Understanding Horse Show Terms

The horse show world has its own distinct set of terms and vocabulary that can seem like a foreign language to the uninitiated. For spectators attending the Classic this week who want to gain a better understanding of the competition, a look through this glossary of terms can be insightful.Amateur-Owner: Divisions which are restricted to non-professional adult riders who ride horses owned by themselves or members of their immediate family.Clean round: When a horse completes the prescribed jumper course within the time allowed without incurring jumping faults (assessed when a horse knocks down a rail). When more than one horse has a “clean round,” a jump-off is held to determine the winner. The horses that return for the jump-off take turns completing a different, shorter course, and whichever horse incurs the least number of faults or goes fastest wins.Combination: Two or three jumps set up so they must be taken in quick succession, separated by only one or two strides. A combination is considered to be a single obstacle. If a horse stops or runs-out at any single jump within the combination (single jumps are lettered A, B, C), the entire obstacle must be re-jumped.Equitation: Equitation classes are classes in which the rider, not the horse, is judged. The rider must demonstrate good seat and hands, and sufficient management of the horse to perform the required tests, either over fences or on the flat, in a smooth, controlled, and accurate manner.Fault: Penalty assessed in jumper classes for mistakes such as knockdowns, refusals, and exceeding the time allowed.Green: An inexperienced or young horse. A green hunter is in its first or second year of showing over obstacles 3 feet 6 inches or higher.Hunter: Unlike jumpers, horses and ponies competing in hunter divisions are judged on the style in which they negotiate obstacles as well as on their ability to do so, while the rider’s form is not judged. Horses and ponies in hunter divisions should display jumping ability, manners, style, an even pace, and quality, and originally were meant to represent the type of horse that provides a safe and pleasant ride on a fox hunt. Show hunters jump naturally-styled fences simulating obstacles which might be encountered in the hunting field.Jumpers: Jumpers are judged solely on their ability to jump obstacles.They need not be any special breed or size, nor do they need to be beautiful, well-mannered or stylish. Style doesn’t count; jumper classes are purely athletic tests of speed and strength. Jumper courses are very demanding, calling for technical accuracy on the part of the rider and absolute obedience on the part of the horse.Jumps: The general types of jumps in competition are a straight or vertical fence and a spread (wide) fence, known as an oxer. The degree of difficulty of a jump is determined by its height, width, construction, and its placement in relation to other jumps on the course. In competition a variety of fences can be used including walls, panels, gates, oxers, water jumps, combinations, banks, and ditches. An oxer is a single fence composed of two or three elements to produce a spread.Schooling: The warm-up session prior to each rider’s round in which they jump practice fences in the schooling area. At the Hampton Classic, riders cannot school in the show ring, but they are allowed to walk the course (without their mounts) with their trainers before the class begins. During those walks, they eye up the distances between fences and map out their strategy for riding the course.Tack: The equipment worn by the horse depends on the needs of the animal.The saddle and bridle are the staples. Other equipment may be added such as a martingale, which attaches to the saddle and bridle to keep the horse’s head from raising too high. Horses may also wear boots or bandages on their legs for support or protection. Certain items are not allowed in certain classes; for instance, martingales are not permitted in hunter classes.Walking the course: Riders and horses may not practice on a course prior to actual competition, but they are permitted to walk out the route, pacing off the number of strides between jumps and examining the obstacles closely. It is a course designer’s job to set up problems that will challenge the ability of exhibitors. Riders and trainers must determine what and where these are in a course and develop strategies accordingly.