Hunters vs. Jumpers

The difference between hunting and jumping, part 1 of a 3-part series
by Barb Hento

To the outsider, the world of hunters and jumpers is all the same: horses jumping big fences. The truth is, even though both types of horses jump, that is the only thing they have in common.

Hunters 101
A hunter is usual a handsome Thoroughbred type of horse with good conformation. Good movement and manners are imperative. Hunters must cover the ground in a smooth gallop, jumping each fence precisely at the same spot and in the same style as the previous fence. An even pace is a must.

The hunter’s tack and appointments, along with his rider’s, are conservative and follow fox hunting traditions. Bridles are plain and usually have a snaffle bit and standard noseband. The horse’s mane is braided, and sometimes the tail is too. This is a tradition from the hunt field where grooms braided manes and tails to protect them from brambles and burrs.

A hunt rider dresses in muted colors of black, brown, grey or green, with buff, canary or tan breeches and a black hunt cap and black boots. You might see a rider with a special collar if he or she belongs to a Hunt Club. Scarlet coats are reserved for hunt officials.

In looking at a course designed for hunters, you will notice there is a lack of bright colors. All fences are designed to represent what might be found in the hunt field and are made to look natural. The styles will be post and rails, oxers (never square), brushes, and walls. The distance between fences is set in multiples of 12 feet (or shorter if indoors or for pony competitions).

Judges look for a pretty horse that jumps evenly, smoothly, and would be comfortable to ride all day in the hunt field.

Jumpers 101
Opposite the hunter, we have the jump horse – the rock star of the horse show world. The sole purpose in this arena is to see who can go the highest and the fastest. The type of horse and its jumping style are not important; in the end, it is the numerical score that counts.

The competition arena is colorful, with brightly painted rails and fancy wings (the pieces that hold the rails up). Courses are designed to present adjustment problems to the horse and rider. Distance between fences is set at odd numbers (e.g., 21 feet instead of 24 feet) so the horse has to make stride (pace) adjustments as he travels around the course. Jumps are designed and laid out in a manner that requires the horse to speed up or slow down to make the distance. Mental hazards are also a part of the course, using variations such as a lack of ground lines, few rails, solid rails, odd colors and strangely shaped objects to throw off horse and rider.

The jumper dress code is much looser than that of the hunter ring, with the exception of the Grand Prix ring. Riders may wear long sleeve polo shirts, breeches, boots, and--of course--helmets. The "bling" (decoration) on the horse’s equipment is considered fun. The type of bridle and bit are left entirely up to the rider as long as they are humane.

Jumpers are scored on a numerical scale, receiving “faults” (points subtracted from their score) for knocking down or hitting rails, stepping in the water jump, or going past the time allowed to complete the course. Style and form are not considered.

The United States Equestrian Foundation (USEF) and Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) associations have complete charts in their rulebooks that detail scoring. When competing in jumper classes, horses often jump the course several times to break a tie and determine the winner. Jumping is also an Olympic event for equestrians, whereas hunting is not.

The Plain English
In comparing the two types of horses, one might say that the hunter is the working horse whose job is to safely carry his rider over fences in the hunt field. The jumper is the horse who must show how athletic and brave he is as he negotiates an artificial environment.

BARB HENTO is an accomplished horsewoman born and raised in Bellingham, Washington. With her entrepreneurial drive and competitive spirit, she has been involved in all aspects and disciplines of the horse industry. She has trained and competed at some of the highest levels and has been a certified horse show judge since 1976. She continues to provide riding lessons and to both manage and judge horse shows around the Pacific Northwest and Canada.