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7 expert tips on training your show hunter to thrill and delight the ride judge

Two of Britain’s top producers explain exactly what you need to do to train your show hunter to impress the judges in one of the most prestigious class on the circuit. H&H discovers how to polish a hunter into the finished article, as part of this exclusive series for subscribers on training for different types of show horse
Alex Robinson Alex Robinson

    • For any show horse producer or competitive amateur, the hunter weight classes at any county show or major championships are regarded as one of the most prestigious sections to reign in on the circuit. Training for show hunter classes requires an all-round, mannerly performance, demonstrating comfortable, ground-covering paces and providing a great ride, not just for the producer, but the judge, too.

    Hunters are required to excel in three phases – the go-round, the ride and the conformation phase. They must move effortlessly through all four paces, showcasing a ground-covering walk, a workmanlike yet expressive trot, a balanced and forward canter and an impressive yet controlled gallop.

    A hunter must perform exceptionally for both its own rider and for the ride judge. The hunter classes are often held in a main ring, too, so the horse must be able to remain well-mannered in a busy atmosphere.

    The type of ride the ride judge will favour will depend on their own preferences, however correct schooling, manners, style, balance and obedience will be important irrespective of who is assessing on the day.

    Ultimately, a hunter must be capable of performing on the hunt field for the day with its designated weight of rider, though they must also be of a certain quality in terms of conformation, essential for any type of show horse.

    A good example of a middleweight show hunter. Training for show hunter classes

    The ingredients of a top show hunter: judges will assess quality, balance, and paces, but also manners, obedience and correct schooling. Credit: Hamish Mitchell

    Hunters are divided into three weight sections; lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight.

    • A lightweight should be able to carry up to 12st 7lb, stand around 16-16.2hh and have about eight and a half inches of bone under the knee.
    • A middleweight hunter stands around 16.3hh, can carry between 12st 7lb and 14st and has around nine inches of bone.
    • A heavyweight stands around 17hh, has nine to nine and a half inches of bone and is capable of carrying more than 14st.
    • There is also a class for small hunters – hunter types under 15.2hh – and ladies’ hunters that are shown in a side-saddle.

    Check out H&H’s extensive guide on show hunter classes.

    Irrespective of whether you want to compete your show hunter at the very top at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and the Royal International (RIHS) or at your local county show, you will need to ensure your training and schooling plan is pushing you in the right direction.

    Top tips for training for show hunter classes

    If you’re struggling to make progress with your show hunter or currently feel unprepared, these tips from two leading show horse producers are sure to help you on your path to success.

    Jayne Ross is one of the show horse circuit’s most garlanded riders. She has won the supreme at HOYS and the RIHS multiple times on various weights of hunter. Her most recent star hunter is the heavyweight Twinshock Warrior, who was supreme at HOYS in 2019. She was also supreme at HOYS with the dual lightweight and ladies’ contender Time 2 Reflect.

    Robert Walker is the most prolific show hunter producer in the county. He has won the hunter of the year title at HOYS seven times, including with the legendary View Point who won it on four separate occasions. Robert has won the Royal Windsor hunter title a record number of times and he’s also landed multiple RIHS hunter titles. Robert is also joint-master of the Cheshire Hunt.

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    Alex Robinson
    Alex Robinson

    Freelance equestrian journalist
    Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
    Alex Robinson

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