Comments on: How to Compete in Hunter Hack

on 9/16/2008 You can't lunge a horse over jumps that have standards. Instead, if you have a spooky horse, be sure the rider keeps their eyes up and leg closed on the horse to support the nervous horse over the jump. You should only jump with the help and supervision of a qualified trainer.

on 7/4/2006 Don't go up into jumping position until it is time to jump. Otherwise, you are cuing your horse too early and confusing him! This could cause an accident or a bad jump. If you have a horse that spooks a lot, take the horse over the jumps before the class to get him use to it! Put him on a lunge line and lunge him over them, that way you know how he is going to react to the jumps, and how you are going to respond!

on 2/10/2006 If your horse doesn't go well on a loose contact, lower his frame and put him on the bit. This will help him be more responsive, have a better, rounder gait and look easier to ride. I ride a 5 year old, super sensitive TB who always breaks on a loose contact, so this works wonders for us.

on 11/22/2005 When you are in an hunter class of any sort, make sure to relax and look like the horse you are riding is a joy to ride. Keep as little contact with the horse as possible. If you are pulling on his mouth, the judge will think he is hard to ride and no fun. So just relax!