Showcircuit Magazine, Oct 2015, LF Taylor
NZ Show Hunter… Across the Board
On the road
Lucky me, I get to spread the gospel about what I consider to be the foundation discipline for many keen riders of all levels, over many disciplines… showhunter. Getting out and about around NZ (and further abroad overseas) training riders and mounts of all ages and backgrounds… I hear it time again in every district "wow I didn't know showhunter involved so much skill and precision; but once you get it 'ya got it.' " Showhunter works as an excellent schooling base for really anything else you want to do. Got a green Thoroughbred off the track – give the Intro classes a try. Got a bored dressage horse – give the Low Hunter classes a whirl. Got a horse that is constantly taking rails at 1.30m because it won't travel straight – come and do some 1.15 classes in the hunter ring over well built, filled jumps with the main focus being perfect striding, straight lines and good corners. You would be amazed at how quickly it sorts a pole tapper….relaxing and strengthening that topline rounds up the bascule and enables the horse to willingly lift his wither and open his shoulder, use his back and engage behind. Got a rider who has had a bad fall and lacks confidence – the old adage of 10,000 hours creates a champion is so true. Showhunter is based on an "ideal" round, so if you train to ride well over 8 to 10 jumps and can nail it consistently – there is no reason why you cannot compete with better confidence in a performance situation.
Being on the road at a lot of shows too, also enables me to hear what riders and supporters are wanting from the sport (showhunter).People are not backwards in fronting up to me with comments about such and such judge "not liking them" or "X Venue not looking after their grounds and they would never jump there again as the crap footing caused a stifle injury" or "it was so confusing riding with no back numbers that the judge missed a whole round" or "the course was too complicated" or "is this bit allowed (another imported bit with some fancy angle on it)"….and the list goes on. Firstly I am privileged and respectful that people feel comfortable enough to come and comment to me. Secondly I am an action person, if I don't know the answer (if it is a question), I will find out. As far as opinions about the judging – there is always an option of approaching the show official and arranging to talk with the judge after the competition. There is protocol to follow when talking to a judge (read the ESNZ Rules), and it often clears up what is usually a misunderstanding or lack of education regarding judging symbols etc. Many riders do not even look at the judges' cards (it is optional for the shows to put them out). Regarding course design, there are clear rules about what is allowed– if you feel the course is not correct – speak to the show official. One thing I will say is that a ground line does not have to mean a ground pole. It can be a tidy line of pine boughs or a border of flowers etc.Read your rules, people. You also have opportunities to get involved with your local showhunter groups – they will welcome you with open arms!
Thumbs Up
The inclusion of more undersaddle showhunter classes is a great avenue for subliminally teaching ring craft and honing other desirable skills (smooth transitions, positioning in the ring etc). These are not A & P Showing flat classes. There are no individual work outs. The judge wants an athletic mount that moves well, carries itself, and goes forward in a balanced manner. Remember martingales aren't allowed in showhunter undersaddle classes.
Another newby, that is on the second year of making the hunter shows' rounds (scuse the pun), is the Handy Hunter class. Back in the day, David Wilson, Allan Goodall, Grant Nickalls, Sally Dyer and myself used to run them. We are talking late eighties. Handy Hunter classes have now been added to the ESNZ showhunter recognised classes and are included at HOY 2016. The courses typically give the rider options for tighter turns, and may include a trot fence. The judge is primarily looking for a mount that jumps in excellent form, but also exhibits extraordinary, well-schooled handiness.
Growth
I am still pushing hard for Short Stirrup divisions (for true beginner riders on ponies) and Long Stirrup divisions (for true beginner riders on horses) to be recognized classes; as I think we still have too many good riders competing against true beginners. Presently, open class competition is somewhat improved with the introduction of low hunter and other unrecognized classes being held in training rings at some shows; however I also believe the Short and Long Stirrup divisions would net a larger, true following if there were classes at HOY on the horizon, and recognition of effort in the form of a proper series.
Last viewpoint (for today at least), is that I hold fast to the belief that ponies should be qualifying for HOY in their genuine categories – ie collecting HOY points earned only in their category. This aligns with my comments above regarding Short and Long Stirrup divisions. Eg: some riders have ponies that are measured Cat C but the riders cannot jump Cat C heights; so they qualify their ponies jumping Cat A rounds… then front up at HOY and have to jump 90cm and choke … well, hello! It would make sense to even out the competition and grow the sport. There will be no more work for the already overworked show committees around the country – the competition will even out; making it more fair, more trustworthy, more robust, more fun, and will therefore grow better riders on safer mounts, jumping better and staying in the equestrian sporting world longer!
On the road
Lucky me, I get to spread the gospel about what I consider to be the foundation discipline for many keen riders of all levels, over many disciplines… showhunter. Getting out and about around NZ (and further abroad overseas) training riders and mounts of all ages and backgrounds… I hear it time again in every district "wow I didn't know showhunter involved so much skill and precision; but once you get it 'ya got it.' " Showhunter works as an excellent schooling base for really anything else you want to do. Got a green Thoroughbred off the track – give the Intro classes a try. Got a bored dressage horse – give the Low Hunter classes a whirl. Got a horse that is constantly taking rails at 1.30m because it won't travel straight – come and do some 1.15 classes in the hunter ring over well built, filled jumps with the main focus being perfect striding, straight lines and good corners. You would be amazed at how quickly it sorts a pole tapper….relaxing and strengthening that topline rounds up the bascule and enables the horse to willingly lift his wither and open his shoulder, use his back and engage behind. Got a rider who has had a bad fall and lacks confidence – the old adage of 10,000 hours creates a champion is so true. Showhunter is based on an "ideal" round, so if you train to ride well over 8 to 10 jumps and can nail it consistently – there is no reason why you cannot compete with better confidence in a performance situation.
Being on the road at a lot of shows too, also enables me to hear what riders and supporters are wanting from the sport (showhunter).People are not backwards in fronting up to me with comments about such and such judge "not liking them" or "X Venue not looking after their grounds and they would never jump there again as the crap footing caused a stifle injury" or "it was so confusing riding with no back numbers that the judge missed a whole round" or "the course was too complicated" or "is this bit allowed (another imported bit with some fancy angle on it)"….and the list goes on. Firstly I am privileged and respectful that people feel comfortable enough to come and comment to me. Secondly I am an action person, if I don't know the answer (if it is a question), I will find out. As far as opinions about the judging – there is always an option of approaching the show official and arranging to talk with the judge after the competition. There is protocol to follow when talking to a judge (read the ESNZ Rules), and it often clears up what is usually a misunderstanding or lack of education regarding judging symbols etc. Many riders do not even look at the judges' cards (it is optional for the shows to put them out). Regarding course design, there are clear rules about what is allowed– if you feel the course is not correct – speak to the show official. One thing I will say is that a ground line does not have to mean a ground pole. It can be a tidy line of pine boughs or a border of flowers etc.Read your rules, people. You also have opportunities to get involved with your local showhunter groups – they will welcome you with open arms!
Thumbs Up
The inclusion of more undersaddle showhunter classes is a great avenue for subliminally teaching ring craft and honing other desirable skills (smooth transitions, positioning in the ring etc). These are not A & P Showing flat classes. There are no individual work outs. The judge wants an athletic mount that moves well, carries itself, and goes forward in a balanced manner. Remember martingales aren't allowed in showhunter undersaddle classes.
Another newby, that is on the second year of making the hunter shows' rounds (scuse the pun), is the Handy Hunter class. Back in the day, David Wilson, Allan Goodall, Grant Nickalls, Sally Dyer and myself used to run them. We are talking late eighties. Handy Hunter classes have now been added to the ESNZ showhunter recognised classes and are included at HOY 2016. The courses typically give the rider options for tighter turns, and may include a trot fence. The judge is primarily looking for a mount that jumps in excellent form, but also exhibits extraordinary, well-schooled handiness.
Growth
I am still pushing hard for Short Stirrup divisions (for true beginner riders on ponies) and Long Stirrup divisions (for true beginner riders on horses) to be recognized classes; as I think we still have too many good riders competing against true beginners. Presently, open class competition is somewhat improved with the introduction of low hunter and other unrecognized classes being held in training rings at some shows; however I also believe the Short and Long Stirrup divisions would net a larger, true following if there were classes at HOY on the horizon, and recognition of effort in the form of a proper series.
Last viewpoint (for today at least), is that I hold fast to the belief that ponies should be qualifying for HOY in their genuine categories – ie collecting HOY points earned only in their category. This aligns with my comments above regarding Short and Long Stirrup divisions. Eg: some riders have ponies that are measured Cat C but the riders cannot jump Cat C heights; so they qualify their ponies jumping Cat A rounds… then front up at HOY and have to jump 90cm and choke … well, hello! It would make sense to even out the competition and grow the sport. There will be no more work for the already overworked show committees around the country – the competition will even out; making it more fair, more trustworthy, more robust, more fun, and will therefore grow better riders on safer mounts, jumping better and staying in the equestrian sporting world longer!