Working hunters are one of the most popular showing classes. With separate sections for horses and ponies, riders are required to jump a course of rustic fences. In horse ranks, a ride judge will then officiate the performance while pony contenders are required to perform an individual show. Conformation is also assessed before the marks for each section are added together to produce the final line-up.
Horses usually compete together or in seperate lightweight and heavyweight sections. Ponies are split into respective height sections, with different classes for 13hh, 14hh, 15hh and intermediate as well as nursery and cradle stakes ponies. There are also different rider age limits for each of the pony classes.
The biggest working hunter finals for both horses and ponies take place at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) and the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). Royal Windsor also attracts some of the best working hunter contenders of the season.
In 2019, the working hunter pony Cogo Bongo was the first working hunter pony to stand supreme at HOYS.
Follow Horse & Hound to hear the latest working hunter news as well as tricks and tips on how to win in these competitive classes.
Working hunter specialist Rory Gilsenan emphasises the importance of riding to a fence in a flowing, forward fashion, without interfering with the horse, to gain top style marks
We have lots of love for these fearless combinations
The working hunter specialist was diagnosed and admitted to hospital last week
The talented nine-year-old gave the rider his first HOYS working hunter win...
Combinations were once again treated to a testing set of fences... find out which proved most troublesome
Tori is going to be having a VERY busy week at the NEC...
Get to know your 2018 Hickstead working hunter pony judge...
Meet the small ponies making big waves in the workers’ ring
The owners of a prolific working hunter pony have paid tribute to the ‘unique and irreplaceable’ gelding
Find out who is celebrating a stellar year after their working hunter victory in Birmingham
Take a look at the HOYS working hunter championship fences.
Find out which owner/rider took the prestigious title
Just nine clears, one fall and an elimination — take a look at the notoriously tough worker track negotiated at HOYS
Working hunters have been out in force over the last few months in a bid to qualify for the Royal International (RIHS) and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). Here’s a selection of those horses and riders bound for Hickstead or Birmingham in 2016
Young showing rider Lucy Eddis shares her thoughts on working hunter pony courses and why some are better than others
If you've been inspired by the Royal Windsor Horse Show, take a look at just a few of these working hunter types for sale on the Horse & Hound website this week
Horse & Hound's showing columnist raises the issue of heavy and tall riders and makes a plea to organisers to provide novice working hunter classes
From youngsters to schoolmasters, take a look at just a few of the working hunters for sale on the Horse & Hound website this week
Six qualifiers will be held at the Northern Ireland Festival next year
