The Difference Between Hunters and Jumpers

At first glance, the differences between hunters and jumpers seem pretty minor, almost indistinguishable to the untrained eye. But to experienced equestrians, the differences between hunters and jumpers are as obvious as the differences between dressage and cross country.

To help clear things up for new or confused riders (or if you’re tired of explaining the differences to your non-horsey friends), here’s a definitive guide on the differences between hunters and jumpers.

The Differences Between Hunters and Jumpers

Hunters and jumpers do have one key factor in common: jumping. In both disciplines, horses and riders are asked to successfully navigate a course of obstacles. But that’s about where the similarities end.

The key difference between hunters and jumpers is best summarized as subjectivity vs. objectivity.

Hunters are judged subjectively, by a human. Judges place horse and rider pairs based on rider ability, horse ability, and style.

Jumpers, however, are judged objectively, by a combination of time clock and faults. Riders need to finish within the time allowed, with faults added to the round’s score.

We’ll take a look at each discipline across 3 factors – how they’re judged, the types of obstacles encountered, horse and rider turnout, and whether or not it’s the discipline for you.

All About Hunters

Hunter classes, which may not necessarily be over fences, were developed to judge desirable qualities in field hunters (you know, with foxes and hounds). While the rider’s skill is important, hunter classes are all about the horse. The job of a rider in a hunter round is mostly to show off the horse.

Horses are expected to have a look of quality and athleticism, excellent manners, an economical but stylish “way of going” (how the horse moves), and a safe, graceful jumping style.

Hunter classes are typically more subdued than jumping rounds, with the focus being on perfect position, hitting distances, and looking good doing it. Aspects like horse conformation and turnout (both horse and rider) are also considered.

Riding a Hunter Course

Hunter courses typically consist of 8-12 obstacles. The course itself is basic, with simple diagonal and outside lines. The course is designed to show off the horse and rider, rather than testing them.

Jumps pay homage to the foxhunting origin of the sport and are designed to look like natural obstacles. They’re typically in muted, natural colors like green, brown, white, or plain wood, and may be adorned with branches, greenery, hay bales, harvest decorations, or flowers.

How Hunter Rounds are Scored

Hunter rounds are scored subjectively by a judge, but faults are penalized and detract from the overall score.

Here’s what those numbers mean-

A score in the 70’s is alright but mediocre. There was probably a fault or two in the round somewhere.

A score in the 80’s is average to good. A strong round, but not perfect.

A score in the 90’s is very good. A competitive, above-average round, and a serious contender for the big ribbons.

Hunter faults fall into one of two categories – major and minor.

Major hunter faults include a fall, refusal, running out on a fence, going off course, kicking, adding a stride, trotting to change canter leads, cantering on the wrong lead, and knocking down a fence.

Hunter fences are smaller and sturdier than jumper fences so a “hard rub”, when a horse hits a fence but does not knock it down, is also a major fault.

Minor hunter faults include cutting corners, taking off too far or too short (meaning the takeoff spot has been incorrectly judged and the horse needs to stretch or shorten his jump to make it over the fence), pace adjustments, lead changes at the incorrect time, or poor jumping form. Evidence of tension or bad attitude, like pinning ears or swishing tails, is also considered a minor fault.

Hunter Turnout

Hunter classes are heavily steeped in tradition and are decidedly conservative (and pretty strict) when it comes to turnout of both horse and rider.

Tack is brown leather and the bridle and saddle should be the same shade. Saddle pads should be clean, crisp white, and closely fitted to the outline of the saddle. Only regular cavesson nosebands and simple snaffle bits are allowed.

Breastplates and running martingales are not allowed, but a standing martingale is permissible. Boots and wraps are not allowed because they’re not traditional, visually distracting, and can hide poor lower leg conformation.

Hunter riders must wear a black helmet, black (usually leather) gloves, and black field boots. Breeches should be tan, with a crisp, usually white show shirt and dark hunt coat, typically navy. If you wear a belt, it should match the color of your tack.

Braiding for Hunter Classes

Horses must be braided for hunter shows.

The exact number of braids will depend on the size and shape of the horse’s neck, but expect to do anywhere from 30-40 small, tight, flat braids with thread or yarn to match the color of the mane (not elastics). The forelock should be finished in a French braid.

Braiding the tail is optional, but nothing puts the finishing touch on a hunter more than a beautifully braided tail. If you choose not to braid the tail (it is very time-consuming), pull or trim the hairs on the dock for a clean, neat look. But be aware that once you have trimmed the tail hair, you won’t be able to braid the tail until the hairs grow back.

Hunter Equitation

Hunter shows may also include equitation classes. These are unique in that it is the rider, not the horse, that’s being judged.

A good way to remember the difference between hunter and equitation is that in hunter classes, the rider shows off the horse. In equitation classes, the horse shows off the rider.

In equitation, the rider’s job is to “make it look easy”. Riders are judged on position, style, and quietness. Quietness doesn’t mean the way you talk to your horse (which you really, really shouldn’t do during a hunter round), but how quiet your hands, seat, and legs are. Fidgeting, readjusting, and excessive leg and rein aids will be heavily penalized in an equitation round.

Judges are looking for a smooth, effortless round from the rider.

But just because the horse isn’t being judged, doesn’t mean he doesn’t matter.

A horse with a clunky, uneven stride, huge “back cracking” jumps or an exaggerated bascule (the rounded arc shape a horse should make with its body when jumping) can be difficult to ride, and even harder to look good while riding.

Equitation horses can be shown in boots if necessary, and courses may be a bit more technical than a hunter course to test the rider’s decision-making and adaptability, including elements like trot jumps or rollbacks.

Many aspiring showjumpers start off in hunter equitation to gain a solid foundation before trying more challenging jumper courses. Since the horse is less important in equitation, it’s a great introduction that doesn’t require a fancy (read: expensive) horse, although higher-level horse/rider pairs may specialize in equitation.

Are Hunters Right For You?

Classic, stylish, artistic, graceful… if any of these words appeal to you, hunter may just be the right equine discipline for you. Alternatively, if you’re new to over-fences or are looking to develop a strong jumping foundation, hunters could be an ideal place to start.

If you’re blessed with a nice-looking horse with good conformation and good movement who carries himself well, you may just be sitting on a fine hunter prospect, as well.

All About Jumpers

Chances are, even your non-horsey friends know what showjumping is.

Of the two disciplines, it’s the only one that is an Olympic sport. International showjumping competitions are often broadcast on TV, and some top-notch showjumpers are almost household names. And with good reason – it’s a pretty exciting sport!

Unlike hunters, jumpers are judged objectively using a combination of time and faults.

Horse and rider pairs must clear the course within the time allowed, or risk being penalized for every second they run over. Jumping faults are added separately for knockdowns and refusals, and a fall or an error of course ends the round.

Riding a Jumper Course

Compared to a hunter course, showjumper jumps are higher, wider, and come down more easily. Distances are tougher, combinations are tighter, and courses are designed to test athleticism and trust, rather than show off style and skill.

Where a hunter course flows along simple diagonal and outside lines, a jumper course is built to ask questions. Expect rollbacks, tight turns, related distances that ride short or long on purpose, and combinations placed where a horse has little time to organize himself. The fences themselves are the visual opposite of hunter fences: bright colors, bold patterns, sponsor branding, planks, walls and water trays, all designed to catch a horse’s eye rather than blend into the background.

Riders walk the course beforehand to count strides and plan their track, and in a jump-off the track they choose matters as much as the jumping. Cutting inside a fence or landing on the correct lead to save a stride is often what separates first from fourth.

How Jumper Rounds are Scored

Jumper scoring is arithmetic, not opinion. There is no judge awarding a number out of 100, and style counts for nothing. A horse can jump awkwardly, drag his knees and look nothing like a hunter, and still win, provided the rails stay up and the clock is kind.

Knocking down a fence adds four faults. A first refusal also adds four faults, and a second refusal eliminates the pair. Going off course or a fall likewise ends the round. Separately from all of this, exceeding the time allowed adds time penalties, typically one for each second over.

A round completed within the time allowed and with no jumping faults is a clear round. When several pairs go clear, they usually return for a jump-off over a shortened course, where the fastest clear round wins. That is why jumper classes build the way they do: the early rounds decide who is still in contention, and the jump-off decides the winner on speed.

The practical upshot is that a jumper rider knows exactly where they stand the moment they cross the finish line. There is no waiting to see how a judge felt about the round.

Jumper Turnout

If hunter turnout is governed by tradition, jumper turnout is governed mostly by function. The horse is allowed to wear what helps him do the job.

Protective boots are permitted and nearly universal, with open-front boots at the front and protective boots behind. Wraps are allowed too. Saddle pads are usually square rather than shaped, and colored pads and matching ear bonnets are common, often in a rider’s or sponsor’s colors. Bit and noseband choice is far more open than in the hunter ring, so flash and figure-eight nosebands and a wide range of bits are normal sights. Running martingales are permitted.

Braiding is optional in the jumper ring and frequently skipped, which is a meaningful saving in time and money over a long show season.

Rider attire is less uniform than in the hunters, though it is not a free-for-all. Coloured coats are accepted, and at bigger shows the governing body or show itself sets out what counts as acceptable attire for each level of class, with the most formal requirements reserved for the biggest classes. Scarlet is traditionally reserved for riders who have represented their country. Because the rules vary between federations and between shows, it is always worth checking the prize list rather than assuming.

Are Jumpers Right For You?

Fast, bold, competitive, decisive… if those words appeal more than classic and graceful, the jumper ring is probably where you belong. It rewards quick thinking, nerve and accuracy under pressure, and it gives you an unambiguous result at the end of every round.

It also places far fewer demands on how your horse looks. A plain horse with an unfashionable head and an awkward jumping style can be enormously competitive if he is careful, scopey and brave. For a rider without the budget for a fancy hunter prospect, that is a genuine advantage, and it is one reason many riders move across to the jumper ring as the fences get bigger.

The flip side is that the sport is unforgiving of small errors. One rail, one second, and a good round becomes an also-ran.

Hunters vs. Jumpers at a Glance

Here’s a side-by-side summary of everything covered above.

Factor	Hunters	Jumpers
How it’s judged	Subjectively, by a judge, on style and way of going. Scored out of 100.	Objectively, on faults and the clock. Style is not scored.
Penalties	Major and minor faults detract from the judge’s score. A hard rub counts against you.	Four faults for a knockdown or first refusal, elimination on a second refusal, plus time penalties for running over.
The course	Typically 8-12 fences on simple diagonal and outside lines, designed to show the horse off.	Technical, with rollbacks, tight turns and demanding related distances, designed to test the pair.
The fences	Natural looking, muted colors, often dressed with greenery or flowers. Smaller and sturdier.	Bright and bold, including planks, walls and water. Higher, wider and quick to come down.
Horse tack	Brown leather, matching shades, fitted white pad. Cavesson noseband and snaffle bit only. No boots or wraps.	Function first. Boots and wraps standard, square and often colored pads, wide choice of bits and nosebands.
Martingales	Standing martingale permitted. No breastplates or running martingales.	Running martingales permitted.
Braiding	Required. Expect 30-40 braids, with the tail braided or pulled.	Optional and often skipped.
Rider attire	Strictly conservative: black helmet, gloves and field boots, tan breeches, white shirt, dark hunt coat.	More latitude, including colored coats, though bigger classes set their own requirements. Check the prize list.
Does the horse’s look matter?	Yes. Conformation, movement and jumping style are all part of the score.	No. Scope, care and bravery are what count.
Best suited to	Riders who value polish and tradition, and anyone building a foundation over fences.	Riders who want speed, problem solving and a clear-cut result.

Conclusion

Hunters and jumpers start from the same place, a horse and rider going round a course of fences, and end up in two very different sports. One is an exercise in making a hard thing look easy, judged by a person. The other is a test of nerve and accuracy, judged by rails and a clock.

Neither is a lesser version of the other, and plenty of riders do both. If you’re deciding where to start, the honest answer is to go and watch a class of each at your local show. Five minutes at the ringside will tell you more about which one suits you than any article can.