Hunt Seat / Jumper

Hunt seat refers to a style of forward seat riding commonly found at American horse shows. Along with Dressage, it is one of the two classic forms of English riding. The Hunt seat is based on the tradition of fox hunting and includes both flat and over fences for show hunters, which judge the horse's movement and form, and equitation classes, which judge the rider's ability both on the flat and over fences. Hunt seat is also the generic term used to describe any form of forward seat riding, including that seen in show jumping and eventing.

Horses used in hunter over fences and hunter under saddle (or "flat", non-jumping) classes are called show hunters, and are judged on their movement, way of going, manners, and jumping form. Conformation is judged to some extent as well. Smooth, quiet-moving, well-built horses with an excellent temperament are desired. A related flat class is English Pleasure-Hunter Type, called simply "English Pleasure" in some places. Although a somewhat different style of horse than the classic hunter may be shown, the goals of good manners, performance, quality and conformation are still emphasized.

A show jumper is scored only on its jumping ability. Conformation, manners, and way of going are critical only as far as they affect soundness and ability to jump. Jumpers are often taller and more powerfully built than hunters, often with a bit more speed.

Learn the Basic English Riding Position

Step 1: Sit in the saddle on the triangle formed by your hip bones and your pubic bone. This is the basic seat position for any English discipline.

Step 2: Adjust the stirrup length so that there is a bend in your knee a bit wider than a 45-degree angle. Experienced dressage riders will ride with considerably longer stirrups and experienced jumpers with much shorter ones. Beginners will start in the middle. A common measure is to make the stirrup about the length of your arm, if your fist is over the stirrup bar and the stirrup is in your arm pit.

Step 3:Look down at your knees. If you see your toes out in front of them, draw your leg back so that the toes disappear under your knees.

Step 4: Draw your shoulders back and down. Move your upper body so that your shoulders, hips and heels are in alignment.

Step 5: Let the weight fall down into your heels, so that the heels drop lower than the bar of the stirrup.

Step 6: Position your hands over and a bit to each side of the horse's withers. Make a straight line from your elbow, to your hand, and to the horse's mouth along the reins. You are now sitting in a basic English riding position.