Does being a hunter truly limit me?

Question

I read a letter to the editor of Practical Horseman in this month's issue that was apparently criticizing an article from a previous month (which I did not read).
Because I didn't read the article, I can't be certain what it said, but the letter was to the effect that in order for students to become better equestrians, the focus for the future should be on Jumpers - not within the realm of the Hunter world. That essentially - a Hunter's job is to sit up there while their horse runs the (typical) outside/inside course and this should only be a division for inexperienced or young (children) riders.
Do you agree with this? Does my preference for the Hunters limit me? I've done the jumpers with my previous horse (he was crap in the Hunters) - but I really disliked it.
I sometimes think some people resort to the Jumpers because their horses aren't cut out for it, or their equitation isn't up to par.
So - should the Hunters be left behind after a certain experience level is reached?

Let me just expound this by saying - some people clearly have a confused look on their faces when I specify Hunter vs Jumper - since most people lump them together as just H/J.
Hunters - to me, is more based on equitation, presence, the way the horse looks, consistency, etc.
Whereas Jumpers is what most people are used to - there's no real concern for the rider's equitation or how the horse looks, you just get over everything faster than everyone else. Before you bash me by saying equitation is important - yes - at the olympic level (or maybe even 3 foot) equitation plays a role. But trust me.. at local, even C level shows, there is a clear LACK of equitation in most of the riders who show in the Jumpers.

To the last person - that's exactly why I tried to clarify. In the US (or at least in Florida) there's a different between "Hunters" and "Field Hunters" (Which we actually distinguish by calling Fox Hunters as a whole).
I don't have aspirations (at 26) or really think at this point in my life I could really aspire to do anything higher than USEF or local/AA/A rated shows. Or at least I don't desire to. I guess the writer was just lumping everyone into the same category. I agree that people with foul equitation shouldn't be riding at all without at least SOME guidance but unfortunately that's not the case at most local or relatively low rated shows.

Answer 1

That is an interesting question. I think that people are often limited by single-minded pursuit of one discipline. I ride at very, very competitive hunter barn, but my "training" background is in dressage. I will say that everyone I've become friends with out there does only hunters, a couple do jumpers but no horse can do both. Of course I'm odd man out. I think that I've been able to learn a lot from both camps but its been interesting to hear from them what I've taught by inadvertently chatting about what I do with mine.

I find that the hunter/jumper world takes whatever the horse is born with and limits the horse to just that... What I mean is say a horse is fast and forward - automatic jumper? I think people don't say to themselves, if I invested the time, worked on collection, rounded out the horse, balanced it, then it could be a fabulous hunter. And conversely, when a horse is a champ A level hunter who starts to "go flat" and become heavy, its like they throw in the towel. I'm working with a friend to get her horse to round itself, balance again. In all that hunter work (jump after jump and go round after go round), its become lazy, lost its fitness and has become very heavy on the fore. Just because she can still jump big and has the ability to be fast does that make her a only a jumper now??

In the end I think supreme equitation comes from trying multiple disciplines. That goes for your horse as well. A hundred years ago a horse had to do everything. It had to show good dressage form, be comfortable, collected etc to bring you to and from town. Then on the weekends it had to play polo or go hunting... specialization is a symptom of the modern horse world and I don't think any one area of "specialty" is supreme to another. In the end its a preference, not a hierarchy.

Answer 2

I am a trainer and I strongly feel that hunter and equitation provides a very strong foundation for young riders. It is essential that you have an understanding of rhythm, balance, consistency and distances before attempting to do the jumpers. I understand that local jumper circuits have some yee-haw type riders and do not think it can be used as a comparison or be seen as a step-up from the hunters when ridden that way. If you aspire to show at the top levels like FEI or any form of international competition, you will not be able to show hunters as it is most prevelant in the US and is not recognized by FEI. Once you have become a successful hunter rider (that doesn't mean winning all the time because, as I'm sure you know, the hunters is very subjective and requires a talented and usually expensive horse) but can confidently and competantly ride hunter courses in a balanced and controled manner without any major mistakes, you are ready to try something more challenging. Jumpers is not all about go go go. Each type of obstacle asks a different question and requires the rider to make constant adjustments while on course. You will encounter water, spreads and possibly natural jumps if you ever ride in a derby. As a trainer, I start all students in equitation and when I am satisfied that they can apply what they have learned there, I transition them to the jumpers if they want to compete at higher levels later on. If you are only going to show locally or for USEF points, the hunters won't limit you at all. The answer to your question really depends on where your aspirations lie. Jumpers should never be a lsat resort for bad equitation though. Equitation is not how you sit on a horse, it's how you ride the horse and if you can't ride well, you have no business in the jumper ring or any other for that matter without getting some professional help.

Answer 3

No, I do not think that riding Hunter limits you in anyway. Working Hunter is 4'+ and has actual courses to memorize (not the typical inside, outside), and like you mentioned, there's Field Hunter too. Plus, do you think and inexperienced or child rider is going to get there numbers? Or know when to ask for the flying lead change because you "felt" it, and the horse did not do it automaticly? How about asking for the reminder bend when needed? -just to name a few.
If it is something you enjoy, then be happy doing it and don't worry about some article by a person you have never met and more than likely will never meet.
Hauling butt -balls to the wall around an arena isn't for everyone.
Though the best Jumpers should be able to do it quietly and controlled also! (or they have not been trained properly)
Yes!!! I agree with you totally. Hunter and Jumpers are no where near the same thing, and because people say H/J, the unexperienced asume they are.
I have always believed whether you ride Hunter or Jumper your EQ should be "polished". The basics of good EQ is a good foundation for "proper" riding, with out a solid seat, your gonna eat it.
It does seem like a lot of people that have poor EQ end up in the Jumpers (where they have no business) only because it is not judged there. It doesn't make it right though.
You can always tell in an AM Jumper class or even a Grand Prix, who has a good EQ foundation and who doesn't. A majority of the time if you watch them long enough, who succeeds?
So, chin up!
Happy jumping!

Answer 4

no being a hunter doesn't limit you and you can always move up in the hunters to the 3'6 or 4 foot divisions which is very competivite... most adult amatures around here also do the eq and even jumpers for warm ups... i can't see how hunter could be limited to children and the inexperienced when getting the horse to the jump so he can try his best and look pretty over it is a hard job and especially at the higher levels and at A and AA shows... it is true that most people just starting out in showing do the hunters because it helps to build the skills nessary to move up to jumpers and the courses are easy to remember (line, diagional, line, digional) the person who wrote this letter probually hasn't been to a huge A or AA show where there are 50 + entries in the big hunter divisions. the hunter divisions around here usually have more entries in the jumpers but if you have a horse that can win at hunters why put it in jumper classes where it might not be as competive? i don't agree with hunters being left after a certin experience level because you can move up and each show season there will be new horses and people to compete against.

Answer 5

I think hunters are better than jumpers in my point of view. It is all about equtation and you DO guide your horse through it. No inexpirenced rider can look good and smooth doing that. Just sitting up there pretty and have your horse do the work can be a problem with push button horses but you can kind of get that with jumpers too. Just point your horse to the fence and let him do the work and you just sit there. It can be with any kind of riding or sport. I like hunters because it does focus more on equ. and how your horse moves...something you work hard at and earn. Also it is slower paced and smoother than the jumpers.

Answer 6

I agree 100% with sunclassique, but I also believe staying in the hunters limits you.

The US and Canada are the only countries that offer "hunter" classes....the rest of the world shows jumpers, dressage, eventing, etc....

with those disciplines, you have options available to you for advancement - Pony Club, Young Riders, Pan Ams, Olympics. You get the picture.

But, the US riders are very correct, stylish riders, due to growing up in the hunter & equitation ranks.

Don't get me wrong - I love a really nice hunter. Especially the regular conformations. But it is truly a beauty pageant for equines.

Answer 7

Huh? OK maybe all that's for the show ring - but I field hunt. That means my pony has to clear fences and styles and streams etc. If that isn't jumping I don't know what is. You'd be wise to be good at both equitation (schooling) and jumping (more schooling).

AND - I"ve also worked cattle professionally. Oddly, I used the same aids, seat, support etc. to work a cutting horse as i did with my dressage mount.

Go figure.

Answer 8

I say stick with it if that's what you like, but to be a better and more well rounded rider (and have a better horse), it would be better to branch out into other disciplines, especially dressage. I don't feel there's a need to leave hunters behind after a certain point if it's what you like best.