How To Compete in Hunter Hack

Hunter Hack is a class that is designed to test your skills on the flats and over jumps. It also tests your horse's ability to listen to your cues.

The beginning of any Hunter Hack class is similar to a regular Equitation class. You will enter and find a position on the rail. Keep your horse moving forward at the walk with a nice frame. Make a clean transition from walk to trot when requested by the judge. Make sure to check your diagonal. When asked, transition smoothly down to the walk. When the judge asks, make a smooth transition into the canter. Be sure to check your lead. Do not let your horse get lazy during these canters, as you will need him to have an active canter for the jumping later on in the class. Make a quiet transition down to the walk and reverse.

You will be put through all three gaits again going in the opposite direction. It is possible that the judge will also ask for some sitting trot, but this depends on the judge. If it is asked for, collect your horse, sit deep, and keep your heels down and your hands quiet.

Once the flat work is completed, the judge will ask the class to line up facing a line of jumps.  There are usually two jump efforts. One at a time the judge will ask the competitors to take the jumps. When your number is called, walk out of the line and around the other horses. You are going to trot into the first jump and then canter out of the line. Keep your horse deep in his corners until you are straight with the first jump. Take a half seat and keep him straight while he takes the first jump.  On landing keep a half seat as you canter down and take the second jump.

Canter out of the second jump, keeping a straight line until you reach the rail. You will continue to keep your canter until the next long side, where you will take a half seat, shorten your reins, and move into a hand gallop. At the end of the long side halt your horse squarely. Back up the prescribed amount of steps and then return to your spot in line.

While waiting for the others to finish, try and keep your horse as still as possible. Smile and have fun!