The purpose of the hunter under saddle or hunter pleasure class (different terms are used by different organizations) is to present a horse with a bright, alert expression, whose gaits show potential of being a working hunter. Meaning the gaits must be free-flowing, ground covering and athletic.
Class Procedures
- Contestants compete simultaneously.
- Horses work both directions of the ring at all three gaits:
- Walk
- Trot
- Canter
- Riders may be asked to show their horse at the hand gallop.
- Horse must have gaits that show its working hunter potential.
Gait Descriptions
The Walk
- Natural, flat-footed, four-beat gait.
- Movement should be straight and true, long, and low.
The Trot
- Two-beat gait.
- Smoothness is more essential than speed.
- Gait should be balanced, well cadenced, long, and low.
- Knees should remain relatively flat with minimal flexion.
The Canter
- A three-beat gait that is smooth, relaxed, straight, long, low, and ground covering.
The Hand Gallop
- A three-beat definite lengthening of the stride canter.
- Ridden in a two-point position.
- A noticeable difference in speed.
Judging
Hunter under saddle or hunter pleasure is judged on the following criteria:
- Functional correctness
- Quality of movement
- Good attitude and manners
- Correct head set and head carriage
Credits
- Has long, low strides
- Reaches forward smoothly
- Flowing, balance and willing horse
- Responsive and smooth in transitions
- Lengthens stride at all gaits when asked
- Has a relaxed, free-flowing movement
- Is correct in all gaits
- Is well cadenced
- Is obedient and well mannered
- Has a bright expression
- Has alert ears
- Responds to light hand/leg contact
Faults
The following faults should be considered when judging hunter under saddle and counted against the horse based on severity:
- Quick, short, or vertical strides
- Being on the wrong lead
- Breaking gait
- Excessive speed/slowness at any gait
- Failure to take the appropriate gait when called for
- Carrying the head too high or too low
- Over-flexing or straining the neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical
- Stumbling
- Excessive nosing out
- Failure to maintain light contact
- Dull, lethargic, or overly tired
- Consistently showing too far off the rail
Disqualifications
Disqualifications are given for:
- Head excessively too low consistently
- Nose behind the vertical consistently
