Hunter Under Saddle

Hunter Under Saddle

as defined by the American Quarter Horse Association

A preliminary class for English riding disciplines in which judges evaluate a hunter-type American Quarter Horse on the flat at a walk, trot and canter.

Emphasis is placed on smoothness of gait, free-flowing stride and willingness to perform. Exhibitors must wear traditional English attire.

Walk

In English and Western Classes, a natural, flat-footed, four-beat gait.

Trot

In English classes, a two-beat gait, comprised of long, low, ground covering, cadenced and balanced strides.

Canter

In English classes, a three-beat gait; smooth, free moving, relaxed and straight on both leads

HUNTER UNDER SADDLE

Hunters under saddle should be suitable to purpose.Hunters should move with long, low strides reaching forward with ease and smoothness, be able to lengthen stride and cover ground with relaxed, free-flowing movement, while exhibiting correct gaits that are of the proper cadence.

The quality of the movement and the consistency of the gaits is a major consideration. Horses should be obedient, have a bright expression with alert ears, and should respond willingly to the rider with light leg and hand contact.

Horses should be responsive and smooth in transition. When asked to extend the trot or hand gallop, they should move out with the same flowing motion. The poll should be level with, or slightly above, the withers to allow proper impulsion behind. The head position should be slightly in front of, or on, the vertical.

This class will be judged on performance, condition and conformation. Maximum credit shall be given to the flowing, balanced, willing horse.

Hot Diggity Joe
1998 Sorrel Stallion, 16.1H
Sire: Blazing Hot
Dam: Jodie Fivette (Congress Champion and MULTIPLE AQHA World Show Top FIVE CHAMPION PRODUCER)

Standing At GUMZ FARMS, KY

Footage from the 2008 AQHA World Show Senior Hunter Under Saddle. Hot Diggity Joe and Jennifer Leckey were 5th. Judge Stephanie Lynn placed him FIRST!

Horses are to be:
(1) shown under saddle, not to jump.
(2) shown at a walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring. Horses should back easily and stand quietly.
(3) reversed to the inside away from the rail.

Horses may be asked to change to canter from the flatfooted walk or trot, at the judges discretion.

Faults to be scored according to severity:
(1) Quick, short or vertical strides
(2) Being on the wrong lead
(3) Breaking gait
(4) Excessive speed at any gait
(5) Excessive slowness in any gait, loss of forward momentum
(6) Failure to take the appropriate gait when called for
(7) Head carried too high
(8) Head carried too low (such that poll is below the withers)
(9) Overflexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical
(10) Excessive nosing out
(11) Failure to maintain light contact with horse’s mouth
(12) Stumbling
(13) If a horse appears sullen, dull, lethargic, emaciated, drawn or overly tired
(14) Consistently showing too far off the rail

Faults which will be cause for disqualification, except in novice amateur or novice youth, which shall be faults scored according to severity:

(1) Head carried too low (such that poll is below the withers consistently)
(2) Overflexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical consistently

At the option of the judge, all or just the top 12 horses may be required to hand gallop, one or both ways of the ring. Never more than 12 horses to hand gallop at one time. At the hand gallop, the judge may ask the group to halt and stand quietly on a free rein (loosened rein).

GREEN HUNTER UNDER SADDLE

The purpose of green hunter under saddle is to allow a horse to compete on an entry-level field with horses of the same level of experience. The green hunter under saddle is a stepping-stone to the more advanced level of competition with seasoned horses.

This class should be judged according to the purpose of its intent.

1. Horses must be ridden with equipment that is approved as per AQHA equipment rules for hunter under saddle.
2. With the exception of eligibility requirements, the same rules apply in green hunter under saddle as apply in hunter under saddle.

Horses that are eligible to compete:
(1) Horses in their first year of showing in AQHA approved shows in hunter under saddle.
(2) Horses that have shown during previous years in AQHA-approved green hunter under saddle, open hunter under saddle, amateur hunter under saddle or youth hunter under saddle, but have not won more than 10 points or won more than $1,000 in these events as of January 1 of the current show year. Points from all divisions will count and are cumulative in determining eligibility.
Novice points will not count.

Green hunter under saddle will not be held as a World Show class.