Hunter Under Saddle

HUNTER UNDER SADDLE NSBA Rules

EQUIPMENT Horses to be shown in a bridle with a plain leather browband and cavessan noseband and reins. Saddle must be of the Hunting or Forward Seat type. Leather breast collars are optional. All English bits approved for use by AQHA

Optional Equipment

1. English Spurs of the unrowelled type

2. Crops or Bats

3. Braiding of mane and/or tail in Hunt Style

4. Number holders on saddle pads

Prohibited Equipment

1. Martingale or Tiedowns

2. Splint Boots or Leg Wrap

3. Draw Reins

4. Rowelled Spurs

0f4d547d6d86cbeff560ab1ad65bd29c.doc GAITS The following terminology shall apply whenever a specific gait is called for: A) Walk - forward working walk rhythmical and flat footed - extremely slow or fast walks shall be penalized.

B) Trot - long, low ground covering definite two beat cadenced and balanced strides - smoothness more essential than speed - extreme speed should be penalized - excessive knee or hock action should be penalized.

C) Extended Trot - a definite two beat lengthening of stride. Cadenced and balanced - smoothness more essential than speed. The lengthening stride should be from the shoulder and the leg and cover more ground.

D) Canter - smooth, free moving, relaxed and straight on both leads. The stride should be suitable to cover ground following hounds. Over collected or 4 beat canter to be penalized. Excessive speed to be penalized.

E) Hand Gallop - should be a definite lengthening of stride with noticeable difference in speed. Horses should be under control at all times and be able to pull-up (not a sliding stop). If asked to pull-up, after the halt, riders must relax the reins and the horse must stand quietly.

JUDGING A) Entries must be shown with both hands maintaining a light contact on the horse's mouth. Hands should be held at 45° angle, creating a straight line from the bit to the riders elbows. The hands should be carried close to the withers - not more than 10" apart. The end of the reins should come out of the top of the hand between the index finger and thumb. Three or four fingers around the rein are permitted. The bite of the reins can be carries on either side of the horse. Riders hands should be visible to the judge (s) at all time. B) Hunter Under Saddle horses should be suitable to purpose. They should move in a long, low frame and be able to lengthen their strides and cover ground as in traversing Hunt Country following hounds. They should be obedient, alert and responsive to their riders. Quick, short strides should be penalized. Horses to be shown at a walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring. Horses may be asked to change to the canter from a flat- footed walk or trot, at the judges’ discretion. At the discretion of the judge may be required to hand gallop, one or both ways of the ring. At the hand gallop, the judge may ask the group to halt and stand quietly on a free rein. Horse must reverse at a walk or a trot at the discretion of the judge but shall not be asked to reverse at the canter, extended trot or hand gallop.

C) A tight rein is at no time acceptable. Horses which move in an artificial frame and are over flexed and behind the bit should be penalized.

D) Hunter Under Saddle should be happy and natural horse. Emphasis shall be placed on manner, movement and attitude as reflected on the horse's ears, mouth, tail and way of going. Judges shall be instructed to pay particular attention to the above mention and any attempt to alter the above shall be judged accordingly.

0f4d547d6d86cbeff560ab1ad65bd29c.doc FAULTS a) Faults to be scored according to severity:

1) Quick, short or vertical strides

2) Being on the wrong lead and/or wrong diagonal at the trot.

3) Breaking gait

4) Excessive speed at any gait

5) Excessive slowness in any gait, loss of forward momentum

6) Failure to take the appropriate gait when called for

7) Head carried too high

8) Head carried too low

9) Overflexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical

10) Excessive nosing out

11) Failure to maintain light contact with the horses’ mouth

12) Stumbling

13) If horse appears sullen, dull, lethargic, emaciated, drawn or overly tired.

14) Refusal to back shall result in a penalty or disqualification, at the judges’ discretion.

b) Faults which shall be cause for disqualification, except in novice non pro or youth which will be faults, scored according to severity:

1) Overflexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical consistently for more than five strides.

AQHA Rules The following terminology shall apply in all English classes: (1) Walk is a natural, flat foot, four-beat gait. The horse must move straight and true at the walk. The walk must be alert, with a stride of reasonable length in keeping with the size of the horse. Loss of forward rhythmic movement shall be penalized.

(2) Trot is a two-beat gait, comprised of long, low, ground-covering, cadenced and balanced strides. Smoothness is more essential than speed. The knees should remain relatively flat, exhibiting minimal flexion. Short, quick strides and/or extreme speed shall be penalized. When asked to extend the trot, there should be a definite lengthening of the stride.

0f4d547d6d86cbeff560ab1ad65bd29c.doc (3) Canter is a three-beat gait; smooth, free moving, relaxed and straight on both leads. The stride should be long, low and ground covering. Over-collected four-beat canter is to be penalized. Excessive speed is to be penalized. (4) Hand gallop should be a definite lengthening of the stride with a noticeable difference in speed. The horse should be under control at all times, and be able to halt in a smooth, bal-anced manner.

Hunters under saddle should be suitable to purpose. A.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. B. This class will be judged on performance, condition and conformation. Maximum credit shall be given to the flowing, balanced, willing horse. C. Horses to be: (1) shown under saddle, not to jump. (2) shown at a walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring. Horses should back easily and stand quietly. (3) reversed to the inside away from the rail. D. Horses may be asked to change to canter from the flat-footed walk or trot, at the judges discretion. E. Faults to be scored according to severity: (1) Quick, short, or vertical strides (2) Being on the wrong lead and/or wrong diagonal at the trot (3) Breaking gait (4) Excessive speed at any gait (5) Excessive slowness in any gait, loss of forward momentum (6) Failure to take the appropriate gait when called for (7) Head carried too high (8) Head carried too low (such that poll is below the withers) (9) Overflexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical (10) Excessive nosing out (11) Failure to maintain light contact with horse’s

0f4d547d6d86cbeff560ab1ad65bd29c.doc mouth (12) Stumbling (13) If horse appears sullen, dull, lethargic, emaciated, drawn or overly tired F. Faults which will be cause for disqualification, except in novice amateur or novice youth which shall be faults, scored according to severity: (1) Head carried too low (such that poll is below the withers consistently) (2) Overflexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical consistently (g) At the option of the judge, all or just the top 12 horses may be required to hand gallop, one or both ways of the ring. Never more than 12 horses to hand gallop at one time. At the hand gallop, the judge may ask the group to halt and stand quiet-ly on a free rein (loosened rein).

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