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Hunter/Jumper: Style Versus Speed

Although they are often grouped together, hunting and jumping are two separate styles of English riding. Saddle up for a look at the differences between them.

Hunter: a horse trained to jump over a simple series of obstacles while maintaining proper form. Hunters are judged subjectively based on factors such as athleticism, obedience, and attractiveness. The term is derived from the style of the course, which is designed to mimic a natural hunting field.

Jumper: a horse trained to complete a more complex course as quickly as possible and without hitting any of the obstacles. Unlike hunters, jumpers are not judged on their form or appearance. Instead, judging is objective, with specific penalties for knocking down obstacles or failing to complete them in time.

Equitation: a hybrid between hunter and jumper competitions with an extra twist—judges scrutinize the human, not the horse. Riders compete on jumper-style courses but receive subjective scores for their form and horsemanship. Equitation is a particularly good discipline for junior riders, as it helps them learn proper positioning for future hunter and jumper competitions.

Suitability: how naturally capable a horse is at completing the course. It is one of the three factors by which a hunter is judged, along with conformation (the desirability of its physique) and manners (a willingness to obey commands and take off its horseshoes before entering the barn).