Hunter vs Equitation - How to enter the horse show ring

[@karolinesarazin9694]

I have had numerous judges like it when you circle or trot to the gate at the end of a hunter round on a longish rein. Shows a relaxed and content horse. I also don't circle at the beginning of the round if it has been a long day and the judge has watched a lot of horses go. I do not want to waste his or her time.

[@LauraKellandMay]

These are really good tips. Thank you for sharing them. Yes I certainly agree that judges like when you show a relaxed, content horse with a quiet longish rein. And totally agree, if you don't need to circle at the beginning of a class... ... ... then don't. Just get to the jump efficiently.

[@Eleanor_eq161]

I post the trot because that is the "correct" thing to do in my area. I also go walk > trot > walk > canter because my horse needs to be set up at the walk to pick up the correct lead. I've forgotten my course a few times, but I just go to the jump that is most likely the next one. Surprisingly, it's always worked for me! What I struggle with the most is my position over the jumps.

[@LauraKellandMay]

I'm working on it! :)

[@margauxnodvin7478]

I’ve never forgotten a hunter or equitation course. Jumpers are a different story…😂

[@LauraKellandMay]

agreed, you have to keep your wits about you on a jumper course! And that's one reason why you get to walk them.

[@margauxnodvin7478]

I usually do a nice sitting trot when I enter and exit my equitation classes. As I recall, during my Medal classes, I immediately picked up my canter (it’s been about 6 years since I’ve competed in a Medal class, maybe 5 since I’ve shown at all. But I have a show next week! Yay!)

[@LauraKellandMay]

This is a great tip - if you hve an excellent sitting trot - or in the finals. BUT - if you are not confident at a sitting trot or bounce, it could be the kiss of death for you. 💋😘

[@margauxnodvin7478]

Definitely gone straight to the canter for a handy round! Immediately picked up a canter to head to the first jump. Afterwards I come right back down to the walk and let my horse walk out of the ring on a loose rein. I love competing in ALL three rings, but I think equitation is my favorite. I’ve done REALLY well in Eq over the years on a number of different horses; qualifies for Ariat Medal Finals on my last horse. Sadly, didn’t get to go bc my mom got sick (this starting my 5 year riding/showing hiatus). Now I’m getting back into hunters again (bc that’s the kind of horse I currently have!). I do enjoy a nice hunter course, and I REALLY love hunter derbies! Hopefully I will also get an Eq horse soon so I can start trying to qualify for things again…

[@LauraKellandMay]

Thank you for your comments. let us know how you're doing. :)

[@margauxnodvin7478]

WAY late to this video, but 99% of the hunter classes I’ve done have started near the in gate, and a courtesy circle was definitely expected (often with a dotted line rule). I ALWAYS do a rising trot during my courtesy circle before my first jump. I usually also do another circle (rising trot) at the end of my course. That depends of course on where my course ends. If it ends far away from the in gate, I don’t do a courtesy circle

[@LauraKellandMay]

Excellent and thank you. And now, because of covid, we often trot the last circle to show "soundness" rather than jogging in hand.

[@kateb7250]

I’ve seen someone give a TON of pats after a jumper course, but we could all tell why. That horse was incredible, and the rider was having a bad day. The rider had lost her stirrup multiple times, lost her course, and didn’t turn sharp enough on some of the corners and came to the jump at an angle. The horse took it all in stride and continued going, never blinking an eye at anything. Everyone was clapping louder that usual, because we all appreciated that she kept going, and that her horse was such a good boy. Such a great video! I’ve never shown hunter before, just dressage, but I think that the day before I do my first hunter show I will be binge watching you to get advice 😂

[@LauraKellandMay]

Thank you...Keep watching and join in our live program this saturday Nov 7th 9:30 Eastern when we will have a trainer talking with us live.

[@jessicandle3809]

one time, during a medal class, i jumped my first jump and then blanked. the next jump was a jump that went away from home in all my other courses but this time went towards. there were also two other lines so i had to circle and regroup. i didn’t get any points but at least i didn’t go off course!!

[@elizabethserafini9052]

I like to sit my trot in a big Eq classes especially if I haven’t seen a lot of others do it to show myself to the judge.

[@LauraKellandMay]

this is a GREAT idea particularly if you have an EXCELLENT sitting trot... however, if your sitting trot is not good... bouncing across the diagonal will show yourself to the judge (but nnot in a good way) 😉😬🐴🐴🐴🐴

[@mariahdavies4232]

Girl. I need a GPS to get thru my course.

[@LauraKellandMay]

Mariah Davies oh no! So you ride jumpers or hunters...

[@mariahdavies4232]

Laura Kelland-May hunters

[@ponyabouttown4981]

Why is it called a courtesy circle? Courtesy to whom?

[@LauraKellandMay]

Great question. It's the circle at the beginning of your Hunter or equitation round. It's a courtesy for the rider to do a circle so they can establish their canter pace before they start their round.

[@Sami-yo9fw]

I do a circle and I do siting when I’m about to pick up my canter put when I come in I do posting

[@LauraKellandMay]

Sami Stevens excellent. Sitting just before the canter is perfect!

[@LauraKellandMay]

These simple things can make or break your hunter, equitation, jumper and handy hunter round. If you have a great sitting trot then sit the trot... ... ... .. If your sitting trot sucks... Then don't do it! Get more equitation tips here kzbin.info/aero/PLKVg3x3KW2H1A50pLWeGKSEPJoebZkAz9

[@informationalequine6299]

Courses worry me, I’m so afraid I’m going to go off course. 😅

[@LauraKellandMay]

Hey there... Don't fret about your courses. Just breath and enjoy your ride. If you think about going off course you will be focused on that and your horse can feel your tension. Try this... Breath Walk a "pretend" course Watch a few riders a head of you do their course Great idea for a video. Thanks

[@informationalequine6299]

Laura Kelland-May thank you so much! That really helps

[@PalmHavenMaven]

I have been in jumpers and gone off course...the funny part is my trainer yelled the green one...but there were three green ones. My bad. Now I prep better and use visualization. It works.

[@margauxnodvin7478]

How??? Most hunter classes are a variation of outside line/inside line/outside line/inside line (or vice versa). Sometimes you have a single on the quarter line. What is there to forget? In Eq classes you have a few rollbacks; also not complicated. Lol. Not trying to be mean, just don’t understand how anyone can get lost on a hunter course…. A jumper course is another story; I’ve gotten lost PLENTY of times! But those are a LOT more complicated, and the fences aren’t necessarily set up in a way where it’s obvious you should be going (in hunter classes, when you land off a line, there’s usually only one viable place to go; the next line that is set in the correct direction for you to jump! I.e. front of fences, including flower boxes or other fillers, facing toward you. Seriously outside/inside/outside/inside (or vice versa) could NOT be easier to remember IMHO. Just look how the jumps are set in a hunter course, and follow the obvious route. 99.9% of the time, you’ll be going the correct way if you just head to the next line that’s set in your direction