Newbie to Hunter Trials...

marley123

Wondering if someone can enlighten me as to how a Hunter Trial is judged??? ( Pairs )

Ghostrider11

Easy. fastest home clear is the winner ( pairs clock stops when second pair crosses the line) 20 pen for a refusal .
no difference if its pre novice , novice or open.

marley123

Thanks:)

Ghostrider11 wrote: »

Easy. fastest home clear is the winner ( pairs clock stops when second pair crosses the line) 20 pen for a refusal .
no difference if its pre novice , novice or open.

Ah_Yeah

Ghostrider11 wrote: »

Easy. fastest home clear is the winner ( pairs clock stops when second pair crosses the line) 20 pen for a refusal .
no difference if its pre novice , novice or open.

There are optimum time hunter trials on the odd occasion too, meaning the closest team/individual to that time (either side of time) wins.

Fall, 3 refusals/run outs equals elimination but you can complete the course regardless of elimination, except in the case of a nasty fall.

Clogsworth

Whats the acceptable attire for hunter trials? I'm hoping to take my horse to a couple this year but don't want to spend a fortune so whats the minimum I have to have?

Ah_Yeah

I've never seen a dress code. Skull cap and back protector compulsory, after that it's really down to the host. I've only ever worn white jods and my long boots or short boots and chaps, and just a regular jacket on top. For pairs we matched the colour of our jacket/jersey (but that was a personal choice).

I would check with the establishment if there is a dress code, but you will need a back protector and skull cap.

Imhof Tank

Ah_Yeah wrote: »

I've never seen a dress code. Skull cap and back protector compulsory, after that it's really down to the host. I've only ever worn white jods and my long boots or short boots and chaps, and just a regular jacket on top. For pairs we matched the colour of our jacket/jersey (but that was a personal choice).

I would check with the establishment if there is a dress code, but you will need a back protector and skull cap.

No need for back protectors at Bray Harriers last Saturday.

marley123

I didn't see one person without one?

Imhof Tank wrote: »

No need for back protectors at Bray Harriers last Saturday.

Ah_Yeah

Imhof Tank wrote: »

No need for back protectors at Bray Harriers last Saturday.

marley123 wrote: »

I didn't see one person without one?

Very surprised at that. Any HT I went to it was always compulsory.

Tbh regardless of the rules I'd still strongly recommend a back protector in a HT with time targets and unknown ground.

Ghostrider11

At the Brosna Harriers yesterday in Annaharvey and back protectors were compulsory , its the first time I have seen that, but i think it was the venue imposing that rule and not the hunt.
Hunt hunter trials normally dress code is whatever you happen to have on you is fine, and for sure you dont need a scull cap, its only the riding club trials that insist on back protectors, scull hat, long sleeve shirt, medical armband, stock and all that nonsense.
( Having said that a back protector is always a good idea )

Clogsworth , if you are interested in a few trials like "huntertrials ireland" on facebook it has all the trials dates posted . better be quick only a few weeks left of the season.

convert

I've seen quite a few people at hunter trials not wearing back protectors or skull caps (one girl even wore a cap without a chin strap!).

As mentioned above, PC and RC require skull caps and back protectors to be worn. At other events, it's either down to the organisers or the venue. Normally both will say that they are mandatory, and that the riders should ensure they wear both, but there's no-one actually checking that they're worn.

It's a bit like saying that horses under 5 can't compete XC, but leaving it up to the riders to adhere to the rule (and I know for definite a lot of people will compete 3 and 4 year old horses in HTs around the country).

As regards gear:

Proper and suitable tack in good repair
Helmet and back protector
I'd recommend a rugby shirt/sweat shirt (not hoodie, but a cheap/normal one - no need to go all fancy with 'proper' equestrian tops) rather than a jacket, as not only does it look smarter, but it's much less cumbersome under the number bibs
White jodhpurs also look better
Proper riding boots/half chaps and jodhpur boots
If you're a girl - long hair tied up and preferably in a hair net - not only does it look tidier, but it also means much less hassle reading number bibs that often are hidden under long hair.

Imhof Tank

marley123 wrote: »

I didn't see one person without one?

Definitely not mandatory.

If you were at the first meeting 2 weeks ago - open winner, the open pairs winners, the novice winner - all just in tee shirts and skull caps.

emma-fly

I wouldn't worry too much about the way you look. These events are very laid back, I tend to wear my comfy jodphurs and just a long sleeve t shirt with my skull cap and riding boots. Usually just pull my hair into a pony tail like I would when hacking around at home. Only went to one hunter trial over the last few years where I had to wear a back protector but I always bring it just in case the rule is enforced as places are getting ordered to implement it for insurances purposes.

byhookorbycrook

I do think appearance is important at any outing with your horse. I hate to see people looking scruffy at any event, I think it's a matter of pride for me.

I don't mean plaits and quarter marks, but a clean horse and a tidy looking rider.

convert

I agree with you, byhookandbycrook. For me, there's nothing worse than going to any event/competition and seeing scruffy horses and riders. Like you, I do think it is a matter of pride (to use that awful phrase from the bread ad on TV!). You don't have to have your horse plaited, but they should be groomed, with no mud on their coats or straw or shavings in their tail. Your tack should be in good condition (i.e. so it won't break on your round) and it should be clean. Likewise, the rider should be smart, with proper jodhpurs as opposed to jeans or denim jodhpurs, with clean boots.

I know I've mentioned it already, but for female riders with long hair: a long pony tail or plait is not a good idea. Not only could it get potentially get caught in branches in fences, such as a keyhole fence, but, as I mentioned early, it also hides the number bib and provides a huge headache for fence stewards and scorers alike as they try to figure out 1) what number you are and 2) often fence stewards will read the number differently (e.g. an 8 becoming a 3 or vice versa) which means the scorers have to try and match up the numbers on the score sheets.

Dark Phoenix

couldnt agree more! Nothing worse than long hair hanging out in straggly strands. I have long hair but always tie it up and wear a hairnet (I think they should be compulsory for dressage and showing. Nothing worse than a beautifully dressed rider for showing or dressage and then the hair hanging out). And yes its painful to try and read number bibs with pony tails and plaits in the way

Its sad that basic good turnout has become the exception rather than the rule. It should be normal and expected to turn up with a clean horse with clean tack in good condition and with yourself in neat clean clothing.

emma-fly

I agree with looking neat but I dont think you need to go all out for a hunter trial, White jodphurs etc.

I would never leave the house without grooming the horse or having clean boots and clothes but I do think its very casual and black or denim jodphurs are perfectly acceptable.

If it was a ODE or a hunt I would expect everybody to be in full attire, plaits, white jods, showing/hunting jacket etc but for a hunter trial I think its more about becoming confident and practising your cross country more than your attire.