Show and working hunter horses are best described as horses with more substance than a show hack. They are judged on their type (bone, substance) manners and paces and are expected to be a well behaved, reliable and sturdy mount. Show hunter classes judge horses “on the flat” while working hunter classes require horses to be judged over fences and are popular with show jumpers, eventers and show riders alike. Working and show hunter classes draw their name and bloodlines from the hunting horses of the fox hunting and horse sports, traditionally developed out of early Europe.

The hunter is something of the Cinderella, or the low profiler, of the horse world where flashy and temperamental have more often taken the limelight. In horse circles, the hunter is moving up in the world – or coming out of the closet.

The AHHA was formed in May this year and will hold its inaugural 2009 national show at NELE, featuring the very first working hunter, show hunter and side-saddle national titles, incorporating a comprehensive open hack, rider and breed ring.

Association president and show secretary for the NELE show, Lisa Le Provost, says the hunters have had individual shows for the past 10 or 15 years but this national launch is the first unified move to increase the profile of the hunter horse and to set a national standard for judging and presentation.

The AHHA supports agricultural societies all over NSW, Vic, QLD, Tas and WA, however their particular focus has been to support those in regional areas. As such, it was a natural choice to choose the world class facilities at AELEC to hold their inaugural national show, not only because of the set up, but also because of its location in

Tamworth.

The hunter events will be held today, Saturday and Sunday with the supreme champion rider judged under lights on the Saturday evening program. There’s $10,000 in prizes and prize money to be won over the show program. Entries are being accepted for the national show up until and during the day of competition and any interested competitors, owners or breeders are encouraged to attend this event.

If you listen to some of the hunter owners, you know they’re as proud as their sensible and versatile steeds. Hunters, says Armidale rider and NELE competitor Allissia Dunn, shouldn’t misbehave and should be a horse with more in its repertoire than just going round and round in circles. She’ll have her successful hunter mount, Stanhope Just Imagine at AELEC again this weekend.