WORKING HUNTER

From a spectators viewpoint a Working Hunter competition can be visual fun!  The event is easily recognisable, as this is the ring area which has 'the washing line'; or perhaps mats on the ground, all 'everyday' type obstacles, which horse and rider must contend with.  Part of the same competition may see a Judge getting on the competing horse to 'try' its paces.  The event doesn't end there though, as there is also a jumping round.  In effect it is a competition to put a horse through the paces of everyday 'Working' situations!

The term Hunter itself, doesn't signify a particular pure bred horse, but a horse 'type'.

In our modern society it is sometimes difficult to imagine back to a time when the horse was not only a main means of transport, but also one of the major components of the British Army.

So many horses were required towards the end of the 1800's that massive numbers were imported into Great Britain at enormous cost, so much so that the Government of the day actively encouraged the British based breeding of suitable horse stocks.

A few years later the Ministry of Agriculture and the War Office gave assistance of  £150 to support 29 thoroughbred stallions being used as suitable sires for breeding Hunters.  This project was the brainchild of a group called the 'Hunter's Improvement Society', set to do exactly what its name implies, namely improving the quality of the Hunter type horse.

With the introduction of the combustion engine and the rise of the motor car, the demand for horse types changed, as horses were now being ridden for sport, leisure and competition, rather than for war, transport and haulage.  Finally in 1998 the Society adopted its current name 'Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain'.  This organisation (quote) "now grades and registers all breeds of horse with the main objective of producing a correct, sound, athletic sport horse with the potential to exceed in Show Jumping, Dressage or Eventing." 

Many of the national events with Hunter Classes are now run under S.H.B.(Gt.B.) regulations and guidelines and Hunters entering such organised classes have to be registered with the S.H.B.(Gt.B.). 

To find out more in greater detail click on the link below directly to the S.H.B.(Gt.B.) website.

With the emphasis in Working Hunter on jumping ability together with manner and style, many riders are finding themselves drawn to this class, where that extra bit of finesse is of consequence.  With the gain of popularity in equestrian sport for pleasure and leisure the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead are, in 2005, staging their first Working Hunter championship for amateur riders, to promote the Working Hunter classes. This championship will run under S.H.B. (Gt.B.) rules, for entrants who are not professional riders dependent on horses for their main source of income.

If you want to be kept updated on Working Hunter events fill out the on-line Registration Form.