Junior Competition

Hunting - 10 finalists in each division will be chosen for the individual tests:
  • Riding Skills/Judgement - Safety, off the horse’s back at a gallop/going up hills; handles a refusal or sticky situation well. Knows what to do with staff coming through; can execute a walking reverse if necessary.
  • Suitability - Size and behavior of horse relative to size and ability of rider; not “over-mounted”
  • Etiquette/Manners - Not passing others; no talking; no tailgating
  • Gates - if asked to open a gate; efficiency of opening and closing gates; catch up to field quickly without disruption.
  • Hounds - Quiet while hounds are working; gives way to hounds; mount respects hounds.
  • Neat/Tidy - No braiding or formal “show” attire. Ratcatcher - well turned-out; mount appears well cared for.
 
Horn Blowing - judges listen for crisp clear notes - prepare to blow two calls - Going Home & Tally Ho.
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Whip Cracking - will be judged on efficient execution/use of the whip, with distinct loud "crack."
 
Hound Judging - judging a group of hounds based on good condition, confirmation and alertness
BASIC SKILLS
            Below is a list of basic skills important to have in your wheelhouse for foxhunting, and definitely worth            spending time practicing:
 
 Jumping & Non-Jumping Options for Final Individual Test
  • Walking over a log, pole, branch
  • Walking through water
  • Ride uphill and downhill
  • Creek/ditch/stream crossing
  • Open a gate
  • Walk safely through a gate
  • Close a gate
  • Drop a rail
  • Remove and lay a jacket over a rail
  • Walking reverse
  • Staff coming through - turn hind end off trail
  • Hand gallop
  • Hold hard
  • Proper distance between horses - ideally you should be able to see the hocks of the horse in front of you when looking between your horse’s ears
  • Pony another horse
  • Mount from the ground; log or rock or ditch
  • What speed for downhill travel?
  • Knowledge of hand signals
  • Tallyho/Holloa!
  • Dismount and lead your horse over a log, branch, pole, cross rail, or lead a hound
 
 Jumping Options for Final Individual Test (in addition to those above)
  • log
  • in and out
  • stone wall
  • hedge
  • coop
  • rails
  • Proper distance between your horse and the horse in front of you
  • Circle and go to the back of the field if your horse refuses
 
  **Sample Individual test**
  • Open/close a gate
  • Pony a horse
  • Accept a stirrup cup off of a tray, offered to them by a person on the ground
  • Put rain gear on and off
  • Drop the top rail off of a fence and trot/walk over the remaining pole. (The rail does not need to
  • be replaced, for the sake of time.)
  • The jumping division will jump additional fence(s)
  • The hilltopper division hold hard at a designated spot.
  • A fox may be hidden somewhere, and the rider will be expected to spot it & announce Tallyho
  • Dismount and lead a hound