Hunters.....?

Question

I'm new to jumping and my horse is too slow to do jumpers but he has good frame and form and likes jumping soooo i decided on hunters! =)

i don't want to know about what the horse and rider must do

but i want to know what is the proper horse and rider attire?

i've already researched and read everything i could find about hunter classes and i know what is expected of our performance but i have never shown and i don't know what anyone wears or uses for tack?

are dress boots or feild boots more common in hunters?(tall boots for the rider)

black boots or brown?

do i wear a tan coat? or navy?

i know the stock ties remain simple with a big gold pin

are flash's acceptable? can it be a raised bridle or does it have to be flat? are figure 8's okay? or no? are you only allowed to use snaffles?

does the tack have to be brown or can it be black?

thanks! best answer gets 10 points!

Answer 1

Field boots, typically black.

Navy coats are more common but tan is acceptable depending on your level.

You do not need a stock tie in hunters, however, show shirts for hunters normally come with colars that wou can stick a pin on.

Flashes are more commonly used for dressage and eventing.

Figure eight bridles are not common but are acceptable.

You can use any type of bit that works for your horse (english bit i mean, imagine entering a hunter show with a western curb!)

The tack is more commonly brown, but black is occasionally seen at lower level shows.

You can use any type of rein you like, but laced are more common.

Bridles aren't commonly flat, but would be acceptable at a schooling show. It dosent matter if it is padded or not as long as it is brown.

Wow! that was alot of writing, but I hope it was helpful.

Answer 2

First of all, attire mostly depends on the type of show you are in.  Check the rules of the shows you are entering, as a local show is different than A than pony club than 4-H than local circuits, etc.

As far as your attire NO gold pin NO stock tie.(Edit: it's not that these aren't allowed, but they are not "cool."  They were forbidden by the A-circuit girls of my college IHSA team).  I have seen brown and black boots, but I would stick with black.  Field boots only; dress boots are for dressage.  You should wear a darker coat, but it doesn't have to be navy, usually.  I reccommend a navy coat with striping or a light plaid.  Wear a colored show shirt.  It is popular to have your itials embroidered on the collar.  Green-beige tailored sportsman are the most popular breeches.  GPA helmets are mst popular.  Also, IRH and Charles Owens.  I like the IRH SSV.  Dover has all kinds of A hunter clothes.  You should look like this http://www.doversaddlery.com/the-elite-l...  

Your hair should be in a hair net and secured under your helmet (no one uses the old "show bows")--no hair should be showing.

I think that tack can be brown or black, but you should use brown.  I am not sure of the bit restrictions.  Snaffles are always allowed.  In most shows, flashes and figure eight's are prohibited.  Again, check with the shows you wish to enter.

EDIT:  SUGGESTION: If I were in your shoes, I would go to whatever local circuit's shows that you wish to begin competing in before showing.  Take a couple of days and attend the show without riding in it.  Go with a horse friend, your family, or alons and scope everyone and everything out.  You will get a feel for what others use/wear and should be able to pick up a rule book or find out where you can get one.

Answer 3

How exciting! This is a great question, I've bought tack in the past that wasn't suitable for what we wanted to do long term. Now I'd consult and buy the correct tack first time round!

Okay for starters you'll be competing in the novice section, so tack etc isn't quite so important. But what I would recommend is that all the new tack you buy - make sure it is correct.

Correct hunter turnout: Saddle and bridle to be in brown leather, flat leather on the bridle with smooth (plain reins). In other terms - plain workman like gear. If you are looking at getting a new bridle, consider getting a saddle to make one that fits your horse correctly - ie all buckles line up at the horses eye height, they are quiet affordable and great quality that will stand up to everyday work and be polished up for show day.

If you are under 17 short boots are fine, these should be brown. Matching saddle etc. Preferable leather sole.

Jacket should be tan worn with a stock and pin. I'm not sure about button wholes etc, can't find my manual at present.

Now for the confusing part: at smaller shows gear tends to get a little flashy. For flat hunter classes (no jumping) many riders now wear colourful shirts and stock. But for Royal events, National titles etc you need to have correct plain gear again.

What events are you competing at? If it's Agricultural society events they produce a manual stating the dress code for events i.e. formal or informal attire. These can be purchased, I'd suggest you contact the secretary that is holding the biggest show in your area, they should hold copies for distribution.

Best of luck with the jumping :) You sound like a winner already.

Regarding using a flash - use what ever you need to keep safe first then correct gear second.

Answer 4

field boots

black

dark colored coat, navy and black are best....no tan coats!

gold pins work, but really many hunter riders dont seem to wear them now

no flashes...illegal ive seen people kicked out for using them, also D-ring bits will score you higher

NO BLACK TACK!!!! very very bad and occasionally illegal in hunters, gets you big deductions

also

fitted white saddle pads

matching tack will score higher

hair must be concealed in helmet with hair net

black gloves

braided manes are a must in bigger shows

no plastic helmets at all

no funky colored breeches, just tan or beige

and a dirty horse (even one tiny spot) will place lower than a clean one with the same scoring round

granted, if you are new to jumping, you will probably be in smaller shows and this might be overkill, but you never know!

Answer 5

I don't know if you are in UK or USA so the tack & riders dress would be different .....BUT.... it would be wasting time and money to show your horse at the very first show you attend. Go to a couple of shows without your horse, major shows if you can get there ('County  Shows' in UK) and study carefully what other exhibitors are wearing and how the horses are presented.

Answer 6

-Field boots

-Black field boots

-You can wear tan or navy.

- No flash's

-Bridle doesn't matter

-My horse doesn't have a snaffle and I've been okay

-Tack has to be brown

Answer 7

field boots

doesnt matter what color hunt coat

brown tack

black boots

flash nosebands are 4 dressage only

hope this helps!

Answer 8

I will post pictures of what you will need for you and the horse.

YOU:

Jacket: http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

Navy Blue or Charcol colors are standard but light grey is in style at the time. I love my Tailored Sportsman jacket but they are pricey.

Show Shirt/Ratcatcher: http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

This can be pretty much any color but it looks best if it matches the shirt to the coat. Avoid the really bright colors becuase they look stupid (well... I think they do). it does need to be long steeved incase jackets are waved. I like my R.J. Classics Coolmax shirt. It really is cooler that the other fabrics. No stock tie. That is for dressage.

Tan Knee Patch Breeches:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

I actually have this brand exactly and they are really comfy and not terribly pricey. Different brand fits different people better though so just try on a bunch at a tack store.

Field (not dress) Boot: http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

I also have these boots and love them. They took like a week to break in and I can wear them for hours on end without a problem.

Black Gloves:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

I like leather gloves (they feel nicer and give better grip) but the fabric ones are fine as well.

Black Velvet Helmet:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

This helmet in particular is really popular with young girls. IRH is a great brand. I have one of their cheaper helmets to school in and a nicer one for shows. Helmets with the silver stripe are popular (IRH and GPA) at the time. I would go to your local tack store and just start trying them on. Remember to try them on with your hair up inside of it becuase you will have to show like that. Nothing is worse than getting a BAD headache in a class because your helmet is to small.

Brown Jumping Saddle:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/henri-de-ri...

I have this saddle and love it. Pessoa, Henri de Rivel, Collegiate and Marcel Toulouse make are good saddles. The saddle needs to be leather and the color needs to compliment the horse. I found HDRs and Collegiates are best with narrow horses. Pessoas run in loads of different sizes but mostly fit meduim sized horses. M. Toulouse saddles are better with medium/wider horses.

Socks:

http://www.soxtrot.co.nz/

These are not really necessary but they are pretty and make life easier. The brand doesnt matter and you can pick them up at pretty much any tack store.

Belt:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/small-cowbo...

These belts are popular but any will do. The ribbon belt things are acceptable at the lower levels.

HORSE

Bridle:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/small-cowbo...

Most people used raised with stitching on the nose and brow band. It just needs to match the saddle and fit. Simple nose bands only. No flashes or figure 8s.

Martingale:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

Standing only. Most people use them on my circuits wether the horse needs it or not. It looks better if it is raised like the bridle but it doesnt have to be. Match color to saddle and bridle.

Brown Jumping Saddle:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/henri-de-ri...

I have this saddle and love it. Pessoa, Henri de Rivel, Collegiate and Marcel Toulouse make are good saddles. The saddle needs to be leather and the color needs to compliment the horse. I found HDRs and Collegiates are best with narrow horses. Pessoas run in loads of different sizes but mostly fit meduim sized horses. M. Toulouse saddles are better with medium/wider horses. You will want to try your horse in it to be sure it fits before you buy.

Saddle Pad:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

I had this one for awhile and it was fine. I try not to spend a lot on the pads because they get really dirty fast and the fake fleece doesnt last well. They do make solid sheepskin pads though. It need to be fitted to the saddle. You want and inch showing on all sides.

Girth:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

I like the look of this girth better than that of the leather ones. It just looks better with the fleece pad.

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

Leather ones last longer and are more popular. They are more expensive though (by a lot)

Half Pad:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

These are really popular. Some horses need them (mine does) but lots of people use them cause they look spiffy. Personally I like the ovations brand better.

Bits:

D-rings or Full Cheeks are the way to go if you can ride your horse in them. Judges like to see the horse in them. If your horse will go in either then pick the one that complements his face (my TB looks funny in a D-ring)

http://www.doversaddlery.com/korsteel-to...

My trainer uses this bit on strong horses. Pelhams are actually popular for Medal Classes in my area. Not sure why but they are. Kimberwiks(sp?) can be used as well.

Boots and Wraps:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

Jump Boots and White Polo wraps can be used in Equitation classes (not hunter) but I dont suggest it. If you do choose to use them I would use leather boot with fleece instead of neoprem. I think they look more huntery. Polo wraps need to be white (possibly can be black but I am not positive) and impeccably done.

EDIT: I think I got everything.

EDIT EDIT: I forgot reins...

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

They need to match the bridle (which matches the saddle...) Laced reins are a must. Make sure the size works too. Some horses have a short neck and actually need pony reins.

Stirrups:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

These are popular and comfy. I would get ones with black rubber if you have a dark horse and grey ones for a white/grey horse.

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

These stirrups are just the traditional ones (favored by George Morris). I would get heavy ones (they sell plastic and light weight) because if you loose a stirrup the heavy ones wont move as mush as you get it back. Lighter ones will fly around a bit more.

Stirrup Leathers:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

Make sure these match the saddle. Best way to do that is to buy the same brand saddle and leathers. The leathers need to be long enough that to extra can go through the keeper on the saddle with a little left over.

http://lizditz.typepad.com/i_speak_of_dr...

If its too short and will not fit in the keeper which will cause a lump under your leg. If it is too long then the extra leather will hang down and is distracting.

...ok NOW I like I got everything. Maybe not. I might add a bit as I remember.

And if you have any other questions or a question about what I said above then email me (on my page or [e-mail])

Answer 9

Hi have been doing the hunters for a while and i hope i can help!

Rider Attire- breeches tallboots show shirt with a collar and a show coat. The color of your coat doesn't matter but soem shows do not aprove of pin stripes. A SEI aproved helmet.  and Yes Stock ties are aproved. Doesn't matter color of helmet or boots.

horse- No figure 8 nosebands! flash is not acepted but is only aproved in dressage. Yes snaffles are allowed... i think! lol um tack color doesn't matter.

I hope that answered most of your questions!