Harford Horse Shows Association, Inc.
presents the 

HHSA Merit Hunter Classic

Sunday, October 8, 2023

608 N. Tollgate Road, Bel Air, MD 21014
secretaryhhsa@gmail.com    |   (443) 947-0813

Pre-entries ONLY will be accepted. No entries will be accepted the day of.


ENTRIES HAVE NOW CLOSED


Checks can be made out to HHSA. Payment must be via check or cash.

GENERAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS 

Entry Fee: $50.00 per entry

Pre-entry is required by the posted deadline.
No entries will be accepted post deadline or the day-of. No exceptions.

The HHSA Merit Hunter Classic will be held following the conclusion of all annual HHSA Merit Equitation Medal Finals divisions in the Pavilion Ring of the Bel Air Equestrian Center. HHSA Merit Equitation Medal Finals exhibitors are also eligible to exhibit in the HHSA Merit Hunter Classic.


The HHSA Merit Hunter Classic is open to all Junior and Amateur riders who have competed in the HHSA Merited divisions, Short Stirrup Equitation and Long Stirrup Equitation, during the 2023 show season. Proper show attired required. Formal attire highly encouraged.

The HHSA Merit Hunter Classic is open to all horses and ponies. Ponies must present a measurement card or have one already on file with HHSA.

HHSA Merit Hunter Classic participants may not compete in both the HHSA Merit Hunter Classic and Open Hunter Derbies.


At the conclusion of the HHSA Merit Equitation Medal Finals, the ring will be open for 30 minutes hacking only for HHSA Merit Hunter Classic exhibitors. No schooling over fences will be permitted - jumping any of the jumps will result in immediate elimination from the Merit Hunter Classic. Horse/pony may only be hacked in the ring by its exhibitor. There will not be a course walk prior to the Merit Hunter Classic. 

The ring will be open to all HHSA Merit Equitation Medal Final exhibitors and Merit Hunter Classic exhibitors in the until 6:20am for all course walks. There will also be an open 15 minute course walk offered at the conclusion of the HHSA Long Stirrup Equitation Medal Final.

The HHSA Merit Hunter Classic will begin promptly at the conclusion of the 30 minute schooling break. There will be a posted order of go for each division. 
JUMP HEIGHT OFFERED

HHSA Merit Hunter Classic
18"

 


JUDGING


Round 1 : Classic Hunter Course

To be shown over a classic hunter course as posted, consisting of at least 8 fences. A numerical score out of 100 will be given by the judge. To be judged on quality, movement, jumping style, manners, and way of going. Pace and brilliance are to be rewarded.


Round 2 : Handy Hunter Course

A minimum of ten (10) exhibitors with the highest scores in the first jump round will be invited back for a second handy round to be shown over a course as posted.


The scores from the 1st and 2nd Rounds of the top 10 finalists will then be combined to determine overall placings of 1st through 8th. In case of a tie in overall placings, the higher score of the 2nd Round will be used as a tiebreaker.



Round 1 Hunter Classic Course – To be shown over a classic hunter course consisting of at
least 8 fences. No handy option fences are to be jumped in this round. A numerical score will
be given by the judge. To be judged on quality, movement, jumping style, manners, and
way of going. Pace and brilliance are to be rewarded.
Round 2 Handy Hunter Course – To be shown over a handy hunter course consisting of at
least 8 fences. The course will include a minimum of two (2) handy option fences. The top
12 from Round 1 will return in reverse order for Round 2. In addition to the base numerical
score, the judge will award each horse/rider combination with one bonus point for every
high option fence jumped without major fault as well as a handy bonus score for the round,
between zero (0) and ten (10) points.
Scores from Round 1 and Round 2 for the Top 12 horse/rider combinations will be
combined to determine overall placings of 1 st through 10 th . In the case of a tie in the overall
placings, the higher Round 2 score will be used to break any ties.
Round 1 Hunter Classic Course – To be shown over a classic hunter course consisting of at
least 8 fences. No handy option fences are to be jumped in this round. A numerical score will
be given by the judge. To be judged on quality, movement, jumping style, manners, and
way of going. Pace and brilliance are to be rewarded.
Round 2 Handy Hunter Course – To be shown over a handy hunter course consisting of at
least 8 fences. The course will include a minimum of two (2) handy option fences. The top
12 from Round 1 will return in reverse order for Round 2. In addition to the base numerical
score, the judge will award each horse/rider combination with one bonus point for every
high option fence jumped without major fault as well as a handy bonus score for the round,
between zero (0) and ten (10) points.
Scores from Round 1 and Round 2 for the Top 12 horse/rider combinations will be
combined to determine overall placings of 1 st through 10 th . In the case of a tie in the overall
placings, the higher Round 2 score will be used to break any ties.