In this occasional series, top riders in each sport evaluate our readers’ submissions.

The first thing I notice as a judge about this photograph, whether it is for the hunter or the equitation division, is the “plainness” of this picture. The horse has a bit of a plain head, which is not always the best starting point.
   
Certainly, if the horse moves and jumps well enough, or the rider in the equitation class has the best round of the day and demonstrates the best understanding of the course, it is easy to get by the plain head. But in either division, special effort has to be taken to dress the picture up.
   
I would do two things right off the bat that I think would make a big difference. The first thing I would do is go to either a very pretty D-ring type snaffle, or a nice full cheek. The loose ring snaffle in this context is not appropriate and detracts from the overall picture. It is almost always possible to have a functional and stylish bit.
   
The second thing I would do would be to try to always show this horse with a braided tail, in addition to the braided mane. This would also help to make a better overall impression.
   
As a hunter the thing I like best about this horse is his scope. He is obviously capable of easily jumping whatever he might come across in the show ring. But the down side of that scope is that he does not have to make much of an effort over this fence, and that shows up in his jumping style. His front end is both loose and uneven, and his back is very flat in this photo.
   
His expression is also what I would call “lackluster.” Although his ears are not back, they are certainly not forward and interested in what might be coming next. There is not really too much terribly wrong with this horse’s jump, but it’s not particularly impressive. It also looks as though his rider has gotten him a bit deep, or close to the jump, for the take-off.
   
As a rider, I think this girl is very tight and secure but lacks polish. I think her toe is turned out too much, her knee has pulled away from the saddle slightly and—for me—her seat has moved too far out of the saddle. Her release is a bit too high and too far up the neck with a very short rein. I love her eyes looking up and forward, and I get a very powerful and determined feeling from her. Like her turnout and her horses jumping style, there isn’t really too much terribly wrong, but there just isn’t yet quite enough right.

As a photo to be critiqued for the hunter or the equitation divisions, this photo does not really fit the mold. While boldness is rewarded in both of these divisions, there has to be a certain amount of control and poise balancing the boldness. I think that is what this photo lacks.
  
I have a feeling here of over-riding, over-jumping, and working over the pace. We are after something much more controlled, relaxed and beautiful. We want athleticism with beauty, effort with relaxation, and brilliance with control.
   
This horse has made a very big effort over this fence, not because he is relaxed and trying to jump well, but more, I think, because he does not really understand jumping. He is jumping too high and looks as though he has also gotten very quick off the ground. His knees, while they are even, are quite low and stiff. To me, he has a very worried look in his eyes, and I think his ears are forward more from fear of what is next, rather than enthusiasm for his job.
   
A beautiful hunter jump is created by a horse that is athletic, confident, relaxed and well trained and prepared. This horse looks like he needs to go back a step or two and understand his job more completely. Perhaps then he could relax a bit and make a prettier jump.
   
I think this horse’s nerves and jumping style have caused the rider to lose her position. She is trying very hard to keep from interfering with her horse, but because he is requiring such a light ride at this point, she has had to lose any sense of style.
   
In the end, whether you are talking about hunters or equitation, the horse must accept the rider’s hands, legs and weight. Because this horse does not comfortably accept the rider’s aids, our rider here has had to keep her lower leg off the horse completely, which has caused her to pinch with her knee and have her lower leg swing out and back. Also, her stirrup has slipped way too far back on her foot, and her seat is very far off the back of the horse.
   
All of this has been caused again by her having to stay out of her horse’s way. The line from her elbow to the bit is exemplary, and I have to say that although her style is lost, I think she is demonstrating a very good sense of feel in this photo. I think she is doing the best she can in a tricky situation.
   
I would like to see both horse and rider conform a bit more to the rules of turnout. A braided mane is correct. Also, the loop on the noseband for a flash attachment is inappropriate, as are the buckle attachments for the bit to the bridle. I also feel that there is a time and a place to let the safety stirrups go.

I like this photo. I get a great sense of good basics combined with great discipline and respect for the sport. There is a wonderful combination of attention to detail, style and workmanlike approach. I am afraid it is a sad statement on our sport today that there is almost a dated feel to this horse and rider combination. It is a nice change from all the sloppiness and exaggeration we see so much of today.
   
As a hunter, this horse strikes me as a “good guy.” He has a very solid and safe-looking jump. His use of his back and his head and his neck is very good. I like that he looks as though he is very willing to go forward on his own, and carry his rider, without looking at all rushed or quick. He looks very confident in his ability and very relaxed about his job.
   
I wish his knees were a bit higher to make a little better jump, but I think his rider has gotten him a bit close to this jump which has made it a bit more difficult for the horse to get his legs up and out of the way. His expression is
classic, and he looks as though he has a very nice mouth. This is a great example of a well-trained and well-prepared horse.
   
Our rider in this photo is also doing a very nice job. I think her release is exactly right. She has maintained light contact with her horse’s mouth through the arc of the jump, and the line from the bit to her elbow is very nice. Her eyes looking up and ahead are excellent, and the flatness of her back is great. Her seat is close to the horse’s back without interfering at all with his jump. Although her lower leg has slipped back in the air, I still get a great feeling of this rider “enveloping” her horse. I also love the placement of her foot in the iron. This rider gives me a great feeling of working to have good basics and to master classic riding and horsemanship.
   
Good turnout can be the difference between winning and being second. This horse has beautiful tack that is clean and perfectly adjusted. His coat is shiny, and his braids are perfect. The rider also has beautiful riding clothes that are spotless and well fitted. All in all this is a great effort to do things in a classic and correct way.

This horse and rider appear to need some work to get to the next level with their hunter work. They have arrived at this fence at a fairly long distance, which has caused this horse to have to really reach out in front of himself with his front legs to get over the jump.
   
Although this in itself is not a major fault, the fact that he has left his lower leg so loose is. A top hunter must jump with his knees up and his lower leg folded tightly underneath his nose, not way out in front of it. Any dangling of the front legs must be considered dangerous to some degree. In addition, this horse has what I would consider a stiff head and neck and a tight and flat back. Again, the bascule of the jump and the follow through with the hind end of the hunter is critical. The jump must be round, and the hind end must be straight and loose.
   
Our rider in this photograph appears to be at the beginning of her career. I would like for our rider to be looking forward and straight on her hunter. Since there are generally so few tight turns in hunter classes I think it’s important to land from the jump before worrying about looking to the next fence.
   
It looks to me that her stirrups might be about one hole too long. I think that if there is a question about stirrup length, too short is better for jumping than too long. I also think this rider needs to do quite a bit of work without her stirrups—both on the flat and over jumps. She appears to be loose and working “above” her horse. Her long release on the crest of the neck is appropriate for her level of riding.
   
I like to see horses braided for horse shows. If I am doing schooling classes for a particular reason I might show unbraided, but that is unusual. I also like to see a horse with both mane and tail braided. I think this horse could carry a little more weight for the hunter divisions and have a bit more shine to his coat.

Geoff Teall, of Wellington, Fla., trains in the hunter, jumper and equitation divisions—with an emphasis on amateur and junior riders—and shows in the professional hunter divisions. An R-rated USEF judge, he has presided over the Pessoa/USEF Medal Finals, USEF Pony Finals, USEF Pony Medal Finals and many prestigious horse shows such as the Washington International (D.C.) and National Horse Show. Teall also co-founded the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation and serves on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association.