Is Hunt Seat necessarily over fences?

Question

I went to a show Friday and the hunt Seat classes weren't over fences. We have another show this Saturday and I'm bringing my mare with me this time and I'm worried about signing up for Hunt Seat because she's older and doesn't need to be going over any fences. They have saddle seat, so I'm signing up for that (she's a Morgan with a gorgeous mane and tail so at least she'll fit in by appearances). This is a small fun show thats raising money for the high school equestrian team. So far there are fifteen people signed up. Can anybody confirm whether or not the Hunt Seat class will include jumping or not?

Answer 1

Hunt seat equitation classes can be held on the flat or over fences. A look at the show's prize list should tell you whether or not the classes include jumping or not. A typical flat class would be marked Equitation on the Flat, or possibly even Hunter Under Saddle. A class over fences would have the height of the fences listed in the name.

Answer 2

hunt seat is a COMPLETELY different class than hunter over fences...

Answer 3

Check the show's prize list. The class specs should tell you whether or not it includes jumping. If not, call and ask the people who run the show.

Answer 4

Hunter Under Saddle is a flat class wherein the horse is judged on manners and way of going. So, no, not all hunt seat classes are over fences.

Try calling the show organizer to confirm what classes they intend to have.  

Answer 5

Nope.

Hunt Seat is just the seat, it has nothing to do with jumping. It can even be called Hunter Seat or Hunter Under Saddle, Equitation etc.

Hunter is jumping, Equitation Jumping and Hunter Jumping is jumping. Hunt Seat is not.

Good luck!! =]

Answer 6

"Hunt Seat" is a style of riding and does not necessarily mean over fences.  They have w/t/c classes on the flat (which means not over fences).

Also, you mentioned riding "Saddleseat"..which once again is a style of riding where the rider sits back further in the saddle and uses a cutback saddle.  

The differences are in the saddle and your body placement and center of balance in the saddle.  Also, the manner in which your horse travels head upright and back for saddleseat vs. down and lengthy for hunt seat.

I don't know what type of saddle you have..but I would think that in a saddleseat class you would be riding in a cutback saddle and in a hunt seat class, a forward saddle.  Not just in an english saddle in a saddleseat class because there is no jumping.

Hope this helps!!

Good Luck at the show!!