Conference noted::equitation

    A person from our barn shows in the AQHA hunter hack classes
    occasionally.  I believe the rules stipulate that the fences be
    placed 48 apart and 2'6" or 2'9" high (can't remember which).
    
    Each class I saw allowed a schooling attempt at the beginning of
    the class before the class officially started.
    
    Which means, if you do these technically correctly, you do the line
    in 3 strides (which means really moving to get the 12 foot striding).
    
    In the classes I have watched, most people circle once and proceed
    at the canter (else you can't make the distances).  I did see horses
    place that took 4 strides, but they jumped easily and correctly
    and glided through the line.  
    
    I would check the rule book regarding the back at then end.  If you
    still have questions, ask the judge. 

    I have experienced many Hunter Hack classes and I would say that the
    majority of the classes have two fences between 2'3 - 2'6 usually no
    higher (the fences are not to see how high your horse can jump nor
    how fast he can)  The fences are usually three or four strides apart
    (if in the center of the ring three strides, if on the long side like
    a line in a Hunter class four strides.) 
    The judge usually gives specific directions on how he or she wants
    the class run, for example jump the two fences and halt or 
    halt and back or canter away from the fences down the long side
    and halt.  If no specific instructions are given I would circle at the
    trot, pick up the canter and make a straight forward approach to the
    fences, once on the other side canter straight ahead and halt.
    Always watch the other riders to see how the line rides, a forward 
    three or a tight four ect., depending on your horses stride.  Your horse
    should quietly and smoothly jump the fences.  Hope this info helps.  
 
                                     Good Luck,
                                             Wendy

    
    GREAT ..  thanks for all the replies. i think the later is what
    i was looking for. next time i will open my big mouth and ask
    questions.
              thanks again.
    	wendy
    

    The judge, at one of the schooling shows I was in, basically was
    looking at 2 things, the calmness of the horse at the approach
    and through the 2 fences, plus the takeoff at the jump.
    The takeoff, or placement of the takeoff, was important because
    you don't want to take off too far from the jump and have to horse
    stretch to make it over, but you don't want to cut in and have your
    horse just pop over it. 
    Consistency is really the key, and whether you take 3 to 4 strides
    doesn't matter if it's due to the size of the horse (I have a 15
    hand horse and he doesn't have a long stride) and not because you
    chipped in at the jump.
    			Cindy
    

    
    From my experiences if the judge requests a back after the fence
    line if you forget to add it, the judge will penalize you for it.
    In classes I have been in and sent riders into, when in doubt if
    no instructions given at the beginning, add it. 
    
    As far as the fences go I agree with the other responses. You should
    approach the line at a canter. They won't penalize you for speed
    if the fences are taken correctly. They will penalize you for refusals
    however.
    
    -Marianne-
    

    RE .5
    I think speed does play a part in the judge's decision. A hunter's
    pace is one that is not fast - a medium pace. I would think, plus
    I've been told, that going too fast would be a detriment since 
    galloping (fast canter even) to a jump can be an unsafe situation
    (I know that for a fact since it took a year to stop my horse from
    jumping at a dead gallop) plus it doesn't look like the horse is
    relaxed, taking things (jumps) in stride.
    				Cindy
    

    A single courtesy circle before the first jump is normal.  This
    circle is normally ridden starting with about 1/4 of it trot and
    then a canter at the same pace which the line will be ridden in.
    The pace should be forward, but not a gallop - and definitely not
    a trot unless requested by the judge.  The number of strides is
    not important unless two horses jump equally well.  In this case,
    the horse with the correct number of 12 foot strides will win.
    Hunter Hacks are not expected to jump big fences but they should
    jump smoothly and be centered over both jumps.   Horses which go
    too slow tend to pop the jumps, and horses which go too fast tend
    to hang front legs.  Neither is very pretty.  You need to find an
    experienced gound person to help establish the most attractive
    pace - once you get past the refusal problems, that is. And the
    size of the horse has nothing to do with this pace, I have a 
    14.2 hand mare who does 12 foot lines (and longer) quite handily.
    
    Rail work normally consists of walk trot, canter, and hand gallop
    in both directions.  Usually backing is asked for- either on the
    rail or when you line up.  In a hunter class of any type, the
    canters are the most heavily weighted gaits. After all this is
    the gait you use when hunting/jumping.
    
    Maureen