Equestrian Disciplines
Hunters:
The Hunter is a type of horse used in the sport of Fox Hunting. The horse should possess manners, jumping ability, style, pace, and quality. The judges are looking for the horse that would be the most agreeable mount to “ride to hounds.”
- Working hunters are judged solely on performance.
- Conformation hunters are judged 75% on performance, 25% on conformation, (the correctness of a horse's bone structure, musculature, and its body proportions in relation to each other).
- Green hunters are typically younger horses with less than two years of show experience.
- Junior hunters are horses shown under regular hunter conditions, ridden by junior exhibitors (under 18 years of age).
- Pony hunters are judged on the same basis as junior hunters. There are three sections: one for small ponies, one for medium, and one for large.
- Amateur Owner hunters are horses under regular hunter conditions, ridden and owned by an amateur no longer eligible to ride in junior classes.
- Ladies Side Saddle was considered for centuries the only way for a lady to proceed “properly” on horseback. The under saddle class is scored 75% on performance and 25% on formal hunt appointments (accessories considered necessary in the hunt field.) The over fences and hunter hack classes are judged upon the horse’s performance, suitability, manners, jumping form, and consistency.
- Hunter Breeding is judged on conformation, quality, substance and suitability to become or, in the case of sires and dams, apparent ability to produce or beget hunters.
Equitation:
Equitation classes are judged on the rider rather than the horse. Judges are looking for style of riding, skill and accuracy, judgment in the use of the aids (hands, seat, and legs) - a general impression of complete, quiet control.
Jumpers:
The Jumper is the “athlete” of the show. His task is solely to jump, regardless of style or manner. Scoring is based on a point system for faults in jumping (knocking a rail down or a refusal) or exceeding the specified time limit.
The winner is the horse with the lowest number of faults. Time is also a factor in deciding the outcome of an event. In the case of a tie after the first round, jump-offs are sometimes held over a shortened course, and the competitors must compete against the clock.
Saddlebreds:
The Saddlebred is exhibited in several different divisions including five gaited, three gaited, fine harness, pleasure, park, and western. In addition to the walk, trot, and canter, Saddlebreds also perform two gaits unique to the breed: the slow gait and rack. The slow gait is a smooth and controlled gait with the horse's power directed to its hindquarters. The rack is a high-speed gait and is sometimes nicknamed “the single foot” as there is only one hoof on the ground at a time.
Another major division for Saddlebreds is fine harness. In this division, Saddlebreds perform the animated walk, trot, and "show your horse" gaits while pulling a four-wheeled buggy. When the "show your horse" gait is called for, the driver must alter the speed to best showcase the horse’s ability and talent.
Roadsters:
The Roadster must be a standardbred or standardbred-type horse, attractive in appearance, balanced in conformation, and have manners that make a safe performance in the ring. The principal gait for Roadsters is the trot. They are asked to trot at three different speeds; the slow jog trot, the fast road gait and then at full speeds. Judges may ask a Roadster to walk. When originally used on the roads, they were walked occasionally for a chance to rest.
Another section of this division features the Friesian, a breed of horse originating in northern Netherlands and dating from the Middle Ages. Abundant long leg hair and a very long mane and tail are characteristics of the Friesian. The color is always black, and only a white star in the forehead is permissible.
Hackney Horses and Ponies:
This breed originated in 18th century England as the British Hackney coach horse. As reflected on the Devon Horse Show’s logo, Hackneys are renowned for their brilliant and extravagant displays of high stepping action in the show ring. Pulling smart four-wheeled show wagons or immaculate in Private Drive or Concourse d'Elegance turnouts, they captivate audiences worldwide with their grace, elegant bearing and lively personality.
Coaching:
Coaching first became popular as the sport for gentlemen in 19th century England, when young ``bloods'' flaunted their skills by driving stagecoaches for pleasure and wagers. Four-in-hand driving - that is, driving four coach horses - was quickly brought to America by its gentry. Entries at Devon must be driven to a road coach or park drag:
- A road coach is a two-seat closed vehicle for public transport on a scheduled route. Generally they were heavier than private coaches and would be drawn with horses chosen for their suitability for the work rather than for color or style.
- The park drag carriage was a lighter, more elegant version of the road coach. A park drag has seats on its top.
Some coaching classes are judged on performance, manners, presentation, and appointments, while others are judged on time and faults over a course in the ring. Devon also features a coach horn competition.
Glossary Of Terms
Class – A mini-event within the horse show. Each Class is restricted to horses/riders meeting certain criteria (ponies, horses, riders in specific age groups, hunters, jumpers, equitation, etc.)
Clean Round - When a horse completes the prescribed course within the time allowed, without incurring jumping faults. When more than one horse has a “clean round” a jump-off occurs.
Conformation - The correctness of a horse's bone structure, musculature, and its body proportions in relation to each other.
Faults - Grand prix jumping is scored by faults - or penalties - accrued by horse and rider while they negotiate the course.
Jump-Off - Generally horses that are tied for other than first place will remain tied and the prize money divided equally. Horses tied for first place after the first round must jump-off in a timed jump-off round. The winner of the class is the horse with the fewest faults and the fastest time.
Knockdown - An obstacle is considered knocked down when a horse or rider, by contact, lowers any element that establishes the height of an obstacle.
Off Course - A horse is considered off course if it deviates from the course as outlined on the posted diagram.
Refusal - When a horse stops before the fence or runs out to the side of the fence to avoid negotiating the obstacle it is called a refusal.
Schooling - Practicing or training before the competition.
Spread Fence - Consists of more than one vertical element taken as one jump.
Stride - The amount of ground the horse covers in one “step” is called the horse’s stride. At the canter, the average single stride of a horse is 12 feet. The distances of the grand prix courses are set accordingly.
Time Allowed - A specified period of time to complete the course. If the time allowed is exceeded, time faults will be added to the horse’s score.
Vertical - A fence consisting of a single vertical element with no spread.
Voluntary Withdrawal - A rider makes the decision not to continue on the course and leaves the ring, usually with a nod of the head or tip of the hat to the judge. A rider may decide to withdraw because of a problem with the horse or trouble negotiating the course, or because the rider knows he or she has too many faults to place in the ribbons.
Walking the Course - Because riders and horses may not practice on a jumper course before the competition, riders are permitted to walk the course and check the fences and distances by pacing off the strides. Walking the course allows the rider to decide the proper number of strides between fences to assure a smooth ride with the fewest faults.
