Working hunters are one of the most popular showing classes. With separate sections for horses and ponies, riders are required to jump a course of rustic fences. In horse ranks, a ride judge will then officiate the performance while pony contenders are required to perform an individual show. Conformation is also assessed before the marks for each section are added together to produce the final line-up.
Horses usually compete together or in seperate lightweight and heavyweight sections. Ponies are split into respective height sections, with different classes for 13hh, 14hh, 15hh and intermediate as well as nursery and cradle stakes ponies. There are also different rider age limits for each of the pony classes.
The biggest working hunter finals for both horses and ponies take place at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) and the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). Royal Windsor also attracts some of the best working hunter contenders of the season.
In 2019, the working hunter pony Cogo Bongo was the first working hunter pony to stand supreme at HOYS.
Follow Horse & Hound to hear the latest working hunter news as well as tricks and tips on how to win in these competitive classes.
Working hunters have been out in force over the last few months in a bid to qualify for the Royal International (RIHS) and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). Here’s a selection of those horses and riders bound for Hickstead or Birmingham in 2016
Young showing rider Lucy Eddis shares her thoughts on working hunter pony courses and why some are better than others
If you've been inspired by the Royal Windsor Horse Show, take a look at just a few of these working hunter types for sale on the Horse & Hound website this week
Horse & Hound's showing columnist raises the issue of heavy and tall riders and makes a plea to organisers to provide novice working hunter classes
From youngsters to schoolmasters, take a look at just a few of the working hunters for sale on the Horse & Hound website this week
Six qualifiers will be held at the Northern Ireland Festival next year
Have you been inspired by the Horse of the Year Show and quite fancy giving showing a go? Take a look at this selection of working hunter horses and ponies for sale this week
Find out what the 2015 mountain and moorland working hunter pony champion at HOYS had to say after her class
Find out which British showjumper claimed the prestigious Cuddy working hunter title on a borrowed horse.
Take a look at the working hunter course at HOYS today, which proved as testing as ever.
One unlucky working hunter pony competitor was ejected into the spectators' gallery during a parade of competitors
Horse & Hound caught up with the BSPS 153cm working hunter pony championship winner at Hickstead
He was crowned champion working hunter for the second time at Royal Windsor last year, and he is vying to defend his title in 2015. H&H finds out more about the prolific Harley Foxtrot
If you're thinking of tackling some working hunter classes this season, find out how to wow the judges
View every fence on the working hunter course and fnd out how influential they were
H&H’s showing columnist talks championship shows and HOYS
H&H's expert showing columnist discusses the marking system in working hunter pony classes and long waiting times for mark sheets
Have a look at the challenge course of jumps used for this class at this year's show
