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The hunter jumper division is a branch of competitive horseback riding that is judged on the horse's performance, soundness and when indicated, conformation, suitability or manners. A "show hunter" is a horse that competes in this division. Show hunters, ideally, show many qualities that were rewarded in the fox hunting field such as manners, fluid movement, and correct jumping style. They are shown in hunt seat style tack, and are often of Warmblood or Thoroughbred type, though a hunter-style pony is also seen in youth classes. In the United States, show hunters are primarily exhibited over fences, with a few additional classes offered for horses shown in-hand or on the flat. In the United Kingdom, competition over fences is called "Working Hunter," and the term "Show Hunter" describes classes held on the flat.

Movement and frame
The show hunter should have a balanced frame, where they are ‘round’ in their top line and ‘on the bit’ softly. . They should have a long, sweeping step that covers maximum ground per minimum effort, and have a rhythmic, 12' stride at the canter. Ideally, the majority of the movement occurs from the horse's shoulder and hip, and there is minimal flexion in the horse's joints.

The frame of the show hunter differs from that of dressage horses, eventers, and show jumpers, as it travels in a long and low frame, with its head moderately extended. Its frame is more "stretched out" than horses competing in dressage, eventing, or show jumping, but the horse should not be on its forehand. The riders of show hunters often ride on a slightly looser rein than seen elsewhere to facilitate this type of movement, and the horse carries its head just in front of the vertical.

Although the horse is in a long and low frame, it should still be able to collect its stride when asked. The horse must also be proficient at lengthening its canter stride while still maintaining its tempo and rhythm.

The walk of the show hunter is free and ground-covering; the trot should be balanced and flowing. The canter should be moderately collected. The horse should have a long galloping stride (12 feet is the expected length), but it should still be balanced and rhythmic.

Jumping form
A good show hunter must possess an excellent jumping form. The forearm should be parallel or higher with the ground, and the knees and lower legs should be even. The horse should not be lazy with its lower legs, but should tuck them under its forearm as it clears the fence, clearly bending its fetlocks and knees. The horse should not throw its body or legs to one side, but should stay perfectly straight over the fence. A good show hunter should show a great bascule, or roundness over a jump. This is often described as the horse taking the shape of a dolphin jumping out of the water, with the horse's back up, and its head reaching forward and down over the fence.

Turn-out
Show hunters are well groomed for show, clean with a shiny coat. The horse is to be bathed before the competition, with special attention paid to white markings. Depending on the level of show, show hunters may need to be braided. Horses are to be braided on the right side of the neck for hunters with yarn that matches the color of the mane. Braids are to be small, neat, and tight. Lower level shows do not require braiding, however higher rated shows frown upon unbraided horses and might penalize for their informality. In these higher level shows, horses will have have a braided mane and sometimes a braided tail. The horses' hooves are polished before they enters the show ring.

The show hunter's hair is to be clipped prior to a show. This includes the whiskers around the muzzle, the hair in and around the ears, the bridle path, and lower jaw. The legs are also trimmed, removing all fetlock hair and feathering, and trimming the pasterns and coronet. In the winter, show hunters are often given a full clip, removing all the body hair, to give them a neater appearance in the show ring. The mane and forelock are braided, usually using yarn matching the color of the mane.

Tails are not pulled at the dock, so that it may be braided, and the bottom of the tail is left natural in US competition, not trimmed. The tail is braided from the top down to the end of the tail bone, with the rest of the tail left loose.

The course
The course of fences a show hunter must jump is usually made up of 8-12 obstacles and must be set at the required height. that corresponds to each division. Obstacles must simulate those found in the hunting field such as natural post and rail, brush, stone wall, white board fence or gate, chicken coop, aiken, hedge, oxer, etc. The fences in hunters are not brightly-colored as in show jumping, instead they are mostly natural colors such as brown, green, white, and beige. Open water jumps and liverpools, common obstacles in show jumping arena, are not used in a show hunter course. Although combination fences may be seen, they are usually only two elements, and have easier distances between them than those found in show jumping. Banks and ditches are not found on the show hunter course, nor are any major changes in terrain, and often the horses jump on level footing in an enclosed arena.

The distance between fences is usually a set number of strides, with each stride 12 feet in length. Unlike a show jumper, the show hunter does not need to go to extreme lengths to collect or extend its stride to meet the distances correctly. The horse must put a certain amount of strides between each set of fences if they are in a line. If the horse and rider don't do this, points will be taken off the overall score.

The show hunter should maintain a good pace throughout the course of fences, but keep an even rhythm, neither speeding up nor slowing down. The horse is judged on its smoothness around the course, its movement, jumping form, and whether it reaches each "spot", or the distance of takeoff in front of a jump, correctly. A poor spot would put the horse too close or too far back from the jump, so that it would either have to stretch and make a great effort over the fence, or have to jump more "up and down" rather than over the fence. A poor spot interrupts the rhythm of a course, and increases the likelihood that a horse will rub or drop a rail.

A good ride over fences will look easy, with the horse jumping from the correct takeoff spot, easily fitting the strides in between the jumps (as opposed to having to really stretch out or collect its stride), and cleanly making the flying changes required. Refusals, knocked rails, or rubs over fences incur a severe drop (faults) in the rider's score.

Minor to major faults
a simple or flying change of lead)
 * 1) Rubbing the jump
 * 2) Swapping leads in a line or in front of a jump
 * 3) Late lead changes
 * 4) Freshness
 * 5) Spooking
 * 6) Kicking up or out
 * 7) Jumping out of form
 * 8) Jumping off the center line of jump
 * 9) Bucking and/or playing
 * 10) Adding a stride in a line with a related distance
 * 11) Eliminating a stride in a line with a related distance
 * 12) Striking off on a wrong lead on the courtesy circle. (May be corrected with either

Major faults.
jump to the horse. the course diagram i.e. trot jumps, steep banks, etc, and also as outlined above in HU135.1l. Striking off on a wrong lead on the courtesy circle.)
 * 1) Knockdown
 * 2) Refusal
 * 3) Stopping for loss of shoe or broken equipment
 * 4) Refusal or stopping while on course
 * 5) Dangerous jumping
 * 6) Addressing a jump - coming to a stop in front of a jump in order to show the
 * 1) Completely missing a lead change
 * 2) Adding or eliminating a stride in an in and out.
 * 3) Breaking stride, or Trotting while on course. (Exceptions-Where posted on

Faults that constitute elimination.
12/1/12
 * 1) Three refusals
 * 2) Off course
 * 3) Jumping course before it is reset
 * 4) Bolting from the ring
 * 5) Fall of horse and/or rider (rider shall not remount in the ring). BOD 1/14/12 Effective

The show hunter vs. the field hunter
A show hunter's balanced frame along with its forward, fluid gaits relate back to the fox hunting field where it was necessary for a horse to be balanced so that they could cope with the changing terrain and handle upcoming obstacles. Field hunters needed to conserve as much energy as possible during their long riding sessions, which is why excessive joint action is frowned upon in the hunter ring.

Although the qualities of the show hunter are based on those of the field hunter, the modern show horse is somewhat different from its counterpart in the field. The field hunter must be tougher and more durable, with great stamina, to cope with the difficulties of a long day of hunting. The field hunter must also be extremely brave, as it often has to jump solid objects, and other natural obstacles such as stone walls, ditches, banks, and hedges, and must occasionally go through water. Unlike the show hunter, the field hunter must travel over varied terrain. In some ways, a good field hunter is more closely related to a good eventer, rather than a show hunter, as the cross-country phase of eventing includes ditches, banks, water, brush, and varied terrain. The show hunter has been bred for attractive appearance, fluidity, and precision in the arena. It is common for the modern show hunter to train only in the arena, with little to no experience in the field.

Classes and Divisions
Show hunter competition at a horse show consists of multiple classes of different types grouped into divisions, usually based on the experience or age of the rider or horse, or the height of the animal. In all classes except equitation, the horse is judged on performance and soundness, and usually also on conformation, suitability and manners.

High Scoring Show Hunter
A high scoring hunter maintains an even 12’ foot stride to the jumps, as well as around the corners and between the jumps. They will look relaxed and seem to float effortlessly around the courses, meeting all of their fences in the ideal 6’ takeoff distance. ***citation (from the judges stand)*** Courses are to be ridden  jumps are ridden on a straight line

Types of classes

 * Flat - Sometimes also called "hunter under saddle" or "hack" classes.  These are group classes where all the competitors entered are judged in the ring at the same time. Required gaits are the walk, trot, and canter. Some classes will also occasionally ask for a counter canter or a hand gallop. At the end of the class the competitors line up in the middle of the ring and awards are given.


 * Hunter- Sometimes called "hunter over fences" or "working hunter" classes. Horses in hunter classes are shown one at a time over a course of jumps. The horse and rider are generally expected to enter the ring at the trot and make a large circle for about a third or one half of the ring before cantering to the course of 8-12 obstacles. After the course has been completed, they are also expected to complete another circle of similar size at the trot before leaving the arena.


 * Equitation - The rider is judged on riding ability and form, and though the performance of the horse is not specifically judged, it is nonetheless considered to reflect the rider's ability. Both flat and over fences classes are offered.
 * Leadline - This division is for the least experienced of riders, where the rider is led by a person on the ground. It may include walk, trot, and very low fences (less than 12 inches). It is not commonly seen at USEF approved or "official" shows.


 * "Handy" classes - A hunter class that combines elements of flat and over-fences classes, often with elements reminiscent of field hunting. For example; in addition to jumping a course, the rider may be asked to open and close a gate or to dismount and lead the horse over a small fence.


 * Model, or in-hand classes - The horse is judged on conformation and movement suitable for that of a hunter. Horses are only led in these classes, not ridden, and the horse is presented for judging without a saddle.

Divisions

 * Pony - Classes for horses not exceeding . There is usually 3 divisions for ponies - small (ponies less than 12.2 hands), medium (ponies between 12.2 and 13.2 hands), and large (ponies between 13.3 and 14.2 hands). The courses for each division differ by the height of the obstacles and distance between obstacles, which is based on the pony's average stride size.


 * Adult Amateur - This is a division for Adults (18 years and over) who are not professionals, which means that they do not participate in any professional activities surrounding their riding.


 * Junior and Children - This is a division for riders who are under 18.


 * Regular - This division is open to any horse.


 * Green - This is a division for inexperienced, usually young horses in their first or second year of competition in classes where national specifications require horses to jump fences at 3'6" or higher. In smaller local or regional shows that do not seek approval of the USEF, qualifications may be more lenient.