Is anyone able to tell me the correct dress for a working hunter class. Also, what bridle (ie snaffle, double,pelham?????) Any help appreciated, think I have bitten off more than I can chew this time!

Black hat,tweed jacket,stock or tie with stock pin,cream jodpurs and long riding boots.For lady.
(Man will wear shirt and tie)
snaffle bridle is sometimes prefered by some judges but if goes better in double bridle use that always plain leather! no fancy brow bands

Plus sorry no martingales,or boots on horse(overreach boots)

I agree with Mattie, also I thought a plain noseband was preferred too, i.e. not a drop, flash, grackle etc.

Actually I've just had a thought, I'm sure I've seen people in working hunter classes wearing brown jodh boots and brown gloves along with their tweed jacket. I could be wrong but this has got me thinking. Anyone else seen this ?

And do you know what Mattie I think I might have seen them wearing martingales too. Oh sorry I completely agreed with you until I cast my mind back. What do ya think?

Yes you can use martingales and i was also told no numnahs but i have only ever done one working hunter class and decided that i would never do it again! Sorry thats probably not what you wanted to hear! :) (Show Jumpings my thing - and on that i could probably reel off the whole BSJA rule book too you :D :D) Also not sure if you are allowed boots my memory isn't that good! :D

Tracy

Just found a piccy in horse and hound - Tweed jacket, shirt & tie, cream jods, Balck boots, black hat for Rider. Horse LOOKS like a double bridle, martingale saddle no numnah, dark girth.

all plain leather no flashing anything.

so, now I am totally confused!!!! Can he have a martingale or not? What about brushing boots? What exactly am I expected to do? If the judge has to ride him I won't bother going!!!!!! Can I wear brown full length boots (as is correct dress with ratcatcher in fact!) Spurs? whip? If so, what sort, hunting whip?
Thanks
Sam

As I understand it,if your horse goes well in a snaffle then better to use that as you can get judges taking points off for double bridle,but if you need one then you will have to use one,I have always understood no martingale and definitly no overreach/brushing boots.
Also thought black boots and hat,but could be wrong re: boots it would depend at what standard you were showing as well I suppose how strictly they adhere to the code/rules....never used spurs myself so cant help you there.

Sam it's been several years since I did a working hunter class, however I'm sure a friend of mine did one recently, like sometime this year so I'll try and speak to her tomorrow and ask. I'm remembering different things and they may not be accurate.

How come your're doing a WH class ? :-)

OH GOD DON'T ASK!!!!!!! My Cleveland Bay has never done anything like it in his life, in fact I am full of dread at the prospect, but I feel i owe it to him to try & get him capable of doing something other than hunting, which is currently all he is capable of as he HATES anything else. He normally has 3 months off in summer, shoes off, out at grass, but decided to use the time to try & teach him something useful, plus it will help him stay a bit fit before hound excercise starts again in July. Anyway, local EC putting on tiniest (I hope!) show at the weekend with about 8 classes, one of which is "working hunter type" & I have no idea what to expect as I spend my summers showing dogs rather than horses!!!! Hopefully it will be such a casual affair & I won't be recognised by anyone, but as I am on the committee of the PC, I feel obliged to do it right, but haven't got the nerve to ring one of the kids to ask them (I would never live it down!!) We can probably do without brushing boots for this one-off class, do I have to jump anything? Oh heck, I may have to have a few stiff drinks before I go in the ring!!!
Look forward to any more advice.

Sam,

Don't hold me to this but i don't think you will have to jump anything. A "Working Hunter Horse/Pony" class normally involves jumping a course of jumps rustic supposed to be hunting stlye but i have never seem a rustic show jump when i have been out hunting but there you go :D But "Working Hunter Type" i would think that you would have to jump anything or maybe just one. Does it say in the schedule anything along the lines of 'Height of jumps...' or 'Maybe required to jump..' as normally in showing classes if you will be required to jump it is in the schedule.

And what about hunter trials instead as his something useful you might bith enjoy them - just a thought :)

Good luck and don't forget to let us know how it goes!

Tracy

Sam,there is a series of rustic/brown (not show) jumps first usually with bushes etc..at the side,depending on how many in the class if you dont clear these you dont bother to do the rest as theres no point,but if you clear them you then do walk...trot..canter and extended canter as in show class.
Brown boots should be ok providing they are proper riding boots thats fine,you should check with the judge before hand if its ok to use spurs and a riding whip,the latter is a short one. good luck :)
The Judge can ride a horse only in 'RIDDEN show hunter classes'

Sam,I can get you a written show info from someone I know whos an expert,when is your show??

One of this months horsey mags (Horse/Horse and Rider/Your Horse) has a showing guide attached - nothing on in hand which was disappointing as that was why I bought it but sure they had something on showing under the saddle and assorted classes - including requirements of rider and horses tack and clothing. Good luck when is your show? Beamish and I have our first in hand next month if he's sound I swear since i said show he's had more cuts and scrapes than he has all year!!!

KirstyS

:)

Sport Horse Breeding (GB) website www.sporthorsegb.co.uk. Membership £35

BSPS www.britishshowponysociety.co.uk Membership £27

Should both have some good info.

Most working hunter classes: you enter the ring, and walk trot and canter togther. Then individual show, which includes a change of direction, usually at the canter,changing legs in front of the judge (simple or flying) and a short gallop. The judge may or may not then ride your horse himself. Then its back into line for saddles off and show in hand and the judge "goes over the horse" . Then you will be expected to jump a round of natural fences up to about 3'6" ( maybe 3'9") which may include opening and shutting a gate mounted. I would only use a snaffle bridle in a novice class and definately a double bridle/pelham in any other. If the horse goes well in a snaffle then you can "ride on the bridoon" rein, and have the curb rein a little looser so you just have a very light contact with it to stop the curb jiggling around in his mouth. However if you are going to use a double do get him used to it beforehand, and use one that has a small port. Alhough you cant use a drop noseband, you can have the plain noseband done up tightish to try and stop him opening his mouth, as long as its not too low. Also a pulled tail is preffered to a plaited one in any hunter classes, and not too many plaits, stick to 7 or 9 and not the many tiny ones that some show ponies sport. I would only use a martingale if you absolutely have to - its not really "done", but if you think you will get "carted" without it, it may be as well to use a snaffle+martingale. Don't use a martingale and double bridle together. Although numnahs are frowned on you can get away with a brown Cottage Craft type, padded cotton one, that is almost hidden by the saddle. Depends how seriously you are competing or if you are doing it for fun. Good luck, do let us know how you get on.

I had horses for a long time from being a child to my late 30s,I had mostly liked Jumping,and hunter trials which were great fun,I had a spell of not going to shows and when I went back I remember walking the course and suddenly thought God I dont remeber the jumps being so High!!! I had lost my nerve,then a friend said she would take my horse in and she fell at a jump and winded herself for several heartstopping moments I thought she was dead, I was hysterical, I never took her again.I did try showing under saddle and as she was grey it was so difficult to keep her perfectly clean from box to ring (as the tiniest spot of dust counts) I gave that up as well.I still have a great love of horses but dont have the time to dedicate to one now,I believe you dont bounce the same at middle age LOL My cousins Horse is still alive he is about 34,so it can be a long time commitment.
If i win the lottery Ill have one though :)

I've spoken to me mate who has done a number of WH classes, last one she did was last year. I'll list what she says, some of it does contradict what others including myself think but hopefully it will be of use to you anyway.

Dress: she prefers to wear a shirt & tie (no stock pin), fawn/cream coloured jodhs (not white), tweed jacket, adults should wear long boots black preferable but brown acceptable. Skull cap type hat must be worn for jumping part.

Tack: any bridle, be it double or single, any bit be it pelham, snaffle, gag, any noseband be it grackle, drop, flash and a martingale is allowed. You won't lose points whether you use a double or single bridle but you must use exactly the same tack for jumping and showing so you would need to be comfortable with your choice. Saddle preferably a jumping or working hunter saddle but not essential. Numnah's are allowed but she prefer's not to use them. Spurs are okay although if judge rides your horse they probably won't use spurs. Jumping whip for jumping part which may be swapped to a cane for showing part. Overreach and brushing boots allowed for jumping part only.

There should be a steward in the ring who will tell you what to do as different shows do different things but this is what you might expect to happen:

Jumping part first, usualy 8 or 10 jumps, all rustic, can be water jumps, bushes etc. salute the judge first, best to canter round at a steady pace, try not to trot inbetween fences, after the last fence do a short steady gallop up say one side of the ring, salute the judge then walk out of the ring. Less penalties for a knock down than a refusal. Clears will go through to next round, if not many clears then those with the lesser penalties may go through

Showing part next, walk round ring usually at 2 or 3 horses distance, everyone trots then everyone canters, the judge may ask for a gallop but not always, this is usually done on one rein. If the judge is going to ride your horse (they don't always) they will then call you in one by one and ride your horse as they please, then ask you to take off the saddle and stand your horse so the judge may look him over, feel over him etc. then you walk away from the judge leading your horse turn round and trot your horse back. This is so the judge can see that the horse as a steady movement. You then put your saddle back on and the next person is called forward. At the end you all walk round the ring and the judge calls you in as you are placed.

She says you may do some or all of this, the steward should tell you what to do. Most of all she said Good Luck and enjoy it. :-)

HTH.
Claire.

I think this is all far too complicated Sam, why not copy that famous horsewoman of Coventry :D

Isabel,
Perhaps her hair isn't long enough to cover her modestly :D :D

This is a huge help, although not sure we are up to it now I have read all that! Wonder why I can't wear a stock? Don't own a tie! As for plaits, well tough luck, as he is hogged! May smarten it up with another trim, although normally let it grow in the summer. As for "hunter trials", well thats altogether too scary....both Brook & I firmly believe that you only ever jump something if its stopping you keeping up with hounds & there is no gateway!!!!!! We would never get around a course thats for sure. I will let you know how it goes on Sunday, & thanks for everyones help.

Sam

Why not try Le Trec? You have three phases, orienteering, control of paces and an obstacle section, some of which have to be jumped, but which also include riding over bridges, opening gates, getting on the wrong side etc. It's really good fun and a challenge :D

http://www.bhs.org.uk/TREC/TREC.htm/

Alternatively. Why not take up side saddle?

Kate

errrrr.........thanks.....but no thanks..........only trying to save horse from knackers yard, not perform a miracle!

Hunter Trials were my favourite as once my horse got going I couldn't stop him anyway :-) - we were always guaranteed a good time, and as long as I could point him in the right direction, luckily he would jump anything and always managed to stay on his legs. No points for style though!!

Sam I think you can wear a stock, the shirt & tie was just her personal preference. :-)

Le Trec is great fun - looking forward to getting into it with my babe when he's old enough.

KirstyS
:)

Hi Sam - very best of luck tomorrow, please do post and let us know how you get on.

TOTAL DISASTER........ Brook has had a niggling on off sort of lameness for a month, which farrier put down to being slightly gravelled. 3 days ago an odd exit hole appeared above the heel so took him to vet yesterday......After much digging about, we found he has a hole through the frog, right through the foot & exiting about 2" above heel bulb. Vet V.concerned & he is on mega antibiotics for 2 weeks plus hot poulticing alt. days & filling the hole with special packing.Have to report to him daily on any changes, he thinks it could be serious because of damage to pedal bone. V. fed up! Horse enjoying the attention!

Bummer, sorry to hear that Sam :-( Horses!! The best thing that happens with them is that nothing happens huh? He sounded a wonderful horse, you don't have any pics do you?

Fran

Sam I'm truly sorry to hear that. I hope things do improve and soon.

Claire.
x

Struth, sorry to hear this. What do you pack the hole with - in my day it was stockholm tar and ribbons of bandage- but that was a very long time ago. I do hope he recovers quickly and completely, what a nightmare.

Nothing hight-tech in this instance....gamgee soaked in iodine! On vets instructions.

Sam,
I hope your horse recovers. My mom's been dealing with a lameness problem in her Tenn Walk...but doubt it's the same drastic symptom as yours. It's better, but only because she gave up on shoeing her horse a couple of years ago. Feet toughened up & no more lameness problems....just that she likes to fall on her front knees every so often.
Odd couple, but they do fit together well. Beemer's her big baby & gives her something to research on & obsess happily about :D
good luck, Sam, I'm rooting for your buddy :D
toodles

Ouch what a nightmare - hope he/she is better soon.

KirstyS
:)

Sam ,hope your horses foot problem clears up, now then, a dog expert I am not, but horses I can do, is your working hunter class County or riding club standard, boots are permissable but should be preferably a dark colour and should be removed after the jumping phase, any other tack ie. martingales, bits etc cannot be changed ! ladies usually wear tweed jackets but navy or black with matching hat is ok, plain bridle, working hunter is much one of the better classes as horse is judged on jumping ability, manners, conformation etc on a points system, rather than on judges preference,

regards Lorraine

hi sam i compete in working hunte,its a novice then a snaffle but in an open class itis entierly up to what bit you use.martingales can be worn so can boots but only for the jumping part!tweed jacket shirt tie hat black,brown or green depending on your jacket colour i.e green tweed jacket black hat blue tweed blue hat.long boots with spurs if your horse doesnt need sours then you can buy dummy ones its basically just for show.plain bridle nothing coloued flat nosebsand yes flashes can been worn were would i be if you couldnt!numnuhs can be worn but very discrete.well i hope ive been helpful and goodluck hope you have a good next couple of seasons