Show hack
Encyclopedia
The show hack is a type of ridden show horse
, exhibited to a standard first established in England
.
Affiliated showing and breeding of the show hacks in the United Kingdom
is overseen by the British Show Horse Association
.
In the USA and Canada, show hack is solely a form of competition open to various breeds and overseen by the USEF and Equine Canada (EC). The Canadian form of competition is more closely modeled on the British standard than that of the USA.
Australian show hacks are of any breed and are usually divided into height classes in the following categories: pony
, under , galloway
, and over . Other classes may include pony hack ridden by a child, lady’s hack, educated hack, sidesaddle
, pleasure and heavyweight hacks.
Hacks in any nation must be of elegant appearance, and show excellent self-carriage. In the UK, they are usually full or part-bred Thoroughbred
s. Anglo-Arabian
s are particularly successful in these classes. In the United States and Canada, in addition to horses of Thoroughbred and Arabian
breeding, Morgan
s, Ponies
, Warmblood
s and part-Warmblood horses also are seen, as North American competition favors a dressage
-like frame and way of going.
, but should show rein back alongside the usual requirements of halt
, walk, trot
and canter
.
In North American classes, the show hack is to show at extended, regular and collected versions of the walk, trot and canter, as well as performing a hand gallop, halt and the rein back. Particular emphasis is placed on gait
transitions and obedience. While fluid, smooth gaits are always desired, a more dressage
-like frame is favored. Some show hack classes for specific breeds, particularly those for the Arabian and Morgan, encourage some animated knee action, though in Canada, use of weighted shoes is prohibited.
In Canada, riders may be asked to dismount and remount their horses, and horses may have their saddles removed for conformation judging. Conformation scores may be used to break a tie.
Worldwide, manners are particularly important in the judging of hacks, and any animal behaving badly will be severely penalized in the judging.
s with coloured browbands. Quarter marks may be applied to the haunches of the horse, often in a chequerboard or triangular pattern. Riders should wear buff or canary breeches
, navy jackets, shirt and tie, long riding boots and a navy hat. Show canes
may be carried.
In the USA, the attire and turnout for Show Hacks are modeled on dressage
competition. While any type of correct hunt seat
tack and attire is legal, the preferred style (even before 6:00 pm when formal attire is generally worn) is that of formal Grand Prix Dressage: Black or navy shadbelly
, top hat
, white breeches, black boots, white gloves, dressage saddle
and double bridle
. Whips are permitted, spurs
are optional. Coloured browbands are not allowed, though dressage-style browbands with some ornamentation are acceptable. Kimblewick and Pelham bit
s are allowed in addition to traditional snaffle bits and double bridles. Horses are usually shown with a braided mane
and the tail is left unbraided or lightly pulled on the upper portion of the dock in a manner similar to dressage competition.
Canadian turnout rules are somewhat in-between the US and UK rules. Riders are to wear a black or dark jacket, white or tan breeches, and may wear any type of English riding hat, including a top hat, derby
. or hunt cap. Tweed jackets may be allowed at the option of show management. Whip
s are not allowed, spurs are optional. Bridles may be double, pelham, snaffle or Kimblewick. Browbands must be of leather and may have some ornamentation, but cannot be coloured, sequined, or solid white. The formal shadbelly is not seen in open competition as often as it is seen in the USA, other than in breed-specific competition. Horses may be braided.
Australian turnout rules are reasonably flexible, depending mainly on the location of the events with country shows being somewhat less formal. Hack turnout classes however have strict protocols regarding the complete turnout and appearance. The biggest equestrienne and hack competition of Australia is the Garryowen trophy which is held at the Royal Melbourne Show
. The competition is judged on mount, costume, saddlery, riding ability and general appearance of horsewomen.
, is not a true show hack class, but rather is a type of English pleasure
class where exhibitors in Hunt seat
tack and attire perform on the flat at a walk, trot, canter and hand gallop, and then jump two low fences. The desired horse in this competition is to resemble a show hunter
rather than a show hack.
Another variation on show hack is the Road Hack, a class seen in Canada and in Morgan horse breed competition. The rules are similar to Show Hack, but a greater emphasis is placed on the extended gaits.
Under Canadian rules, English pleasure
is a subdivision within the Hack division, whereas in the USA show hack is usually considered a subdivision of English pleasure.
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
, exhibited to a standard first established in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Affiliated showing and breeding of the show hacks in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
is overseen by the British Show Horse Association
British Show Horse Association
The British Show Horse Association is the governing body for the showing and registering of hacks, cobs and riding horses.-Aims and Objectives:...
.
In the USA and Canada, show hack is solely a form of competition open to various breeds and overseen by the USEF and Equine Canada (EC). The Canadian form of competition is more closely modeled on the British standard than that of the USA.
Conformation and breeding
Show hacks in the UK are divided into two height classes - small hacks are 148cms to 154 cms and large hacks are 154 cms to 160 cms. In Canada, there are also height divisions, at the discretion of show management. Ponies are defined as standing under , and horses may be divided into two or three sections; 14.2 h up to , and over 15.3 h, or 14.2h to , over 15.2h to , and over 16 h.Australian show hacks are of any breed and are usually divided into height classes in the following categories: pony
Pony
A pony is a small horse . Depending on context, a pony may be a horse that is under an approximate or exact height at the withers, or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament. There are many different breeds...
, under , galloway
Galloway (disambiguation)
-Places:* Galloway Hills, Scotland* Galloway, Michigan, USA, an unincorporated community* Galloway, Ohio, USA, an unincorporated community* Galloway, Texas, USA, an unincorporated community* Galloway, West Virginia, USA, an unincorporated community...
, and over . Other classes may include pony hack ridden by a child, lady’s hack, educated hack, sidesaddle
Sidesaddle
Sidesaddle riding is a form of Equestrianism that uses a type of saddle which allows a rider to sit aside rather than astride a horse, mule or pony. Sitting aside dates back to antiquity and developed in European countries in the Middle Ages as a way for women in skirts to ride a horse in a modest...
, pleasure and heavyweight hacks.
Hacks in any nation must be of elegant appearance, and show excellent self-carriage. In the UK, they are usually full or part-bred Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
s. Anglo-Arabian
Anglo-Arabian
The Anglo-Arabian or Anglo-Arab is a crossbred horse that now also has its own status as a horse breed. It is a Thoroughbred crossed with an Arabian. The cross can be made between a Thoroughbred stallion and an Arabian mare, or vice-versa...
s are particularly successful in these classes. In the United States and Canada, in addition to horses of Thoroughbred and Arabian
Arabian horse
The Arabian or Arab horse is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses...
breeding, Morgan
Morgan horse
The Morgan is one of the earliest horse breeds developed in the United States. Tracing back to the stallion Figure, later named Justin Morgan after his best-known owner, the breed excels in many disciplines, and is known for its versatility....
s, Ponies
Pony
A pony is a small horse . Depending on context, a pony may be a horse that is under an approximate or exact height at the withers, or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament. There are many different breeds...
, Warmblood
Warmblood
Warmbloods are a group of middle-weight horse types and breeds, primarily originating in Europe, registered with organizations that are characterized by open studbook policy, studbook selection, and the aim of breeding for equestrian sport...
s and part-Warmblood horses also are seen, as North American competition favors a dressage
Dressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
-like frame and way of going.
Manners and movement
Hacks in the UK must have straight movement and move with "pointed" toes. Individual shows do not need to show a gallopGallop
Gallop is an asymmetrical gait used at high speeds by quadrupedal organisms such as the gait seen in the horse.Gallop may also refer to:*Conductor gallop, wind-induced low frequency oscillation of overhead transmission lines...
, but should show rein back alongside the usual requirements of halt
Halt
Halt can refer to:* Train station § Halt, a small train station, usually unstaffed, with few facilities and normally is a request stop* A sign, meaning attention* "Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired" in behavioral addiction recovery...
, walk, trot
Trot
A trot is a type of symmetrical gait in animals.Trot may also refer to:*Trot , the specifics of trotting in horses*Trot , a genre of Korean pop music*Trot , a character from the Oz books of L...
and canter
Canter
The canter is a controlled, three-beat gait performed by a horse. It is a natural gait possessed by all horses, faster than most horses' trot but slower than the gallop, and is used by all riders. The speed of the canter varies between 16-27 km/h , depending on the length of the stride of the horse...
.
In North American classes, the show hack is to show at extended, regular and collected versions of the walk, trot and canter, as well as performing a hand gallop, halt and the rein back. Particular emphasis is placed on gait
Horse gait
Horse gaits are the various ways in which a horse can move, either naturally or as a result of specialized training by humans.-Classification:...
transitions and obedience. While fluid, smooth gaits are always desired, a more dressage
Dressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
-like frame is favored. Some show hack classes for specific breeds, particularly those for the Arabian and Morgan, encourage some animated knee action, though in Canada, use of weighted shoes is prohibited.
In Canada, riders may be asked to dismount and remount their horses, and horses may have their saddles removed for conformation judging. Conformation scores may be used to break a tie.
Worldwide, manners are particularly important in the judging of hacks, and any animal behaving badly will be severely penalized in the judging.
Turnout
Hacks in the UK are shown in lightweight bridleBridle
A bridle is a piece of equipment used to direct a horse. As defined in the Oxford English Dictionary, the "bridle" includes both the headstall that holds a bit that goes in the mouth of a horse, and the reins that are attached to the bit....
s with coloured browbands. Quarter marks may be applied to the haunches of the horse, often in a chequerboard or triangular pattern. Riders should wear buff or canary breeches
Breeches
Breeches are an item of clothing covering the body from the waist down, with separate coverings for each leg, usually stopping just below the knee, though in some cases reaching to the ankles...
, navy jackets, shirt and tie, long riding boots and a navy hat. Show canes
Whip
A whip is a tool traditionally used by humans to exert control over animals or other people, through pain compliance or fear of pain, although in some activities whips can be used without use of pain, such as an additional pressure aid in dressage...
may be carried.
In the USA, the attire and turnout for Show Hacks are modeled on dressage
Dressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
competition. While any type of correct hunt seat
Hunt seat
Hunt seat is terminology used in the United States and Canada to refer to a style of forward seat riding commonly found at American horse shows. Along with Dressage, it is one of the two classic forms of English riding. The Hunt seat is based on the tradition of fox hunting...
tack and attire is legal, the preferred style (even before 6:00 pm when formal attire is generally worn) is that of formal Grand Prix Dressage: Black or navy shadbelly
Shadbelly
A Shadbelly is a type of riding coat worn in certain situations by Fox hunting Members, dressage riders, eventers , and occasionally by other hunt seat riders. Shadbellies are also standard attire for the Show hack classes at certain breed shows in the United States and Canada...
, top hat
Top hat
A top hat, beaver hat, high hat silk hat, cylinder hat, chimney pot hat or stove pipe hat is a tall, flat-crowned, broad-brimmed hat, predominantly worn from the latter part of the 18th to the middle of the 20th century...
, white breeches, black boots, white gloves, dressage saddle
English saddle
English saddles are used to ride horses in English riding disciplines throughout the world. The discipline is not limited to England or English-speaking countries. This style of saddle is used in all of the Olympic and FEI equestrian disciplines, except for the newly-approved FEI events of...
and double bridle
Double bridle
A double bridle, also called a full bridle or Weymouth bridle, is a bridle that has two bits and four reins . One bit is the bradoon , is a modified snaffle bit that is smaller in diameter and has smaller bit rings than a traditional snaffle, and it is adjusted so that it sits above and behind the...
. Whips are permitted, spurs
Spurs
Spurs are tools worn on the heel of a boot, used when riding horses.Spurs can also refer to:* The Chancellor's Spurs, a traveling trophy awarded to the winner of the college football game between Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at Austin...
are optional. Coloured browbands are not allowed, though dressage-style browbands with some ornamentation are acceptable. Kimblewick and Pelham bit
Pelham bit
A pelham bit is a type of bit used when riding a horse. It has elements of both a curb bit and a snaffle bit. In this respect a pelham bit functions similar to a double bridle, and like a double bridle it normally has "double" reins: a set of curb reins and a set of snaffle reins. Because it has...
s are allowed in addition to traditional snaffle bits and double bridles. Horses are usually shown with a braided mane
Mane (horse)
The mane is the hair that grows from the top of the neck of a horse or other equine, reaching from the poll to the withers, and includes the forelock or foretop. It is thicker and coarser than the rest of the horse's coat, and naturally grows to roughly cover the neck...
and the tail is left unbraided or lightly pulled on the upper portion of the dock in a manner similar to dressage competition.
Canadian turnout rules are somewhat in-between the US and UK rules. Riders are to wear a black or dark jacket, white or tan breeches, and may wear any type of English riding hat, including a top hat, derby
Bowler hat
The bowler hat, also known as a coke hat, derby , billycock or bombin, is a hard felt hat with a rounded crown originally created in 1849 for the English soldier and politician Edward Coke, the younger brother of the 2nd Earl of Leicester...
. or hunt cap. Tweed jackets may be allowed at the option of show management. Whip
Whip
A whip is a tool traditionally used by humans to exert control over animals or other people, through pain compliance or fear of pain, although in some activities whips can be used without use of pain, such as an additional pressure aid in dressage...
s are not allowed, spurs are optional. Bridles may be double, pelham, snaffle or Kimblewick. Browbands must be of leather and may have some ornamentation, but cannot be coloured, sequined, or solid white. The formal shadbelly is not seen in open competition as often as it is seen in the USA, other than in breed-specific competition. Horses may be braided.
Australian turnout rules are reasonably flexible, depending mainly on the location of the events with country shows being somewhat less formal. Hack turnout classes however have strict protocols regarding the complete turnout and appearance. The biggest equestrienne and hack competition of Australia is the Garryowen trophy which is held at the Royal Melbourne Show
Royal Melbourne Show
The Royal Melbourne Show is an agricultural show held at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds every September. The Royal Show began in 1848. The focus of the show is the display of rural industry, including livestock and produce. There are associated competitions and awards...
. The competition is judged on mount, costume, saddlery, riding ability and general appearance of horsewomen.
Other North American "hack"-type classes
A related North American class, Hunter hackHunter hack
Hunter hack is a type of English pleasure class where exhibitors in Hunt seat tack and attire perform on the flat at a walk, trot, canter and hand gallop, and then jump two low fences...
, is not a true show hack class, but rather is a type of English pleasure
English Pleasure
English pleasure is generic term for a number of different English riding classes seen at horse shows in the United States, where the horse is ridden in either hunt seat or saddle seat tack....
class where exhibitors in Hunt seat
Hunt seat
Hunt seat is terminology used in the United States and Canada to refer to a style of forward seat riding commonly found at American horse shows. Along with Dressage, it is one of the two classic forms of English riding. The Hunt seat is based on the tradition of fox hunting...
tack and attire perform on the flat at a walk, trot, canter and hand gallop, and then jump two low fences. The desired horse in this competition is to resemble a show hunter
Show hunter
The show hunter is a type of show horse that is judged on its movement, manners, and way of going, particularly while jumping fences. The horses are shown in hunt seat style tack, and are often of Warmblood or Thoroughbred type, though a hunter-style pony is also seen in youth classes...
rather than a show hack.
Another variation on show hack is the Road Hack, a class seen in Canada and in Morgan horse breed competition. The rules are similar to Show Hack, but a greater emphasis is placed on the extended gaits.
Under Canadian rules, English pleasure
English Pleasure
English pleasure is generic term for a number of different English riding classes seen at horse shows in the United States, where the horse is ridden in either hunt seat or saddle seat tack....
is a subdivision within the Hack division, whereas in the USA show hack is usually considered a subdivision of English pleasure.
See also
- British Show Horse AssociationBritish Show Horse AssociationThe British Show Horse Association is the governing body for the showing and registering of hacks, cobs and riding horses.-Aims and Objectives:...
- United States Equestrian FederationUnited States Equestrian FederationThe United States Equestrian Federation is the national governing body for most equestrian sports in the United States. It began on January 20, 1917 as the Association of American Horse Shows, later changed in 1933 to the American Horse Shows Association...
- Horse showHorse showA Horse show is a judged exhibition of horses and ponies. Many different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines hold competitions worldwide, from local to the international levels. Most horse shows run from one to three days, sometimes longer for major, all-breed events or national and...
- Hack (horse)Hack (horse)Hack within the activity of equestrianism commonly refers to one of two things: as a verb, it describes the act of riding a horse for light exercise, and as a noun, it is a type of horse used for riding out at ordinary speeds over roads and trails...