My husband and I planned to do some jumping in between Training 1 and 2. Unfortunately the jumpers ring was already up at 1.00 meters after our first test, so we checked in on the hunters ring. They were just finishing up the 2’3″ class and about to start 2’6″. Perfect. I signed up for 2’6″ warm up and 2’6 hunters. My husband signed up for warm up and Eq.
In the warm up ring, we hopped over a few jumps that were set around 2′ and then I wanted to do the one bigger oxer in prep for the class. We came around, Levi tried to brake, didn’t have enough time to fully stop, awkwardly tried to hop from a standstill and clobbered the whole thing into the ground. Sadly, there were no pictures of this brilliance. We came back, knocked it down again – because we are so good at this – and I decided to take him back over the smaller jumps, get him back in the game, and then return to the big oxer. We finally got over it with a massive overjump and I called that good.
Back in hunterland, I checked in at the gate where they were still not done with 2’3″ even thought it had been almost 30 minutes since we asked and were told it was almost done. I asked if they were going to drag between divisions and explained I had another dressage test to get to. No one else had put themselves in for order of go so I was told I could go first and there would be no drag, just raising the fences. Great.
Except this is hunterland and everything takes a million years and time means nothing. The jumps were eventually raised, but then we were informed we had to wait for the judge to get back because warm up is a judged class. One of the girls from our barn had come out to watch for a bit and asked why warm up was judged and I was like, I have no clue. I honestly don’t understand how hunters works. I’m not bashing hunters. If you like hunters, have fun. Everyone should do whatever makes them happy. I just don’t understand it.
While we were waiting for the judge I was complaining that the jumps were still really low and no where near 2’6″. My husband, who hadn’t been paying attention said they hadn’t raised them yet. Umm no. They already did. At this point most of the jumps were 2’ish with the biggest one being maybe 2’3″. I get that it’s a schooling show, but how does jumping things that are only 2′ prepare you for jumping 2’6″ at an actual show? If we’d had time, I probably would have switched to 2’9″ or 3′ and hoped for 2’6″ jumps.
The judge finally returned and the gate girl proceeded to call 3 other people to go before me. Because telling me I could go first apparently meant 4th. Eventually, I got called to do my first round. We went in to go to the first jump and Levi said nope.
Much beating later, we circled around and awkwardly hurled ourselves over it.
No picture of #2, but I think it was fine. #3 was the biggest jump on the course and it’s definitely not 2’6″:
Levi was still trying to refuse at #4, but I pushed him forward and we got over it, albeit awkwardly.
Honestly, “awkward” is the defining word for this entire round. But that’s why we were there: because we need practice over new and different jumps especially in new and different places.
We somehow managed to get 3rd out of 6 for this warm up. One girl fell off so I know how I was ahead of her, but I’m still not sure how I got 3rd. I’m actually pretty confused because my husband got 4th and they only had 1 rail. I thought a refusal would be worse than a rail. But again, I don’t know how hunters works. Didn’t matter though. We were just there for the exposure. Ribbons are a just a (enjoyable and appreciated) side effect.
When I left the ring from my warm up round, I told the gate girl I needed to go do my dressage test and I’d be back. She tried to give me attitude about how they were going to end the class in 20 minutes and I needed to make sure I was back. I wanted to say a lot of things. Like how I asked to go first and signed up before everyone else and told you I had a dressage test a long time ago. Or how I know that this show never closes a class before everyone who is signed up gets to go regardless of how late or missing or obnoxious to everyone else they’re being. I have listened to announcements go over the loud speaker for 30 minutes looking for missing entrants. But I didn’t say those things. I just politely said I’d be back and went and did dressage.
Back in hunterland for our second round. Levi was a little looky, but much less sticky to the jumps. I really wish we had an actual camera with us and not just a cell phone, because how cute is he over the first fence?
Those knees though
We didn’t hit a great stride into the first jump of the first line which carried through to the second jump, but at least my hands are down.
He has recently decided he’d like to chip in really close to the jumps. I suppose it’s better than his previous habit of stopping at every jump first, but it’s not really ideal. I’m not worried about it though. He’s a baby horse with an ammy rider. Awkwardness is to be expected. He just needs practice.
Even when it’s awkward he tries so hard to be good and do the right thing. He got lots of pats and praise and we somehow got 5th out of 6 for that class. Again, the ribbons were irrelevant (though I do like collecting them). I really just wanted some arena time to practice. He’s getting so much more relaxed at shows, which is the whole point.
pats for a good boy
I didn’t see my husband’s 2’6″ rounds because he did them while I was down at the dressage warm up. Our barnmate got a few shots though.
He ended up getting 4th in the warm up and 6th in Eq. I think he had a rail in eq, which is unfortunate because judges tend to like him in Eq classes. Oh well. Eugene’s a good boy even if he’s not going to win in the hunters anytime soon.
Don’t forget to enter the Total Saddle Fit Shoulder Relief Girth Giveaway.
I wish I had your energy level. What a day for you both. I don’t understand hunters either even though I showed over 20 years ago. But I do not understand why/how a warm up round is judged?
I didn’t know you did hunters for 20 years. I think the judged warm up might be a new thing?
Aw such good ponies !! Looks like so much fun! I’m itching to take Charlie to an hj show!!
It’s certainly good practice.
I was laughing at everything taking forever in Hunterland. It’s so true! At least they gave you a warm up ring with fences in it! I went to the National Standardbred Show with Gunner a few weeks ago and they didn’t have a single fence set up in any of the warm up rings AT ALL. The horses went from flatting to jumping 2’6″ without ANY warm up. It was insane.
I don’t understand that either. I think with that you’d have to plan your first class as a throwaway. Or maybe actually be good at jumping. But that’s not me.
yeah thats why I skipped out of h/j. I have no idea what ’87th in the class’ means out of 100+ people. Like, what time does that mean I should show up? In 5 hours? 3?
my first event I got ride times I wa slike WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE.
OMG yes, once you go ride times you never go back.
You deserve a medal for going in hunter classes. I just don’t get it.
Me either. But we need the practice.
Hah, hunterland is a confusing place. All of our warm-ups are judged, and I think of it this way: it has a course, and the rules still apply (you only get so many refusals, have to jump the correct jumps in order the correct way, etc.) so you still need someone to make sure all of that is taking place (which is the judge’s job)!
This is good to know. But why not just call it a class of it’s own instead of warm up if it’s judged?
The warmup class is judged and has it’s own ribbons, but it doesn’t count towards the high point for the division.
That did seem to be how this show was doing it.
Hunters can be confusing. Many places do things differently too. Most of the shows around me do a judged warm up these days (kind of new, they used to just open up the ring and three at a time could jump around, not judged). But they don’t actually pin it like normal. They call them blue/red classes. If you have a great trip you get a blue ribbon. If you don’t, you get a red. Usually the ribbons are smaller and less fancy than real ribbons. Kind of silly if you ask me (the whole concept), but it’s always nice to get satin I suppose.
Once Levi gets this showing stuff figured out, he’s really going to be a fancy guy. He wants to jump so well!
Also, you’re right, a rail really should place higher than a stop.
And my last thought: that in gate girl should get a talking to.
Thanks for sharing. I think the fact that every hunter show we go to is different probably adds to my confusion.
You guys have the best outings. That gate girl should have been fired. Why be rude??
Pretty sure she’s a volunteer and I imagine she’s just sick of it.
Wth with the weird gate girl?? Some people are so rude. Glad it was a successful outing with the ponies! Levi has springs 😀
Yeah I dunno what’s up with her. She’s probably sick and tired of dealing with people.
I’m glad you had a good time with Levi – sounds just like the exposure he needed!!
It was great exposure for him.
Coming from the TWH world, I know close to nothing at all about hunters, but I just found your site and have been enjoying reading through your entries with all your great pictures!
Thanks for following. I’ll have to check out your blog too.
Lol ive tried to leave work amd photograph for friemds and either missed them because classes were small or ended up waiting hours and hours with no sleep because the classes were large, people needdd time to switch tack to another horse, dawdled on their way to the gate etc. I do love the pace of hunter, to me, its encouraging you to be calm and steady. I think id be prone to over rushing in jumpers. The judging is too subjective, especially at schooling shows. At least at bigger shows, i know ill have to work harder as my mare wasnt crazy fancy/ WB at placing.
The pace of the class itself is fine to me, slow and steady over jumps is a good thing. The pace of hunter shows is what drives me crazy. I just want organized times.
Way to go on how well you did! You did it, that’s what matters in my opinion. I think that is why I shy away from “real” horse shows. I want to compete, but how you were treated, and things not running on time would drive me crazy! Maybe I will go to a local show or 2 next year, smaller, to get my feet wet before progressing. And from your description of a hunter show….I think I will stay away.
Your pictures are so great though, and you will have those to remember the event forever, that is the best part!
This was a schooling show, but it’s a bigger one and the organization is very lacking. I have been to hunter shows that I like (for schooling). Some are run much better and are actually enjoyable. But I’m not a hunter at heart.
The hunters at this show sound like Whose Line is it Anyway where the rules are made up and the points don’t matter lol
This! This is everything. I’m stealing it for my next hunter show post.