Changing Trends in Hunter Under Saddle

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338 – October, 2014

By Susan Winslow

Anyone who has ever set a hoof inside the show ring knows that the main goal is to get the judge’s attention, preferably when you and your horse are looking your best. However, do some exhibitors take things too far, snuggling up so close to the judge that the rider can almost read the scorecard from horseback? The trend of “circling the judges” in an effort to gain the best ring position is just one topic that has come up lately in a push to bring this English discipline back to its roots.

How far has Hunter Under Saddle strayed away from the original intention and tradition behind the class itself? The Equine Chronicle checked in with some well-respected professionals in the industry to get their opinions, but first, it’s important to review the origins of this regal discipline.

The term ‘Hunter Under Saddle’ finds its origin in Fox Hunting, where the hunter’s job was to carry a rider safely and steadily over miles of varied terrain, while maintaining comfortable, ground-covering, and fluid movement. This allowed the rider to have a certain level of comfort during a long, arduous day in the saddle. Horses that carried their riders with manners, grace, endurance, and courage as the hounds chased the hapless fox over obstacles, into the forest, and through streams, were coveted as Working Hunters. As such, the ideal Hunter Under Saddle horse is not a flashy, showy creature with high leg action and a bulging, white eye, nor is it a shuffler, incapable of lifting its feet over a tuft of grass. How, then, do today’s horses reflect this ideal?

Section IV of the American Quarter Horse Rule Book offers the following guidelines for Hunter Under Saddle.

466B. Hunter Under Saddle

(a) “The purpose of the hunter under saddle horse is to present or exhibit a horse with a bright, alert expression, whose gaits show potential of being a working hunter. Therefore, its gait must be free flowing, ground covering, and athletic. Hunters under saddle should be suitable to purpose. Hunters should move with long, low strides reaching forward with ease and smoothness, be able to lengthen stride and cover ground with relaxed, free-flowing movement, while exhibiting correct gaits that are of the proper cadence. The quality of the movement and the consistency of the gaits is a major consideration. Horses should be obedient, have a bright expression with alert ears, and should respond willingly to the rider with light leg and hand contact. Horses should be responsive and smooth in transition. When asked to extend the trot or hand gallop, they should move out with the same flowing motion. The poll should be level with, or slightly above, the withers to allow proper impulsion behind. The head position should be slightly in front of, or on, the vertical.”

There have been rumblings about creating an ad hoc committee to bring cohesion, clarity, and education to this division of AQHA competition, although the Show Committee declined to institute it this year. In the meantime, The Equine Chronicle was interested to learn from some of the industry’s leading exhibitors and professionals about their take on Hunter Under Saddle.

1. What is your ideal type of horse for Hunter Under Saddle?

Lainie DeBoer: “My ideal type of Hunter Under Saddle horse is the one that’s described in the AQHA Handbook SHW601. Hunter Under Saddle “…a horse with a bright, alert expression, whose gaits show potential of being a working hunter. Therefore, its gait must be free flowing, ground covering and athletic…the poll should be level with, or slightly above, the withers to allow proper impulsion from behind. The head position should be slightly in front of, or on, the vertical.”

Sonnesa Gooding: “I prefer to stay with a prospect with Quarter Horse lineage versus a Thoroughbred. However, [I still like them to] maintain a sleek hunter look. I feel they are more trainable and easier for the non-pro exhibitor to show.”

Beth Case: “[I like] a big, pretty, happy, big-strided, slow-legged horse with a front leg that comes all the way out from his shoulder to his toe and has a deep hock.”

Doug Huls: “My ideal Hunter Under Saddle horse is a good mover that exhibits outstanding cadence and can move forward with long, low, ground covering strides. The horse should move with a stride capable of lengthening in order for it to be suitable for a hunter course.”

Nancy Sue Ryan: “The ideal Hunter Under Saddle horse should be form to function. It’s my belief that Hunter Under Saddle horses should have the length of stride [necessary] to make the distance down a [jump] line.”

Alex Ross: “The ideal Hunter Under Saddle horse should track up at the walk and trot while displaying self-carriage and a level topline. At the canter, the animal should be balanced, allowing the horse to have proper engagement, which produces a ground-covering stride indicative of an animal that could, if asked, make the distance between fences.”

2. Do you feel we need to make an effort to have the Hunter Under Saddle horses of today move with more fluid, forward movement, rather than appearing as if they were Western horses riding in English tack?

Lainie DeBoer: “I see most horses ‘loping’ around the ring at the canter, with very little expression, very little flow, and certainly not ground covering at the canter that would demonstrate the potential of being a Working Hunter. I believe it stems from the Hunter Under Saddle being exhibited and judged in such a manner that horses being shown cannot physically show length of stride. Therefore, they are being trained in a manner that may not be natural to their God-given talent. In most cases, the canter is being manufactured to fit a horse that maybe has a big enough stride, into a horse that can keep a speed in the ring that’s relative to all the other horses ‘loping’ around. It’s like taking a square peg and fitting it into a round hole. Instead of showing a horse’s individuality, riders are trying to make them all look like they’re traveling at the same speed, whether the horse is 15.2 or 17.2 hands.”

“As far as the poll, I observe few who show to the rule book. Rarely do I see the winner exhibiting with their poll level or slightly above the withers with proper impulsion. It’s just not happening. Why it’s important to me is because our horses need to canter with their heads up to see where they are going, especially when jumping a fence. They need to have enough power from behind being sent forward in front of our leg and into our hand to get the push they need to get from one side of the fence to the other. I need to be able to have a horse that accepts my hand and leg, because that is my communication with my horse to negotiate successfully around a course.”

Sonnesa Gooding: “I don’t feel they should be as ‘up’ in the bridle as a Western Pleasure horse, and having the neck a little low doesn’t offend me. Generally, this type of horse is of a quieter nature. If given the opportunity to go over fences, this horse will bring its head and neck up on its own.”

Doug Huls: “I want horses to canter, not lope. I think it’s important to note that these horses are showing in an arena with limited space and often with several horses in the class. More importantly than the speed or pace at which they travel, I wish to see a horse that moves like he could lengthen to a stride necessary to jump a course.”

Nancy Sue Ryan: “I appreciate the Hunter Under Saddle horse that can carry itself and have full flight of stride, but it should not be a horse that’s chased around the arena in attempt to look like a Hunter Under Saddle horse or like it’s trying to keep up with the pack.”

3. What are your thoughts about the trend of “circling the judges?” Many announcers are now actually asking exhibitors to move closer to the rail, upon request of the judges.

Lainie DeBoer: “I would like to see the exhibitors spread out more, just to give the judges a chance to get a good look at all the horses. What happens is they crowd up, and they’re not actually showing the judge their horse as much as they think they are. I think riders just need to be more aware, specifically of where they are in the ring, and it will make for a nicer class and be easier on the judges.”

Sonnesa Gooding: “Personally, I prefer for horses to show more toward the rail. Just like looking at a prospect out in the field, you can evaluate them better from farther away than if they were right next to you.”

Beth Case: “I think you should not circle the judge. Stay out, if you can, without getting covered up.”

Doug Huls: “Extreme is extreme. I do not believe they need to show entirely on the rail nor do they need to be circling the judge.”

Nancy Sue Ryan: “It has always be a pet peeve of mine, as a judge, to have the horses and riders circling me. As an exhibitor, one should always strive to ride on or near the rail. If one works the arena correctly, they actually show their horse to the judges. That’s why we are in the arena; we want the opportunity to present our horse to the judge in a manner in which it’s easy for the judge to find you.”

Alex Ross: “I agree with the judge’s suggestions for exhibitors to show ‘on or near the rail’ in Hunter Under Saddle. Besides improving the class for exhibitors, it makes the class better for spectators to watch and judges to judge.”

4. What are your thoughts on the departure from traditional equipment, such as with the use of black stirrup irons? Should they be allowed or do you think they can mask potential equitation flaws? How do you feel about exhibitors taking a departure from the traditional dark hunt jacket, white shirt, and buff breeches? Is it appropriate for riders to don colored or patterned shirts, even some with crystal embellishment?”

Lainie DeBoer: “I personally don’t have any tolerance for bling in the English ring at all. I wear jackets that have piping, because I rode in our local hunt when I was a youth, and that was something you had on your collar representing your hunt’s colors. Jacket buttons were also unique to your hunt club. That’s my nod to the Minnesota Long Lake Hounds. But I’m not a big fan of anything sparkly. I like an understated and crisp, clean look. I’m not a fan at all of black or red shirts.”

“Black stirrups are a hot topic. I’m not sure they necessarily hide a rider’s legs anymore than black gloves give the certain illusion of a rider’s hands being quieter. Jerry Erickson pointed that out to me once. I do think that it can be difficult if a rider were to lose a stirrup while on course; it might be difficult for the judge to see it. What I do like seeing them for, in our industry, is Hunt Seat Equitation. Some patterns start or end with having a rider drop their stirrups and pick up the stirrups mid-pattern. I hate to see heavy, silver stirrups banging on a horse’s sides when the exhibitor is not able to cross them. The black stirrups are lightweight, and the horses barely feel them. I saw it affect a few horses at the World Show in the finals, and they literally got so excited it affected the rider’s pattern and eventual placing.”

Sonnesa Gooding: “I have no problem with black stirrup irons, but bling and bright colored shirts are a definite no! I like a more traditional look for the Hunter Under Saddle and Equitation classes.”

Beth Case: “I don’t mind black irons at all. I have one saddle with black irons and one saddle with regular irons. They’re a little more fancy with my name on them. I don’t mind colored shirts, but I don’t like the really patterned ones.”

Doug Huls: “Black irons don’t bother me. A rider’s abilities and balance will be apparent as long as they are given an adequate pattern. A little pattern to the shirts doesn’t bother me either, however, I do like the traditional colors for jackets and breeches.”

Nancy Sue Ryan: “As a judge, I don’t have time to make an assessment on a rider’s clothing. It’s not the outfit that makes the winner; it’s the presentation. A well turned out horse that’s braided, clipped, and clean with a brushed out tail completes the overall picture.”

“Color of spurs is governed by association rules. I personally appreciate the silver spur as tradition. I’m more offended by a spur being worn upside down. Bling is definitely out, for me!”

Alex Ross: “In regards to attire, including tack, AQHA tries to follow suit with USEF, our alliance partner. Black stirrup irons were disallowed in USEF two years ago and, after being vetted by AQHA’s Show Committee, will also be illegal in AQHA competition starting in 2015. AQHA had specific rules on shirts, at one time, but adjusted the rules to meet those of USEF. It’s more exhibitor-friendly.”

5. Are there any other aspects of Hunter Under Saddle you have noticed that are worthy of discussion, and where do you see this discipline heading in the future?

Lainie DeBoer: “All I hope for in the future is that people start exhibiting their horses in accordance to the rule book. If they don’t, the judges have to judge what’s out in front of them, and it becomes a vicious circle. We aren’t that far off. I would like to see more horses with their necks up and be given the freedom to show at a canter that is more natural to them. I think the expression of the horses now tells a very big story. They look deflated and un-interested in their jobs. I personally feel if we don’t address our issues in the industry regarding Hunter Under Saddle, fewer horses will go on to be hunters and further their careers outside the Hunter Under Saddle ring. The trend of decline in the Hunter/Jumper category will continue. That frustrates me, because it was the fastest growing division in AQHA seven years ago.”

Sonnesa Gooding: “I see the class moving towards a more moderately-sized horse with a greater Quarter Horse influence versus the Thoroughbred influence we saw 10 years ago.”

Doug Huls: “We should always remember these are Quarter Horses.”

Nancy Sue Ryan: “I believe we are getting back to the Hunter Under Saddle horse that’s a forward moving horse that appears to enjoy its job and could possibly be a hunter as it advances in training.”

Alex Ross: “Like some other classes, the Hunter Under Saddle class has been through trends that were not positive for the future of the event. However, at both World Championship shows this year, I feel trainers and exhibitors have done an excellent job of showing their horses according to the rules. Classes at both shows have been a pleasure to watch.”