Hunter showing... (now i'm filling up space for the stupid 20 letter thing..)

Question

okay, so even though i am an eventer through and through, the local circuit of hunter shows is running them at my barn, so i'm going to be showing in them (no trailer, so only way to show this year..)

but, my horse is used to flatting with a "full seat" as opposed to the "hunter half seat" that all the hunter/equtation riders use, so i can't get nice transitions or a nice canter when i go into the huter half seat (and yes, i do it correctly, i rode hunters for 4 years) so in a hunter under saddle class or other hunter flat class, would i be penilized for sitting the canter as opposed to half seating?

Also, you rarely see hunter horses collected like the dressage horses, but without collection my horse drags his feet and would be laughed out of the ring in a HUS class, but when collected he could WIN.. so what should i do about that?

And finially our canter to walk transitions SUCK. They just do, we can never get them.. so how much trotting would be acceptable before must be in the walk?

And finally, my horse is known to buck/kick out at horses passing him.. mostly mares but he hates just about all the horses in the world, so where would i put a red ribbon to warn people of this? ( I know to put it in the tail, but how do i attach it without a braid in his hair?

I know, alot of questions, but i want to make this a good experience for the two of us (first show together) And don't worry, we're not jumping at this show.. just a few flat classes.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Here's my answer as an eventer:  Just ride him as you normally do and don't worry too much about winning.  It would be better for your dressage/eventing training to continue to ride him consistently, then to change things on him all of the sudden just because some hunter shows are held at your barn.  Enter, have fun, use the jumping rounds as practices for stadium, but don't worry about being the perfect hunter pair since that's not what you are (or not what you want to be).  You should not be judged on your seat type in non-equitation classes, but you never know what kind of biases the judges come in with.

Answer 2

I think you're going to be just fine, I sit the canter when I ride hunters and you can trot around 3 steps when you transition.

To put the ribbon in his tail grab some hair in the middle and do one braid piece, put the ribbon in and do one more piece, then put a band around it, and finally tie the ribbon in a bow. No one will notice the "braid" because it will be so small and the ribbon will be around it. (i sure hope that made sense)

Good luck and I hope I helped (:

Answer 3

I'm not an english rider, but there's one question there that I CAN answer. When you want to put a ribbon on a horse's tail without a braid, you can usually tie it around the entire tail. I have also seen people use children's hair ties (with all the frills on them). You can buy red ribbon at your local fabric shop, and tie it around the entire tailbone. This is what most western riders that have kicker horses do.

http://www.naturalhorsesupply.com/images...  (just with a red ribbon instead of yellow)

Answer 4

You will absoloutetly (hahah sp) not be penalized for a not half halting. Collect him all  you want. that is what hunter usuallyis. You will be penalized for trotting during you transition from canter to walk. So, maybe a stronger bit, or look at clinton anderson's techniques. Just attach a rubber band around a piece of hair and tie the ribbon to that.  

Answer 5

1- although a half seat would be more appreciated, you can sit your canter. dont sit too hard and use thigh to keep your leg from sliding

2- i know what its like to have a horse that drags his feet..but practice extending it, not collecting. Just because he would stand out majorly..in a bad way.

3- a few steps would be fine, just remember to sit deep and use leg to move the horse into the bit then pull back to walk, which actually makes it easier to slow down.

4- tie a ribbon around a chunk of hair and you can use hair clips to keep it from slipping

5- good luck and have fun!

Answer 6

the judge would rather you sit a trot a few steps b4 the canter rather than get the wrong lead. Don't worry about sitting the canter.... as long as you keep your back arched and don't sit too hard! Have fun!

Answer 7

As an eventer, I'm sure you've implemented a half seat a few times to work on stride lengthening in the canter. I'd say practice your half seat often in the canter, if your horse is used to riding with full seat contact, you're just going to need to keep the impulsion with your legs so he doesn't break. For equitation classes, a full seat in canter is actually desireable. For hunter classes, the half seat isn't "required" per se, but it definitely helps your horse extend, and since your horse is the one being judged in a hunter class, you want his canter to be the nicest you can muster. Also, other noteworthy things, in equitation, you want to maintain steady contact with your reins, but in a hunter class, let your horse have a loose rein and allow him to lower his neck. Before a show, I'd dedicate several rides to strictly canter/walk transitions. As soon as you pick up the canter, begin asking for the walk, as soon as you are in the walk, ask for the canter, etc. When in the canter, implement several half halts before you ask for your walk, to get your horse off the forehand and ease him into the downward transition. There is no set number of "allowed" trot steps in between your transitions, the main importance is to keep your horse collected and in good form. A quick downward transition that is jerky, and that leaves your horse with a plodding, lazy walk is worse than several trot steps that lead to a forward, engaged walk on the bit. Also, if your horse has problems being "collected" with a loose rein, do not worry about being like the "other hunter horses". The point is to keep your horse looking his best, no matter what works best for him. If your horse stays engaged and collected in the ring, I promise you will do well.  

Answer 8

1. probably not as long as your movement in the saddle shows off your horses movement.

2. keep him collected lol. some judges really like that.

3. as quick of a transition as possible. i'd say a few steps of trot are alright.

4. just tie a red ribbon around the middle section of the top of his tail hair lol.