Showing your horse or pony can be a great deal of fun and very rewarding. Learn how to decide which show class your equine is best suited for

Taking your horse or pony out to some showing competitions can be a beneficial part of their ongoing education. Even if your eventual goals involve using your steed for three day eventing, dressage or just going out on the odd hack, training your mount for the show-ring can serve purposes such as desensitising them to scary object and noises and getting them used to sharing their space with other horses and people.

The Show Hunter

If your horse is a handsome, substantial type then this may be the show class for you. The hunters of the British show ring are big, strong and good looking with plenty of sparkle and a cracking gallop. They originate from the long-standing sport of fox-hunting so they have to look like they could cope with a tough day out with the hounds. The heavier type of thoroughbreds, Irish Draughts (both part and purebred) and horses with Cleveland Bay blood have always excelled in hunter classes.

If you only intend on going to small, local shows then the show hunter horses will probably all be lumped into a single ‘show hunter’ class. At the larger shows, the show hunters will be divided into three classes: lightweight hunters, middleweight hunters and heavyweight hunters.

What Type of Hunter is Your Horse?

The one thing that distinguishes these different show hunter types is how much physical weight they can carry. The lightweights should be able to carry up to 12 stone 7lb (about 80kg); middleweights should be able to cope with up to 14 stone (88kg) and heavyweights should be able to carry well over 14 stone (88kg+) without any problems.

Judges will assess how much weight a horse can carry by looking at the amount of bone below the knee. You can measure your own horse’s bone by placing a tape measure around the part of the leg that is just below the knee. As a rule, lightweight hunters should have 8.5” (roughly 22cm) of bone below the knee, middleweights should have 8.5” to 9” (22cm to about 23cm) and the heavyweights should have 9” (23cm+) and over.

How to Present Your Horse

The show hunter type of equine should be presented in a much more understated and subtle way than the hacks and riding horses of the showing world. Equipment should be well looked after, and good quality if you can afford it, but there is no need for the flashy trappings that are expected with other types of show animals.

The Bridle

The bridle will usually be made out of brown leather, although black is perfectly acceptable if you own a black or grey horse. Hunter bridles are usually heavier than the ones worn by hacks and riding ponies (3/4” (1.9cm) cheek pieces rather than the 1/2” (1.3cm) cheek pieces worn by hacks). This is because the head of the show hunter is generally larger and nobler looking than the elegant and dainty little heads of the show hack. If you are confused about different bridle weights then simply ask your friendly local saddlery store who will, no doubt, be happy to point you in the right direction. A double bridle or a pelham bit is suitable for most hunter classes but a snaffle is correct for the four year old or novice classes.

The Saddle

The ideal saddle for the hunter classes should be straight cut, to show off your horse’s shoulder. Also, make sure that your stirrups can be adjusted to suit a range of different leg lengths as some judges like to ride each horse in a class.

Turnout Tips

Plaits should be less dainty than those worn by the show hack or riding pony but should still be neat and sewn with thread which is the same colour as the mane.

On arrival at the showground, give him another quick brush over and apply a shine-enhancing spray, a variety of which can be purchased at most saddlery stores. Make-up, although popular in many show classes, should be kept to a minimum with hunters. If you can’t resist the urge to apply some products then make sure you don’t add more than a touch of petroleum jelly to the muzzle, legs and dock (behind the tail.) The idea is to present your horse as an attractive working animal, not as an overly made-up floozy! Visit this Suite 101 article on ‘Preparing for the Show Ring' for more presentation tips.

What You Should Wear:

Most show hunter riders, both male and female, choose to wear yellow or beige coloured breeches, a plain shirt, a stock and stock pin in a colour that matches the rest of the outfit and a tweed hacking jacket, topped off with a navy, velvet riding hat, long black boots and fawn coloured, leather gloves. Spurs can also be worn, to add authenticity. ‘Dummy’ spurs can be purchased from most equine stores, should you not wish to wear real ones.

What to Expect from the Class:

The one, vital thing that really sets the hunter class apart from the other disciplines is the gallop. The show hunter is expected to show that it can perform a proper gallop, at full pelt, both in company and within its own individual presentation. If your horse really comes into his own at this pace then make the most out of it, get up out of the saddle, and show the judge what your horse can do. However, do remember that you must be able to pull your horse up easily and smoothly as well....!

You can find out more about the English show scene and the individual classes by going to www.theshowring.co.uk. Details of horse shows in the UK, along with downloadable schedules, can be found at www.showschedules.co.uk