Do you ever wonder what drives the hunter judge crazy? Just think about it. You are entering a horse show and present yourself in front of the hunter judge in a hunter jumper competition. Are you screaming out at the judge “LOOK AT ME”, or are you letting your abilities rise to the top and be noticed.

Take a look at these 3 ways you could be driving the hunter judge crazy and don’t even know it.

Your Turnout Looks Like a Visual Assault

Although you are ready for the show ring, your turnout has to be appropriate. This means no flapping straps and wisps of hair from the riders helmet to detract from the hunter round. Distracting turnout, or inappropriate attire is a sure fire way to get noticed for all the wrong reasons.

Your Horse Looks the Part But ‘Misses’ the Distance

This is disappointment for the judge. Great turn out is important, but your horse has to get to the jumps correctly. When you walk in the ring and look the part, great turnout and then you have to deliver on the product. Looking the part is only part of the equation. You have to deliver the goods as well. This mean you have to get to and jump the fences.

You or Your Horse has a Been There Done That Attitude

Boring <yawn> is not good. Horses which are bored with their job show it. They often have their ears at half mast and jump in a non-spectaular fashion. Hunter Judges want to see athletes, not machines. Rhythmic rounds with horses jumping out of stride are class winners. Horses which have been on too many hunter circuits look bored with their job and their jumping style shows it.

What do you see at hunter jumper shows which drives you crazy? Write a note to let us know.

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