Hunt Seat Pleasure
Horses are judged on their abilities to be a pleasure style mount. Horses are asked to walk, trot, canter and sometimes hand gallop both directions of the arena, to stand in a line-up, rein-back and possible other movements at the direction of the judge. Entries should work with a smooth regular gait, a natural willing and responsive headset; not necessarily fully flexed at the poll depending upon breed, conformation and style. They should show a forward - going way of impulsion and conformation consistence with a smooth and sustainable ride such a s a well-sloped shoulder, good pasterns, and a supple back with well-developed hind quarters. The demeanor of the horse (model) should be of happy and obedient
participation in the class.
Tack:
Forward seat saddle with a string or leather girth and bridles of matching leather with a cavesson noseband and bit, usually a snaffle bit. Most bits are legal however (snaffles of all types, pelhams and double bridles), it is assumed however that the rider is not relying upon a strong bit to control the horse, therefore a snaffle is recommended for this class.
In most countries horses are shown with a white fitted saddle pad (called a numnah) in England though horses are shown without one and just the bare saddle on the horse's back. On the West Coast in California is style of riding without a pad under the saddle is also often seen.
Rider:
Because a hunt seat doll is very hard to get in the correct postion it often detracts from a good entry more than enhancing it. The best doll to use to get in the correct postion is a Mego fully jointed doll. Breyer dolls just can't cut it. Whatever doll you use it should be not only be in the correct postioned for the gait with good rein contact but should be dressed in black, brown tweed, brown, dark green or navy blue hunt coat, light shirt with choker (stock pin optional, monograms fashionable) light-colored beeches (no white) with full boots or beige jophpurs with jodhpur boots, hard hat and any long hair should be tied up in a bun or hairnet. Shadbelly coats, bright colors, top hats, and bowlers are not seen (except male riders may wear
bowlers if they are wearing tweed or casual ring attire.) This style is appropriate for European entries. Riders may also wear uniforms from Riding Schools just as Spanish Riding School, Oxford Riding School, French Calvary School, etc. The uniform would consist of beeches, uniform jacket, school hat or cap, full boots and white gloves.
Things to be on the Lookout
Boots, Martingales, Side Reins, Figure-8, Flash and Drop Nosebands or other devices for controlling the headset are forbidden. Saddle and bridles usually match in color. Stock Hunt Bridles generally have a white browband and noseband under the leather on the bridle. Entries are often braided (usually on the right side of neck) and bridles may be laced, braided or plain. Rein contact is steady but gentle
at all times. On a model entry this "looks" that the rein is in a direct straight line from the bit to the rider's hand. Using sticky wax helps to achieve the look.
Some breeds have a distinct way of going that represent the huntseat stand for their breed. An example is the BHR Hunter, which is moving in a way that typifies the stock-type hunter but is not indictive of the movement of a sport-type huntseat pleasure mount. Huntseat Arabians tend to have slightly more action, although excessive action should be penalized. Breast plates and cruppers are legal tack for huntseat pleasure, but their presence indicates that the horse is less than ideally shaped and therefore requires mechincal assistance to keep the saddle in postion. Showers should be discouraged from using these items for effect. Entries that make reference to a breed association or particular national standard (AQHA, AHSA etc) on the comment line or a note saying (shown on the flat at Wembly for a European (England) entry) should get extra credit if the model is clearly performing to the standard.
Mane and tail braided with complementary color also should receive extra credit.
Hunt Seat Trail
Attire
Same as Hunt Seat Pleasure.
Obstacles:
Many associations severly limit the obstacles allowed; especially AQHA, ApHA and APHC. However these restricted obstacles are allowed in AHSA so unless the entry specifically states the horse is being shown in the restricted breed association approved show then a lentient standard should take precedence. Unless the obstacle is balantly unsafe. AHSA rules state unsafe obstacles are the following: fire extingushers, perforated plywood in water boxes, exotic wild animals (lions, tigers and bears staked out) or unsafe elements such as hay bales (height too high and horse can stab and foot down into the bale and be unable to pull its foot free.) Not that these items should be banned, but not recommended. A setup with these items should not be eliminated but may be penalized at the judge's discretion. Recommended obstacles are as follows:
JUMP
Mounted: maximum height 24"
Lead over: maximum height 18"
Minium width between jumps standards 4'
Box jumps or L jumps pole must be a minimum of 12'long
CAVALETTI
Jog 3' to 3' 6" apart, measured between the poles
Lope 6 to 7 ' apart
BACK THROUGH
On ground minimum width 28"
Elevated minimum width 30"
Barrels minimum width 32"
WALK-OVER
Single step over maximum height 16"
Multiples maximum height 10", minimum width between 20"
No rolling poles allowed!
SIDE PASS
Single poll maximum 24" high
Slots minimum 24" space between the poles.
TIRES
Space between tires if any should be equal to outside diameter of tire
SERPENTINES (JOG)
Pylons 6' or more base to base, guardrails minimum 3' to side of pylon
Pylons 3 to 6' base to base guardrails minimum 6 to 8'
Tall standards dimensions should be looser
GATE
Minimum 60" high with latch available at that height
EXTRA CREDIT:
Working the gate "tight"; opening the gate the minimum amount necessary to allow the horse and rider to pass while preventing imaginary stock from escaping. Any imagination in obstacle designed.
Natural Trail
Natural trail classes are judged under the same rules and with the same requirements as Arena Trail but are held outside of the arena using natural obstacles such as creeks, ponds, uphill and downhills slopes, ditches fallen trees, bushes, pasture gates, etc.
Trail Scenes:
Trail riding scenes should be judged on realism, imagination, and the horse's apparent ability to provide a safe and pleasureable ride. Any English style tack and any English attire permitted; saddles should have girths. Unsafe equipment may be penalized at the judge's decision. Any misbehavior should be penalized, including but not limited to shying, bucking, rearing, fighting the bridle, being above the bit, jumping or leaping away of the obstacle.
Photo Credit:
Top & Bottom: DA Ruby Cairo, warmblood mare, horse, doll, and tack made and owned by Karon Grieve.
Resources :
AQHA Rulebook
AHSA Rulebook
ApHC Rulebook
NAMSHA Rulebook