Class Specifications
This high performance hunter class presents competitors an opportunity to best showcase the talents of horse and rider over a challenging course with high performance, handy and “take your own line” options. The class combines a Hunter Classic with a Handy Hunter class in a one round format.
Judging: Each competitor receives a score with 3 components up to a maximum of 120:
1. Hunter score (out of 100) - The class is judged as a handy hunter class with a score
2. High performance bonus (up to 10 bonus points) - Two bonus points awarded for each high performance option taken on course (e.g., higher jump, natural jumps, more challenging line options), at least five options will be offered on course)
3. Handy bonus (up to 10 bonus points) – Zero to ten additional bonus points awarded at the judge’s discretion for additional handiness and high performance displayed on course, including: Efficiency of stride (e.g.; less strides, leave out strides), unique turns and approaches, inside turns, slices, athleticism and boldness (e.g., big gallop to jumps), impressionable start and finish
Jumps: Class run at two heights: 3’6” with 3’9” – 4’3” options and a 3’ section (at show manager discretion) with 3’3” options. Only horses jumping 3’6” section earn qualifying points for the finals.
The course should include at least 12 jumps and include:
1. Traditional hunter jumps
2. Natural jumps - bank, post and rail, board fence/gate, stone wall, logs, hedge, brush, pens/chute
3. Handy options - inside turns, unique approaches, combination complex (e.g., pen), broken lines, unrelated distances
Formal attire required. Open to all horses and riders. Course walk with brief riders meeting preferably with judges and course designer.
Judging: Each competitor receives a score with 3 components up to a maximum of 120:
1. Hunter score (out of 100) - The class is judged as a handy hunter class with a score
2. High performance bonus (up to 10 bonus points) - Two bonus points awarded for each high performance option taken on course (e.g., higher jump, natural jumps, more challenging line options), at least five options will be offered on course)
3. Handy bonus (up to 10 bonus points) – Zero to ten additional bonus points awarded at the judge’s discretion for additional handiness and high performance displayed on course, including: Efficiency of stride (e.g.; less strides, leave out strides), unique turns and approaches, inside turns, slices, athleticism and boldness (e.g., big gallop to jumps), impressionable start and finish
Jumps: Class run at two heights: 3’6” with 3’9” – 4’3” options and a 3’ section (at show manager discretion) with 3’3” options. Only horses jumping 3’6” section earn qualifying points for the finals.
The course should include at least 12 jumps and include:
1. Traditional hunter jumps
2. Natural jumps - bank, post and rail, board fence/gate, stone wall, logs, hedge, brush, pens/chute
3. Handy options - inside turns, unique approaches, combination complex (e.g., pen), broken lines, unrelated distances
Formal attire required. Open to all horses and riders. Course walk with brief riders meeting preferably with judges and course designer.
