Disciplines - About Hunters and Jumpers

Hunters and Jumpers are horses that are chosen specifically for their ability to jump and navigate a course of obstacles.  The style of riding for these kinds of jumping events is called "hunt seat" riding. 

What is the difference between a "hunter" and a "jumper"?

Hunters are horses that are chosen for their ability to navigate a course smoothly and with safe and correct jumping style.  Jumpers are horses that can jump around courses that are bigger and more complex.  Jumpers are scored on their ability to go "clean" (not knock down any rails) and to go fast.  This is the general difference between hunters and jumpers.  Most beginner riders start competing in the hunter divisions, because these horses are a little easier and smoother to ride. 

Hunters are scored similar to gymnasts or ice skaters.

Hunters are scored "subjectively."  This score is most often based on 100 as a perfect score.  The judge scoring the round decides how much to penalize each jumping fault, and awards more points for styles that the judge finds favorable.  Think of this kind of scoring as similar to how a gymnastics or skating competition is scored.  The judge decides what to penalize and what to reward while the round is scored.

Jumpers are scored using a system of "faults" for each rail knocked down or errors made on the course.

By contrast, jumpers are scored based on a predetermined and rigid set of rules. For each "fault" committed by horse and rider, points are tallied.  Examples of faults are knocking a rail down - 4 fault points.  Another example is refusing to take a jump  -- 3 fault points for the first refusal, 6 fault points for the second refusal and elimination for the third refusal.  In recognized competitions, faults are awarded for going around the course too slowly.  If there is a tie for first place, then there is a "jump-off" which is timed.  If there is a second jump-off round then the horse and rider with the least faults wins, and if there is still a tie at this point then the horse and rider with the fastest time wins.

The learning process for beginner riders.

Most riders who want to learn how to ride hunt seat start out taking lessons from an experienced instructor.  Some riders own the horse they ride, but not all have their own horses.  Instructors usually provide school horses for those who want to learn to ride but don't own a horse.  Instructors also provide an arena with proper footing, and jumps that can be adjusted to the proper height and that are designed with safety in mind.  The instructor will show the beginner rider how to ride - the correct position and cues (called "aids") to get the horse to the jumps.  The instructor will make sure that the horse is not "over faced" - i.e. that the jumps are not too big or too complex for the horse and rider to navigate.  Proper instruction will assure that the horse and rider stay safe and maintain their confidence. 

Advanced riders continue to learn and use experienced trainers.

Even the most advanced riders get the help of a trainer on the ground.  A good trainer provides the "eye" from the ground and gives the rider feedback regarding what he sees in order to give the rider the best chance possible to improve their own riding style, or to correct flaws in the horse's performance.