Ask Hunter Jumper Connection
Hunter Jumper Connection frequently receives questions from readers of the Hunter Jumper Connection website and blog. Most of the time, Erin (amateur adult rider and webmaster), answers these questions. However, depending on what the question is about, Erin may also recruit equine professionals to answer these questions. If you have a question for Hunter Jumper Connection, use the Contact Us page to drop us a line! Here are some of the questions we have been asked and answers we have provided:
What's an "In and Out"?
what does" in and out" mean on a hunter course?
-Christina
Hi Christina,
Good question!
An in and out on a hunter course means that it is either a one-stride
or a two-stride related jumping distance. The best way to know the stridings is to look at the posted course map and see what the measurements are for the line. If
it is a one stride, it will most likely measure 24 feet, and if it is a
two-stride, it will measure 36 feet for the average horse hunter
course.
-Holly
A Fashion Question
It seems as though the trend is to not wear a pin or monogram on the ratcatcher. What are your thoughts? Any thoughts on the wrap collar?
-Phyllis
Hi Phyllis,
Thanks for writing in. Fashion questions are my favorite! I agree that stock pins are definitely out of style and have been for a number of years. I believe that they are actually not allowed in Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) shows. I suppose they are afraid someone will get poked.
I rarely see them at shows anymore. The monograms are still in, although I think most people are favoring subtle monograms; not too large and maybe even in thread colors that somewhat blend into the shirt. The wrap collar ratcatchers, also referred to as “convertible show shirts” are very in style. I’m still seeing the traditional show shirts, but a lot of the convertible ones too. I was skeptical of the convertible show shirts at first. I thought they might be too non-traditional looking for hunters. Then I bought a white one at a Dover tent sale and fell in love with it. I don’t think judges can notice the difference between it and a regular shirt. It’s really nice to be able to unsnap the collar and roll up the sleeves between divisions and still look “cute.” I get a lot of compliments on the shirt. I think that the convertible shirts are here to stay and it’s acceptable to monogram them or not to. The only problem I have heard about with them is that some jumper riders say they have popped open during big jumping efforts. I, in my low hunter rounds, have never experienced that!
I think, in general, we are seeing a trend toward conservatively colored show clothes. We seem to be getting back to tan breeches, white shirts and navy jackets. I think the biggest advance in our show clothes is TECHNICAL FABRICS. They make a huge difference to us equestrian athletes. My convertible show shirt is CoolMax and I will never buy a cotton show shirt again. I also (unfortunately) tried on a soft shell show coat. Grand Prix, RJ Classics and several other smaller manufacturers make them. They are made of synthetic Schoeller technical fabric with mesh liners which makes them very light weight. They are machine washable and do not require ironing. They are still very expensive compared to wool coats, but I must have one at some point!
-Erin
My Horse Keeps Refusing
I do hunters. I love it but I don’t really have the best/most ready horse... I wouldn’t really say she is green but she's 5 and she is very timid towards jumping and sometimes refuses it. I give her leg and more leg! Do you think it’s her saddle? She is VERY high withered. Can you give me some advice?
-Elaina
Hi Elaina,
As you probably know, I’m not a trainer, just a fellow rider, but I will still give you my opinion. First, if you are not already taking lessons on your horse with a qualified trainer, you should try to do that. A good trainer who knows your horse is the best person to give you advice and a plan of action to help improve your horse’s behavior. Some horses are more timid than others towards jumping. It sounds like your horse doesn’t currently feel confident about jumping. Rider error frequently contributes to horses learning that they can refuse jumps. For example, riders that accidentally bang their horses in the mouth over fences can teach the horse not to jump in order to avoid pain. This is why it is very important that you get a trainer to assess why your horse is hesitant about jumping. She may be able to give you fixes for your riding that will help, or your horse might need schooling by a stronger or more advanced rider for a while to show her that she must jump.
To build your horse’s confidence, you can practice riding her in a straight, forward trot toward small crossrails. You must be careful not to overface her. You should teach her that it is not okay to refuse. If she does refuse, don’t let her run out of the fence keep her in front of it. With her standing facing fence, squeeze your legs and hit her with your crop once, then make a small circle and jump the fence. Make sure to hold some mane! Again, it is best to do this type of exercise with a trainer present.
You were also concerned that your horse might be refusing due to poor saddle fit. Poor saddle fit can make horses back sore and cause them to act out, including refusing jumps, although I think it sounds like your horse is having more of a training issue. Do have your saddle fit assessed by a professional to rule poor saddle fit out as a problem. A vet, saddle fitter, or knowledgeable trainer can help you fit your saddle and determine if your horse is back sore. If saddle fit is a problem and you can’t afford a new one, using a correction half pad can help with minor fit issues. However, if the saddle is a really poor fit, you should not use it. Find a way to borrow a saddle or trade yours in for another used one. Many tack shops have consignment saddles and can help you with this. If saddle fit is a problem, don’t ride your horse in a saddle that doesn’t fit. This can cause serious problems for you and your horse. I hope that helps.
-Erin
And this is trainer Holly Stello's answer to your question:
Hi Elaina,
Good questions. Sounds like you need some answers! Having a young mare that has been performing for you inconsistently is not an uncommon problem. I'm glad you brought up your saddle issues. It's possible that ill-fitting equipment can certainly be part of the problem, but I would not say it is the only one. I would seek the advise of a trainer or a saddle-fitter to really evaluate the way your horse fits the saddle. It could be causing problems, and it's always nice if the horse feels great in every way possible when getting worked. A saddle fitter is a great way to not spend money on a new saddle, and make your horse more comfortable.
There are a couple of exercises you can do to have more confidence and consistency over fences. The first would be to set the fences pretty low until you are having great rides and feel comfortable to move them up in height. Set up a line of two low jumps at 72 feet apart. Trot in and canter out of the line in 6 easy strides. Then canter in and trot out. Do this several times until your mare is relaxed, listening, and soft in the transitions and is jumping straight and calmly. Another great thing to do as a warm up would be bounces with cross-rails. I would set up two of them 12 feet apart and canter through them several times both directions. This is another way of getting a consistent length of strides and getting her to focus on her feet and not her pace! Once you accomplish this, you can continue on with other exercises. (Refer to the Hunter Jumper Connection Blog for more!)
I would also say to make a schedule for yourself and your horse. Horses are working animals and need a routine to really understand and memorize the job they are given. For example: work on flatwork three days a week, work on jumping 2 days a week, and take a trail ride 1 day, then have a day off. You should see a difference in your horse's attitude and performance.
Good luck!
-Holly
Going Pro
Hi, I'm a 18 year old horse enthusiast trying to decide whether my horse passion lies in jumping/eventing or polo (I'm currently riding in both). Was hoping you could tell me the steps to becoming a "professional" jumper rider (i.e. do you have to compete in the Olympics?), as well as what a typical salary might look like for a professional rider! Thanks for your help!
-Thomas
Hi Thomas, Erin here. Because your question is about "going pro," I asked my professional trainer, Holly Stello to answer your question. Here's what she has to say:
Hi Thomas,
Good question! Lots of young adults have been asking me the same thing recently since I work with lots of college aged clients. If I had to answer the question: "how do I become a Professional" in one word it would be "experience". Professionals gain respect, business, and loyalty based on what they have done in their horse career. You have to first ask yourself a couple questions before creating a plan to make a career happen. Some of those questions are:
What discipline do I MOST enjoy?
In what discipline do I use all of my skills? For example, if you know that you are not the bravest rider in the world, then eventing may not be for you.
What are my weaknesses as a rider, people person, and teacher?
How dedicated am I to taking the time to improve upon those weaknesses?
Steps to gain experience:
Figure out (through the questions above) what your discipline is. It sounds to me like you want your focus to be on Jumpers. So after deciding that your focus will be Jumpers and/or Eventing (you can do both!) then you need to first find a mentor. Find a trainer or professional who can offer you insight into the business. This industry is inconsistent, and unpredictable. What you may have guessed or assumed about this business is probably not the case when you become a professional. After getting some inside information, you need to put yourself through an unofficial or official internship to get the experience and training that you need. This may take 2 months, or it might take years depending on your show experience and riding level. Ride as many horses as you can, take as many lessons with different people as you can, and show A LOT. One way to do this with little financial trouble is becoming a working student for a high level instructor. Another great way to become a professional during all of your education/experience, is to read. Pick out books that are specific to your discipline, but also, read about other ones too. You'll learn a lot more than you think! I read very frequently, and am still learning, even though I've been doing this for a long time.
Lastly, before you start advertising and building your business, you want to have a personal philosophy that will be the structure of your business. Go back to your strengths. For example, my "catch phrase" (or what I'd like people to most remember about me) is "honesty, experience, and professionalism in Hunter/Eq training". Maybe your's will be, "taking young horses from the field and into the jumper ring" or "teaching kids how to safely learn how to event". What do you want to be known for? Do the work, and good luck!!
I could probably go on and on, but for the sake of a "short answer" this might have to do!
As far as a salary, it depends on your clients, training, and sales. In one year, you might just teach more than you do anything else and if you charge anything in between $20-$60 for several lessons a week, you can expect a pretty low salary. But if you take clients to shows several times a season, have some training projects, teaching a lot of lessons, and do sales (commissions, investments) and depending on how much money those sales horses are worth (remember you have to put a ton of money into them too), then you can expect a decent living. The typical new professional makes in between $15,000. and $40,000. per year. It really depends on how hard you work, and how dedicated your customers are to riding reguarly with you.
-Holly
The Right Jumping Saddle
I have ridden all my life and I just decided I wanted to show jump. I have a bay thoroughbred and I wanted to know what color saddle I should get him and what type? For example, an all purpose or a close contact or a eventing saddle. Thank you so much!
-Alexis
Hi Alexis,
Great question! Technically for jumpers, you are judged objectively on performance only. Therefore, the type and color of saddle shouldn’t count. If you just want to play in the jumper ring and already have an eventing or all purpose saddle, you can use that if it works for you. Although anything goes, I can still tell you what would be most appropriate if you want to go buy something. For the jumpers, you will want a “close-contact” or “jumping” saddle. Close contact/jumping saddles are designed specifically for show-jumping type activities unlike all purpose or eventing saddles. There is a lot of variation in quality and design of jumping saddles depending on the manufacturer and model. If you want a saddle under $1,000 to dabble in jumping, you might consider a used saddle. Pessoa saddles are popular close contact saddles that can often be found used for that amount. If you would like to buy new, I think that Dover Saddlery Circuit brand saddles are a nice entry level saddle. I have ridden in them, and while the leather quality isn’t the best, the saddle design seems good and they are quite comfortable to ride in as a result. Bates brand are also popular.
As for the color, I suggest going with a brown one. Black saddles are mainly seen in dressage, but not frequently in jumping. Any brown will work from oakbark (red-brown) to havana (dark brown) to newmarket (orange-brown). Of course, some people do not like newmarket because it can be orange-looking. Color definitely isn’t the most important thing. It is most important to find a saddle that is right for your discipline and fits you and your horse well.
On a sidenote, if you ever decide to cross over into hunter or equitation divisions, the judging is subjective and conservative turnout is expected. I would say that in a case like this, the appropriate saddle would definitely be a brown close contact saddle. Anything else would likely distract from the picture of conservative turnout.
Hope that helps!
Erin
Which Helmet is Best?
Can you tell me the difference between the types of helmets available, which is used for jumpers and which is used for hunters? Also, which brand or make do you like best and why?
-Chezanne
Hi Chezanne,
Thanks for writing! All protective helmets designed for horseback riding must meet minimum ASTM/SEI safety standards. Decorative hunt caps do not meet these standards, so watch out for those. Once the ASTM/SEI standards are met, there is no way of knowing for sure which brands or styles are more protective. Traditionally styled velvet hunt caps, preferably with a tan leather harness are acceptable for both the hunter and jumper ring. You can get these from many manufacturers including Troxel, International and Charles Owen. Prices will vary but you can probably find one for $100 or possibly less.
GPA Titium helmets and GPA Speedair by Pikeur are currently very popular in the jumper ring. I see them at international competitions right down to the local shows. I wear a black velvet GPA myself for the hunter ring. However, at almost $500 retail price, they are not accessible to everyone. Also, they do not fit some people because of their shape and may not be any more protective than a cheaper helmet.With the jumper ring in general, there is more flexibility in terms of attire, so any black, traditional well-fitting helmet is just fine.
The hunter ring is much more conservative and concerned with attire. Again, any black velvet helmet with tan leather harness is perfectly acceptable (traditionalists often wear the Charles Owen brand). However, most riders at the rated shows these days are wearing the GPA Titiums (~$479) or Charles Owen GR8s (~$379) and those are my top picks for the hunter ring. My bargain pick for the hunter ring is the Charles Owen JR8 ($139). It is a gorgeous helmet and almost a dead ringer for the more expensive GR8. The harness is a different.
I hope this information helps. You can see all of these helmets on www.Doversaddlery.com. Even if you don't buy a helmet from Dover it is a good place to begin your research.
-Erin
Is my Saddle Right for Hunter Jumpers?
I have the Bates Caprilli close contact. Instructor said it would do for now, but it is not a true jumping saddle. You now have a hunter/jumper saddle. A review talked about how shallow the seat was and less secure. What are the differences between a caprilli and the hunter/jumper saddle? What saddle would you suggest for hunter/jumper? Is a caprilli a good saddle for this?
-Mary
Hi Mary,
The Bates Caprilli Close Contact saddle is suitable for riding both hunters and jumpers. If you had the Caprilli All-Purpose, then it would not be as suitable, but let’s focus on the close contact. All close contact saddles are designed for jumping. They have a shallow to medium deep seat and some have options such as padded flaps, knee rolls or knee and thigh blocks for added security. In short, there is a lot of variation within the category of close contact saddles. A Grand Prix rider jumping huge fences will probably select a saddle with a deeper seat and blocks to give her more support in the air. For those of us jumping smaller fences, which close contact saddle we ride in is a matter of personal choice. The most important thing is that the saddle fits the horse well and the second priority is that the saddle size fits the rider and helps the ride maintain appropriate position to do her job. If the saddle does both of these things, then there is no reason to replace it. If you are showing in the saddle, of course, you will also want to make to make sure that it is in fairly good condition. You may want to ask your trainer to clarify the reason why she finds your saddle unsuitable. From your email, it sounds appropriate for the type of riding you do.
Regards,
Erin
Written Test Anxiety
I am 12 years old and in the mini medal classes. I was wondering if we take a written test what kind of questions do they ask us? Thank you.
- Jillian
Hi Jillian,
Thanks for writing in. If you are doing mini medal classes at local shows that are not sanctioned by USEF, then it is up to the show management to decide if they would like to give a written test. Most shows probably won’t give a written test, but the only way to know for sure is to ask show management or read the class description in the prize list. If you are showing is USEF rated mini medals, then it’s best to check the USEF Rulebook. The Rule Book lists tests that can be given by judges during a medal final. Test 8 states that judges may ask “Question(s) regarding basic horsemanship, tack and equipment and conformation.” This is a test that can be administered to riders under 14. So, it is possible that you may be asked verbal questions about riding and horsemanship. I have had judges ask me verbal questions at local shows during medal classes. It is always best to study things like parts of the horse and tack and to understand the basic principles of hunter seat riding (for example: what are the major natural and artificial rider aids). Even if you are never tested, it is a good idea for all young riders to become good horse people by studying these topics. You can probably find some medal final practice questions by searching online. Good Luck!
-Erin
Grab Straps Allowed?
Is a Beginner Hunter allowed to have a grab strap on their saddle? I go to schooling shows.
-Donna
Hi Donna,
Thanks for writing in. A grab strap (which attaches to the dee rings on either side of the pommel and can be held to help the rider balance) will probably be allowed at a schooling show. Schooling shows get to make their own rules, so to know for sure whether the strap is allowed or not, I would contact show management.
My only concern is why the grab strap is needed for a rider who plans to show. I have seen grab straps used for leadline riders, but typically riders off the lead don’t require a grab strap because they have learned a strong base of support though their leg which allows them to stay in place on the horse. There are probably some exceptions, for example, a physically challenged rider with poor muscle control might need a grab strap, but for the most part, I have never seen them used in a show environment for riders off the lead. Keep in mind that if your rider is allowed to use the grab strap, it might give the judge a poor first impression because the judge will wonder why it is needed. If the grab strap is only used occasionally when the horse bucks or behaves badly, then you might consider teaching the rider to grab mane instead. However, if the rider has not yet developed a good base of support, it might be a good idea to continue practicing at home before going to a show. Work without stirrups on a reliable horse is a great way to strengthen the leg.
Erin
What's an "In and Out"?
what does" in and out" mean on a hunter course?
-Christina
Hi Christina,
Good question!
An in and out on a hunter course means that it is either a one-stride
or a two-stride related jumping distance. The best way to know the stridings is to look at the posted course map and see what the measurements are for the line. If
it is a one stride, it will most likely measure 24 feet, and if it is a
two-stride, it will measure 36 feet for the average horse hunter
course.
-Holly
A Fashion Question
It seems as though the trend is to not wear a pin or monogram on the ratcatcher. What are your thoughts? Any thoughts on the wrap collar?
-Phyllis
Hi Phyllis,
Thanks for writing in. Fashion questions are my favorite! I agree that stock pins are definitely out of style and have been for a number of years. I believe that they are actually not allowed in Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) shows. I suppose they are afraid someone will get poked.
I rarely see them at shows anymore. The monograms are still in, although I think most people are favoring subtle monograms; not too large and maybe even in thread colors that somewhat blend into the shirt. The wrap collar ratcatchers, also referred to as “convertible show shirts” are very in style. I’m still seeing the traditional show shirts, but a lot of the convertible ones too. I was skeptical of the convertible show shirts at first. I thought they might be too non-traditional looking for hunters. Then I bought a white one at a Dover tent sale and fell in love with it. I don’t think judges can notice the difference between it and a regular shirt. It’s really nice to be able to unsnap the collar and roll up the sleeves between divisions and still look “cute.” I get a lot of compliments on the shirt. I think that the convertible shirts are here to stay and it’s acceptable to monogram them or not to. The only problem I have heard about with them is that some jumper riders say they have popped open during big jumping efforts. I, in my low hunter rounds, have never experienced that!
I think, in general, we are seeing a trend toward conservatively colored show clothes. We seem to be getting back to tan breeches, white shirts and navy jackets. I think the biggest advance in our show clothes is TECHNICAL FABRICS. They make a huge difference to us equestrian athletes. My convertible show shirt is CoolMax and I will never buy a cotton show shirt again. I also (unfortunately) tried on a soft shell show coat. Grand Prix, RJ Classics and several other smaller manufacturers make them. They are made of synthetic Schoeller technical fabric with mesh liners which makes them very light weight. They are machine washable and do not require ironing. They are still very expensive compared to wool coats, but I must have one at some point!
-Erin
My Horse Keeps Refusing
I do hunters. I love it but I don’t really have the best/most ready horse... I wouldn’t really say she is green but she's 5 and she is very timid towards jumping and sometimes refuses it. I give her leg and more leg! Do you think it’s her saddle? She is VERY high withered. Can you give me some advice?
-Elaina
Hi Elaina,
As you probably know, I’m not a trainer, just a fellow rider, but I will still give you my opinion. First, if you are not already taking lessons on your horse with a qualified trainer, you should try to do that. A good trainer who knows your horse is the best person to give you advice and a plan of action to help improve your horse’s behavior. Some horses are more timid than others towards jumping. It sounds like your horse doesn’t currently feel confident about jumping. Rider error frequently contributes to horses learning that they can refuse jumps. For example, riders that accidentally bang their horses in the mouth over fences can teach the horse not to jump in order to avoid pain. This is why it is very important that you get a trainer to assess why your horse is hesitant about jumping. She may be able to give you fixes for your riding that will help, or your horse might need schooling by a stronger or more advanced rider for a while to show her that she must jump.
To build your horse’s confidence, you can practice riding her in a straight, forward trot toward small crossrails. You must be careful not to overface her. You should teach her that it is not okay to refuse. If she does refuse, don’t let her run out of the fence keep her in front of it. With her standing facing fence, squeeze your legs and hit her with your crop once, then make a small circle and jump the fence. Make sure to hold some mane! Again, it is best to do this type of exercise with a trainer present.
You were also concerned that your horse might be refusing due to poor saddle fit. Poor saddle fit can make horses back sore and cause them to act out, including refusing jumps, although I think it sounds like your horse is having more of a training issue. Do have your saddle fit assessed by a professional to rule poor saddle fit out as a problem. A vet, saddle fitter, or knowledgeable trainer can help you fit your saddle and determine if your horse is back sore. If saddle fit is a problem and you can’t afford a new one, using a correction half pad can help with minor fit issues. However, if the saddle is a really poor fit, you should not use it. Find a way to borrow a saddle or trade yours in for another used one. Many tack shops have consignment saddles and can help you with this. If saddle fit is a problem, don’t ride your horse in a saddle that doesn’t fit. This can cause serious problems for you and your horse. I hope that helps.
-Erin
And this is trainer Holly Stello's answer to your question:
Hi Elaina,
Good questions. Sounds like you need some answers! Having a young mare that has been performing for you inconsistently is not an uncommon problem. I'm glad you brought up your saddle issues. It's possible that ill-fitting equipment can certainly be part of the problem, but I would not say it is the only one. I would seek the advise of a trainer or a saddle-fitter to really evaluate the way your horse fits the saddle. It could be causing problems, and it's always nice if the horse feels great in every way possible when getting worked. A saddle fitter is a great way to not spend money on a new saddle, and make your horse more comfortable.
There are a couple of exercises you can do to have more confidence and consistency over fences. The first would be to set the fences pretty low until you are having great rides and feel comfortable to move them up in height. Set up a line of two low jumps at 72 feet apart. Trot in and canter out of the line in 6 easy strides. Then canter in and trot out. Do this several times until your mare is relaxed, listening, and soft in the transitions and is jumping straight and calmly. Another great thing to do as a warm up would be bounces with cross-rails. I would set up two of them 12 feet apart and canter through them several times both directions. This is another way of getting a consistent length of strides and getting her to focus on her feet and not her pace! Once you accomplish this, you can continue on with other exercises. (Refer to the Hunter Jumper Connection Blog for more!)
I would also say to make a schedule for yourself and your horse. Horses are working animals and need a routine to really understand and memorize the job they are given. For example: work on flatwork three days a week, work on jumping 2 days a week, and take a trail ride 1 day, then have a day off. You should see a difference in your horse's attitude and performance.
Good luck!
-Holly
Going Pro
Hi, I'm a 18 year old horse enthusiast trying to decide whether my horse passion lies in jumping/eventing or polo (I'm currently riding in both). Was hoping you could tell me the steps to becoming a "professional" jumper rider (i.e. do you have to compete in the Olympics?), as well as what a typical salary might look like for a professional rider! Thanks for your help!
-Thomas
Hi Thomas, Erin here. Because your question is about "going pro," I asked my professional trainer, Holly Stello to answer your question. Here's what she has to say:
Hi Thomas,
Good question! Lots of young adults have been asking me the same thing recently since I work with lots of college aged clients. If I had to answer the question: "how do I become a Professional" in one word it would be "experience". Professionals gain respect, business, and loyalty based on what they have done in their horse career. You have to first ask yourself a couple questions before creating a plan to make a career happen. Some of those questions are:
What discipline do I MOST enjoy?
In what discipline do I use all of my skills? For example, if you know that you are not the bravest rider in the world, then eventing may not be for you.
What are my weaknesses as a rider, people person, and teacher?
How dedicated am I to taking the time to improve upon those weaknesses?
Steps to gain experience:
Figure out (through the questions above) what your discipline is. It sounds to me like you want your focus to be on Jumpers. So after deciding that your focus will be Jumpers and/or Eventing (you can do both!) then you need to first find a mentor. Find a trainer or professional who can offer you insight into the business. This industry is inconsistent, and unpredictable. What you may have guessed or assumed about this business is probably not the case when you become a professional. After getting some inside information, you need to put yourself through an unofficial or official internship to get the experience and training that you need. This may take 2 months, or it might take years depending on your show experience and riding level. Ride as many horses as you can, take as many lessons with different people as you can, and show A LOT. One way to do this with little financial trouble is becoming a working student for a high level instructor. Another great way to become a professional during all of your education/experience, is to read. Pick out books that are specific to your discipline, but also, read about other ones too. You'll learn a lot more than you think! I read very frequently, and am still learning, even though I've been doing this for a long time.
Lastly, before you start advertising and building your business, you want to have a personal philosophy that will be the structure of your business. Go back to your strengths. For example, my "catch phrase" (or what I'd like people to most remember about me) is "honesty, experience, and professionalism in Hunter/Eq training". Maybe your's will be, "taking young horses from the field and into the jumper ring" or "teaching kids how to safely learn how to event". What do you want to be known for? Do the work, and good luck!!
I could probably go on and on, but for the sake of a "short answer" this might have to do!
As far as a salary, it depends on your clients, training, and sales. In one year, you might just teach more than you do anything else and if you charge anything in between $20-$60 for several lessons a week, you can expect a pretty low salary. But if you take clients to shows several times a season, have some training projects, teaching a lot of lessons, and do sales (commissions, investments) and depending on how much money those sales horses are worth (remember you have to put a ton of money into them too), then you can expect a decent living. The typical new professional makes in between $15,000. and $40,000. per year. It really depends on how hard you work, and how dedicated your customers are to riding reguarly with you.
-Holly
The Right Jumping Saddle
I have ridden all my life and I just decided I wanted to show jump. I have a bay thoroughbred and I wanted to know what color saddle I should get him and what type? For example, an all purpose or a close contact or a eventing saddle. Thank you so much!
-Alexis
Hi Alexis,
Great question! Technically for jumpers, you are judged objectively on performance only. Therefore, the type and color of saddle shouldn’t count. If you just want to play in the jumper ring and already have an eventing or all purpose saddle, you can use that if it works for you. Although anything goes, I can still tell you what would be most appropriate if you want to go buy something. For the jumpers, you will want a “close-contact” or “jumping” saddle. Close contact/jumping saddles are designed specifically for show-jumping type activities unlike all purpose or eventing saddles. There is a lot of variation in quality and design of jumping saddles depending on the manufacturer and model. If you want a saddle under $1,000 to dabble in jumping, you might consider a used saddle. Pessoa saddles are popular close contact saddles that can often be found used for that amount. If you would like to buy new, I think that Dover Saddlery Circuit brand saddles are a nice entry level saddle. I have ridden in them, and while the leather quality isn’t the best, the saddle design seems good and they are quite comfortable to ride in as a result. Bates brand are also popular.
As for the color, I suggest going with a brown one. Black saddles are mainly seen in dressage, but not frequently in jumping. Any brown will work from oakbark (red-brown) to havana (dark brown) to newmarket (orange-brown). Of course, some people do not like newmarket because it can be orange-looking. Color definitely isn’t the most important thing. It is most important to find a saddle that is right for your discipline and fits you and your horse well.
On a sidenote, if you ever decide to cross over into hunter or equitation divisions, the judging is subjective and conservative turnout is expected. I would say that in a case like this, the appropriate saddle would definitely be a brown close contact saddle. Anything else would likely distract from the picture of conservative turnout.
Hope that helps!
Erin
Which Helmet is Best?
Can you tell me the difference between the types of helmets available, which is used for jumpers and which is used for hunters? Also, which brand or make do you like best and why?
-Chezanne
Hi Chezanne,
Thanks for writing! All protective helmets designed for horseback riding must meet minimum ASTM/SEI safety standards. Decorative hunt caps do not meet these standards, so watch out for those. Once the ASTM/SEI standards are met, there is no way of knowing for sure which brands or styles are more protective. Traditionally styled velvet hunt caps, preferably with a tan leather harness are acceptable for both the hunter and jumper ring. You can get these from many manufacturers including Troxel, International and Charles Owen. Prices will vary but you can probably find one for $100 or possibly less.
GPA Titium helmets and GPA Speedair by Pikeur are currently very popular in the jumper ring. I see them at international competitions right down to the local shows. I wear a black velvet GPA myself for the hunter ring. However, at almost $500 retail price, they are not accessible to everyone. Also, they do not fit some people because of their shape and may not be any more protective than a cheaper helmet.With the jumper ring in general, there is more flexibility in terms of attire, so any black, traditional well-fitting helmet is just fine.
The hunter ring is much more conservative and concerned with attire. Again, any black velvet helmet with tan leather harness is perfectly acceptable (traditionalists often wear the Charles Owen brand). However, most riders at the rated shows these days are wearing the GPA Titiums (~$479) or Charles Owen GR8s (~$379) and those are my top picks for the hunter ring. My bargain pick for the hunter ring is the Charles Owen JR8 ($139). It is a gorgeous helmet and almost a dead ringer for the more expensive GR8. The harness is a different.
I hope this information helps. You can see all of these helmets on www.Doversaddlery.com. Even if you don't buy a helmet from Dover it is a good place to begin your research.
-Erin
Is my Saddle Right for Hunter Jumpers?
I have the Bates Caprilli close contact. Instructor said it would do for now, but it is not a true jumping saddle. You now have a hunter/jumper saddle. A review talked about how shallow the seat was and less secure. What are the differences between a caprilli and the hunter/jumper saddle? What saddle would you suggest for hunter/jumper? Is a caprilli a good saddle for this?
-Mary
Hi Mary,
The Bates Caprilli Close Contact saddle is suitable for riding both hunters and jumpers. If you had the Caprilli All-Purpose, then it would not be as suitable, but let’s focus on the close contact. All close contact saddles are designed for jumping. They have a shallow to medium deep seat and some have options such as padded flaps, knee rolls or knee and thigh blocks for added security. In short, there is a lot of variation within the category of close contact saddles. A Grand Prix rider jumping huge fences will probably select a saddle with a deeper seat and blocks to give her more support in the air. For those of us jumping smaller fences, which close contact saddle we ride in is a matter of personal choice. The most important thing is that the saddle fits the horse well and the second priority is that the saddle size fits the rider and helps the ride maintain appropriate position to do her job. If the saddle does both of these things, then there is no reason to replace it. If you are showing in the saddle, of course, you will also want to make to make sure that it is in fairly good condition. You may want to ask your trainer to clarify the reason why she finds your saddle unsuitable. From your email, it sounds appropriate for the type of riding you do.
Regards,
Erin
Written Test Anxiety
I am 12 years old and in the mini medal classes. I was wondering if we take a written test what kind of questions do they ask us? Thank you.
- Jillian
Hi Jillian,
Thanks for writing in. If you are doing mini medal classes at local shows that are not sanctioned by USEF, then it is up to the show management to decide if they would like to give a written test. Most shows probably won’t give a written test, but the only way to know for sure is to ask show management or read the class description in the prize list. If you are showing is USEF rated mini medals, then it’s best to check the USEF Rulebook. The Rule Book lists tests that can be given by judges during a medal final. Test 8 states that judges may ask “Question(s) regarding basic horsemanship, tack and equipment and conformation.” This is a test that can be administered to riders under 14. So, it is possible that you may be asked verbal questions about riding and horsemanship. I have had judges ask me verbal questions at local shows during medal classes. It is always best to study things like parts of the horse and tack and to understand the basic principles of hunter seat riding (for example: what are the major natural and artificial rider aids). Even if you are never tested, it is a good idea for all young riders to become good horse people by studying these topics. You can probably find some medal final practice questions by searching online. Good Luck!
-Erin
Grab Straps Allowed?
Is a Beginner Hunter allowed to have a grab strap on their saddle? I go to schooling shows.
-Donna
Hi Donna,
Thanks for writing in. A grab strap (which attaches to the dee rings on either side of the pommel and can be held to help the rider balance) will probably be allowed at a schooling show. Schooling shows get to make their own rules, so to know for sure whether the strap is allowed or not, I would contact show management.
My only concern is why the grab strap is needed for a rider who plans to show. I have seen grab straps used for leadline riders, but typically riders off the lead don’t require a grab strap because they have learned a strong base of support though their leg which allows them to stay in place on the horse. There are probably some exceptions, for example, a physically challenged rider with poor muscle control might need a grab strap, but for the most part, I have never seen them used in a show environment for riders off the lead. Keep in mind that if your rider is allowed to use the grab strap, it might give the judge a poor first impression because the judge will wonder why it is needed. If the grab strap is only used occasionally when the horse bucks or behaves badly, then you might consider teaching the rider to grab mane instead. However, if the rider has not yet developed a good base of support, it might be a good idea to continue practicing at home before going to a show. Work without stirrups on a reliable horse is a great way to strengthen the leg.
Erin
