Dressage Riders Going to First Hunter Show

[Wellspotted]

My friend is riding and I am going as groom/gofer. Friend's trainer has entered her in appropriate classes, but neither friend nor I really understand the divisions/classes/etc.

Would love for this to be a great fun experience and would also love to know what to expect, how to "talk the talk" and understand the divisions/judging/and what we are actually seeing and hopefully doing in the ring!

Any tips appreciated!

[klmck63]

Unlike dressage, things generally do not run on time. At all. Ever. So while you have to be ready to go on time just in case, be prepared to hurry up and wait. The later the classes are scheduled during the day the more likely it is that they will run late. Some shows will run on time but generally smaller shows and schooling shows wont.

I'm not sure what else to tell you without knowing what she is entered in... The undersaddle or U/S is the flat portion of the division. The judge will generally ask for walk, trot, canter, reverse and repeat. The most divisions will have two or three over fences classes and one flat class. The stake class (not all shows have stake classes or use the term) is the class where more prize money is offered. Equitation classes are judged on the rider and not the horse although big mistakes on the horse's part reflect poorly on the rider.

Most people will be wearing Charles Owens or GPAs, hunt coats in some variation of navy, grey, brown or black. You'll see shirts in all different colours and patterns but everything is generally very pale and pastel so that from far away they pretty much look white. You need a white shirt and dark coat for equitation. Everyone SHOULD be wearing the collar on the shirt, even though they're uncomfortable. Pants will be some variation of beige (Tailored Sportsmans are most popular). Gloves and fieldboots will be black.

All tack is generally brown. Standing martingales are popular but not necessary. Flashes and figure eights are unconventional and therefore a big no no. You'll likely see a lot of D ring bits, some pelhams and fewer full cheeks. Loose ring snaffles and egg butts are pretty uncommon at the moment. If the horse will go in a D ring and you want to 'fit in' go for it but it shouldn't affect your placings so long as your bit is conventional.

[dghunter]

Unlike dressage, things generally do not run on time. At all. Ever.

:lol::lol::lol::lol: This about sums up everything you need to do about the hunter world.

But seriously, klmck covered everything pretty well. Have fun!

[dab]

If your friend uses a martingale over fences, it needs to be removed for the flat class -- At USEF rated shows the flat class will be after the jumping -- At local shows, particularly in entry level divisions, they sometimes run the flat classes first --

If you don't have the prize list look for the schedule at the secretary's stand or posted near the ingate -- Course maps are usually posted by the ingate too -- Hunter course maps should indicate the distance between fences which will help your friend (perhaps with guidance from her trainer) make decisions about striding --

If you're friend's used to using bridle numbers at dressage shows, she may apprecite a friendly reminder to pick up a string for her number at the secretary's stand --

Some shows will have a posted order-of-go, but often the rider/trainer will just 'put their number in' at the gate when they're ready to show -- Shows may allow back-to-back trips -- They may allow groups of 2-3 riders to do all of their o/f classes before moving on to the next group --

When you get tired of waiting around and want to know how much longer it will take before your friend shows, you can guestimate how long it will be ... a rule of thumb is 2 minutes per trip --

Can't think of what else to tell you -- Do you know what division your friend will be riding in or have specific questions?

Have fun --

[Wellspotted]

Thanks for the replies! (Should I admit I don't even know what a GPA is--know it ISN'T grade-point average in this case! Charles Owens I have heard of ... I think what I'm understanding is that a helmet like a hunt cap is needed, rather than a velvet helmet cover over a schooling helmet ... ;) )

Sounds like it's gonna be an interesting, educational, fun day! I think she's going in Long Stirrup ...

:)

[JenEM]

But unlike your huntcaps in dressage, for hunter shows your helmet must be ASTM/SEI approved. Your dressage huntcap may not work for a hunter show.

[MistyPony]

And no boots or wraps on the horse's legs in hunter classes. Not even bell boots. If it's an equitation class then the horse can wear leg protection.

[Gideon]

Watch out for the crazy schooling rings.:D

[dogchushu]

If you're grooming for people who have done this before, they should be able to tell you what to do for most of the day.

However, if they're like me, their brains will cramp up right before they go in the ring, the course will look huge, and they'll go aphasic. So here are the final steps for a friend groom:

* Bring grooming supplies with you to the ring. I usually take hoof oil, a couple rags, fly spray, corn starch, stain remover, and a brush or two.
* Wipe off riders boots before she goes into the ring. Get the bottoms of the boots as well as the sides.
* Wipe any sweat off the horse, snot out of his nose, put corn starch on any white socks, give him a quick brushing and final spritz of fly spray. If he's pooped down his legs, use the stain remover and a rag.
* Make sure horse doesn't go into the ring with boots or wraps. Panicky riders about to do the Course of Doom often forget this!
* Apply hoof oil to horse's feet. My impression (could be wrong) is that you don't use hoof oil as much in dressage shows. We use it in hunters before every class. Yes, it wears off before the 2nd jump. Yes, it does seem kind of pointless. We do it anyway.

When your friend comes out of the ring, it's nice to have some water for her on a hot day.

You'll be fine. Hunters are still horses and not some alien creature. You'll figure it out! Have fun.

[dogchushu]

Thanks for the replies! (Should I admit I don't even know what a GPA is--know it ISN'T grade-point average in this case! Charles Owens I have heard of ... I think what I'm understanding is that a helmet like a hunt cap is needed, rather than a velvet helmet cover over a schooling helmet ... ;) )

Sounds like it's gonna be an interesting, educational, fun day! I think she's going in Long Stirrup ...

:)

Just saw this. GPA is a helmet brand. Most people don't show in velvet covers, but they're not outlawed or anything.

Long stirrup can vary by show. Sometimes it's teenagers, but I've seen it mostly for adults. It's typically a division for beginner horses or riders. The fences are typically 18" or 2'. You'll have 2 to 3 over fences classes followed by a hack or under saddle class (the flat class described above). Most are eq classes (judged on the rider's performance and position rather than the horse's form) but I have seen a couple that are hunter classes (judged on performance and the horse's form). Again, this all varies by show so take a look at the class/division description. Some long stirrup divisions have the under saddle portion first or have two under saddle classes. (And, yes, horses are "under saddle" in all classes. That's just what we call hack or flat classes.)

Your rider will not get ride times. Most of the time you see the class "will not start before X:00". That means little to nothing. When you check in, ask for the entries in the classes before your rider's. Then calculate 2 minutes for each horse in each jumping class plus 10 minutes for the hack/under saddle. That will give you a rough approximation, so go check with the in gate periodically to see where they are.

When the show is ready for your division, you or your rider give your number to the in gate person and tell them when you'd like to go. Some people like to go first, some prefer to go later after watching others. Most of the time you rotate in groups of three. (A group of three will do the first course, then the second, then they move on to the second group of three). But it doesn't always work like that. Just keep checking in with the in gate person.

Unless they do the under saddle class first, it will come after all the riders have completed their courses. So make sure you know how many are in your division and keep track of where they are. Do the same prep for the under saddle class as for the over fences portions in terms of grooming. Just make sure your rider doesn't go in with her martingale if the horse uses one.

[gottagrey]

The spit and polish aspect will be pretty much the same for dressage & hunters, clothes similar unless dressage coat is a frock style which is not seen in hunters (which is odd because they have Frock Hunt jackets for hunting but I digress). Your friend probably doesn't use and won't need a martingale but just in case she does for jumping - yes - off w/ it in the under saddle class. I don't believe they allow wraps for dressage except certain levels? so you're probably good there.

Often the jumping classes are done back to back - i.e. if the class is Adult Huner Over fences Classes 1 & 2 They don't run all of class 1 and then start w/ class 2 (some shows do, some ingate people do).

get there kind of early - as mentioned its a lot of hurry up and wait. Some shows are terrific about letting people know what's going on, other shows don't - in either case it's up to you/exhibitor to keep an eye on what's happening in their ring - be prepared to have to wait for a trainer who has conflicts in another ring (and be prepared to be frustrated by it...sometimes it can't be helped, sometimes it's just poor time management plain and simple)

If your friend has one of those mock ratcatchers - those are fine to show in - just no STOCK TIE. If jackets are excused because of heat then those sporty Ariat etc ratcatchers are still okay to show in and hopefully your friend will start a trend!

[Roan]

. . .I don't believe they allow wraps for dressage except certain levels? so you're probably good there. . . .

Dressage disallows wraps, boots or anything of that nature, even at most schooling shows. No martingales of any sort, ever. The only thing she may have that she'll want to change is if she has a flash or crank. Just a simple D ring would be best.

Eileen