How to Compete in Hunter Under Saddle

Hunter under saddle is the preliminary class for English riding disciplines. The rider works the horse at the three gaits and does not do any jumps. Hunter under saddle derives from fox hunts, when riders would ride into the field after the foxes.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spurs
• English Riding Jacket
• Light-colored Shirts
• English Reins
• English Saddle
• Breeches
• Headstalls
• Leather Riding Gloves
• Riding Boots
• Riding Helmets
• Snaffle Bit

1. Select a horse that rides English and has a long, elegant stride. Any breed and any size of horse can compete as long as it has the movements.

2. Use English saddle and tack.

3. Wear traditional English attire: a hunt coat, breeches, high English riding boots, and a hunting cap.

4. Hold the reins in your hands with your hands just above the withers and slightly apart, knuckles rotated 30 degrees inside the vertical. There should be a straight line from the horse's mouth to the rider's elbow.

5. Flex your ankles, keep your heels down, and maintain contact with the horse through your calves. Keep your legs slightly behind the girth.

6. Keep your head up, shoulders back and legs straight under you (not forward or back).

7. Enter the arena with the other riders in the class.

8. Listen for instructions from the judge.

9. Circle the perimeter of the arena with the other riders.

10. Ride the walk, trot and canter according to the judge's request.

11. Be judged on the smoothness of the horse's gait, its free-flowing stride and willingness to perform.

Tips & Warnings

• Hunter under saddle is called a flat class because it has no jumps.

on 2/10/2006 When in a flat class it is absolutely essential to be moving at a good pace (about an 11 foot canter stride). Your reins shouldn't be overly tight and your horse should have flatter type knees.

Another tip is to put lots of Show Sheen or Cowboy Magic on your horses neck, his chest, his hind quarters and the front of his front legs.
Also feel free to use black around the horses eyes.

Yet another tip is to use a very clean saddle pad and to make sure that bit is carrot free!

Another thing I have noticed is that half-chaps are OK in competition as long as they are clean and fit snuggly.

on 11/29/2005 Raising into a light three point is better than riding the canter normaly.

on 11/22/2005 When you are in an under saddle class, don't let your horse plod along or take off! If you have a slow, plodding horse, use a little extra leg to push him forward, which will develop a longer, flowing stride. If your horse is fast, play with the reins a little to ask him to go onto the bit and slow down.

Also, rather than circling tight against the edge of the arena, go slightly to the inside. When you are on the side of the judge, he/she is usually elevated and cannot fully see you if you are right up next to the fence. When you are on the opposite side from the judge, you are not blocked by other horses.