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Hunters
Equitation
Jumpers
Fence Heights
Rated and Non-rated points
Champion and Reserve Champion
Classics
A Ratings
How many times have I sat at the ring with a group of moms as we are all trying to understand the different classes and what each means? Have you ever tried to explain to what is happening at these shows to your non-showing friends and family? Here is my best effort at creating a set of definitions for hunter/jumper showing.
There are three types of classes at most hunter/jumper shows: Hunters, Equitation, and Jumpers.
Hunters are judged on the horses movement, presence, manner of going and jumping ability. There are "over fences" classes and "under saddle" classes. The rider is not really judged at all unless she does something to interfere with the horse's movement.
Equitation classes are judged on the rider and their position, poise and ability. The movement of the horse does not really count.
Jumpers -speed or time and going clean over fences is all that counts in jumpers. Faults are given for time or knocking down a pole.
Fence Heights - a particular division or class will have a certain height of fences. Once you crack the code - the name of the class and the fence height for jumping, you'll understand more of what is happening.
Some examples:
Junior, Amateur Owner, and First Year Green Hunter fences are set at 3'6". These classes pay the most money and are usually rated AAA to A. Classes are often divided by rider's age and in the Junior Hunters, the size of the horse. Modified classes are a bit smaller at 3'3". Modified classes are scored with a blue ribbon at 77-100 and red 70-76 and nothing for under 70.
Children's, Adult Amateur and Pre-Green Hunter fences are set at 3'. These classes pay less money and usually rated C at a show.
Baby Green, Special Hunter, Short and Long Stirrup Hunter fences are at 2'6". These classes are non-rated and do not pay money or give points for rankings in your zone or region.
Pony land has its own rules - small ponies are at 2'3", medium at 2'6" and large ponies at 3'. The pony divisions also have a model and conformation classes.
Other important Facts: *
Rated and Non-rated points are given under USAE rules in the rated classes. Points are accumulated at each show and entered by zone, region or nationally depending the class. Go to www.usef.org for more information on points. *
Champion and Reserve Champion are awarded based on the most points for the division. They must have the most points over fences and the top four are the only ones who receive full points for the under saddle and half points for ribbons won in the model. *
Classics are divisions of two jumping rounds with the scores added together to produce the final result for the class. Each horse does one round that is scored and the top fifteen horses with the highest points are invited back for a second round. Many older children wear something called a shadbelly - a coat with tails, a white shirt, and a stock tie. (Just more money to spend!) *
A Ratings - Shows are rated from AAA to C depending on the number of points that are given. AAA and AA have the most points per ribbon and C have the fewest.
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