English Horses Need Lovin' Too!

There's a common misconception for hunter horses. That misconception is that you can throw an english saddle on his back, a browband bridle on his face and go show. But there is a lot more to finding tack for the show pen than just whatever you can find in the tack room of the barn. Believe it or not, there are styles and trends that go along with showing the hunters in the AQHA/APHA world.

Let's get it started with the bit:

English bits for the flat are pretty simple. While it's important that you use a bit that works for both you and your horse, majority of horses going into the pen are sporting D-Ring snaffles or Kimberwickes. Full cheek snaffles aren't used in flat classes very often. They give the horse a funny profile, a lot of extra silver around his face. Plus, the full cheek won't let the rein have the kind of slight, tiny, minimal little itty bitty drape that a lot of horses are traveling on these days. (This does NOT mean throwing away reins like you're on a western horse, it means not attempting to pull your horse into a frame and ripping off his lower jaw.) Some horses go in Kimberwickes. Kimberwickes are not a snaffle bit. They are curbs. They have leverage. Generally, you won't see just a ton of Kimberwickes in the flat hunter classes. No reason other than a lot of horses don't need them and the simple D-Ring looks so much nicer. O-Ring snaffles should not be used in English classes -- they are western bits.

The Bridle:

The bridle has to be a browband bridle with a noseband or cavesson. Flash nosebands are not permitted on the flat. The bridle should be well fitted, clean, and the leather color should match your saddle as much as possible. This is the type of bridle you need:

The Saddle:

Number one with the saddle, it has to fit both the horse and rider. Once you've got that in mind, think about what is hot to trot: lighter colored saddles with the same color leather over the padded flap. Padded flaps and knee blocks are not necessary for a rider with a strong, secure leg, but for a beginner rider or a looser legged individual, the knee blocks and padded flaps are very helpful for the rider to balance off of while posting. Flaps with the hideous light colored suede are very much out of style. Clean your saddle after each ride to prevent the build up of "jockeys" -- those annoying black or dark brown "film" that builds up from the stirrup leather. Also, keep your saddle covered when not in use. Remember that there are different types of seats for english saddles - all purpose or close contact are the most common used for flat classes. Jumping saddles give the rider a more forward seat and for a beginner rider, it is not a good choice. Synthetic saddles are not allowed in AQHA/APHA shows. In fact, a lot of shows are not allowing them anymore. They just look tacky, people.

The Saddle Pad:

Square quilted pads are fine for riding at home, but they are not for the show pen. In fact, the only time these pads are allowed are for Open Jumping classes. Instead, invest a pad especially for the showring. Most shows are encouraging riders to use pads that have special sleeves for the numbers. It is much easier on the judge to see your number if it's on the horse's profile.

The Girth:

English girths should be leather. Neoprene, felt, or nylon string (!) girths should not be used in the pen. The girth should be long enough that it fits the horse without the need of girth extenders. Girth extenders only add bulk beneath your leg and make it harder on you to maintain the proper amount of leg contact on your horse.

Things Not To Use:

Breastplates, cruppers, crops. Really? Does your horse REALLY need a crop on the flat? Are you afraid he'll refuse going in the gate? Seriously, you shouldn't need one, or carry one.

English Riders need Lovin' Too!

Hunter events are based in tradition. Therefore, the clothing style rarely changes other than color. The "rules" concerning what to wear in a Hunter type class (be it on the flat or over fences) are absolute. In this episode, we'll tell you what's acceptable and what's in style. Short and sweet, baby.

Helmets:
Helmets are required for any hunter type class. For fence classes, a chin strap is required and they should be SEI certified. For rail/flat classes, riders use what is known as a Hunt Cap. These caps are generally not approved, and they do not have a chin strap. The hunt cap gives a cleaner and neater appearance. They are also fairly inexpensive. Helmets for flat classes should be velvet. The plastic troxels are not appreciated because they look tacky. If you can't get a velvet cap, get a velvet or black cover for your plastic cap. Don't ever ride out to show in a white plastic helmet. Hunt caps should be black, navy, or gray only. Typically they are black.

Ratcatchers:
Ratcatchers are the shirts used for hunters. Most have a detachable collar that is put on to have a stand up appearance. It should connect (usually velcro) at the back of your neck. The front part is "solid" and you should use a pin with it to complete the look. The color of your shirt is really up to you. Popular colors include pink, blue, yellow, and purple. These are usually pastel-y colors. Outrageous lime green is not acceptable. Some shirts have small patterns (like checks or pinstripes) and these are perfectly fine and currently in style. Ratcatchers come in all sleeve lengths from no sleeves to long. As long as you have a hunt coat on, you can wear a shirt without sleeves, especially during those hot summer shows. Keep your color simple and make sure it goes well with your hunt coat.

Hunt Coats:
Hunt coats and the blazer you bought at JC Penny's are two different things. They are cut differently and you shouldn't ever go out showing in a blazer. Hunt coats should be black, blue, brown, or gray. Red or Burgundy are never acceptable in AQHA/APHA/NSBA/ApHC shows. So, don't try. Also, those hideous velvet collars of the 80s are gone. They aren't coming back either. Your hunt coat should be fairly fitted. Make sure the sleeves are long enough so that when you bend your elbow, it doesn't look like you are wearing a 3/4 sleeve jacket.

Breeches:
Breeches come in a lot of crazy colors. Unfortunately for those of you who love the bright pink breeches, they aren't acceptable. Colors for hunter classes are tan, olive, grey. Some people still insist on wearing those ugly rust colored breeches, but those went out with the velvet collars. The only color I would ever recommend wearing in any AQHA/APHA/ApHC show is tan. Some people call tan different things like "buff" or whatever, but the idea is that it's a sandy tan color. Grey and Olive are fine for weekend shows, but I wouldn't advise wearing them any where else. Breeches should be fairly tight. I know, you want to hide the thighs and bum (I do too!) but if you're breeches are baggy and loose it looks messy, messy, messy!

Boots:
To compete at the higher level, boots need to be black, leather, field type boots. Rubber boots (not the kind you'd use during a rainstorm....they make rubber "lookalike" boots) are only okay at an open show. The trained eye can spot a pair of rubber boots across the pen with a glare from the sun. While you could use brown boots, I don't think I ever have seen anyone do it. Black is the rage! Make sure your boots are tall enough that the tops hit right below your knee. Also, ride in them when practicing and not just when showing because you'll ride differently in them than you would half chaps or cowboy boots. In regards to half chaps and boots: this is only acceptable at open shows. You should only wear your half chaps with paddock boots if you are showing in them because with cowboy boots it looks weird. You'll look like you have clown feet. Trust me.

Spurs:
You know that thing on the back of your boot? It's called a spur rest. Your spur sits on top of it. Spurs for english are not like spurs for western. they sit up high versus the western spur on the heel. Also, the end should be blunt and short. Long spurs are not acceptable and some judges will throw you out because of it.

Earrings:
Earrings for hunter riders need to be minimal. Small studs, no dangles. Much more than that and you are toeing the tradition line. Think about foxhunting...that big hoop that could double as a bracelet getting ripped out on a tree branch......YEEEEOOOOOW!

Hair:
Hair goes up! Either in a net or pinned under your cap. Your hair shouldn't ever be in a long ponytail and definitely should never be loose with the exception of it being short enough that it can be left down without falling past the nape of your neck. If you have super thick hair, put the top half in a ponytail on the top of your head so it will be underneath your cap and put the lower part in a net. You'll look crazy when you don't have your cap on, but it will look fine once you get that cap on.

That about covers the wardrobe for the english rider. Happy showing!