numbers of participants. Different traditions have developed in different countries. In the USA, for example, Western hunter classes are very popular. The type of horse and the style of riding is somewhat different from that of hunter classes in the UK. All these international classes ultimately have their origin in British and Irish foxhunting traditions, which were extremely influential in all equestrian disciplines. Originally, there were strong links between the military and fox hunting and the type of horse developed for hunting was also popular with cavalry officers. There use to be fox hunts in nearly every county of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and Ireland gained a very high reputation for producing excellent hunter type horses. The Master of Foxhounds and the hunt servants – the huntsman and whippers-in – wore scarlet coats that came to be incorrectly known as “Hunting Pink”, a tradition which may date back to the days of Queen Anne. Other hunts, particularly in continental Europe, had a tradition of green coats. Hunt followers often wore “ratcatcher”, the traditional tweed jackets, short boots and bowlers worn mainly in the countryside. For modern hunter classes, competitors wear either tweed or black jackets. Maintaining traditions is an important part of show hunter classes. Competitors enjoy turning out their horses to the highest possible standard to join a line-up of immaculate and beautiful Show Hunters standing proudly in the ring!