From the moment you step into the hunter ring for an under-saddle class, you want to show yourself and your horse in the best light possible. A key to that is making sure the judge sees your horse as often as possible as you ride around the arena. In addition, after the judge notices you in the class, your horse needs to be working at his best. According to the U.S. Equestrian Rule Book’s Hunter Division section, that means “horses should be obedient, alert, responsive and move freely.”
There are a lot of skills you can practice to increase your chances of impressing the judge. In this article, I’ll show you how to approach hunter under-saddle classes and share some common mistakes that I see when I’m judging.
1. Adjust Your Number
As the announcer calls the under-saddle class to order, pull the competition number on your back a little to the outside toward your hip. This way, the judge, who often judges from outside the arena, can read it. (If the judge is in the center of the arena, pull the number to the inside.) Be careful not to pull it so far over that your arm covers it. And if you’re a kid with pigtails, please don’t let those cover your number.
When you reverse direction, slide the number toward your other hip. I judge a lot, and it makes a huge difference if I’m not searching
