The show hack is a type of ridden show

horse The horse (''Equus ferus caballus'') is a domesticated, one-toed, hoofed mammal. It belongs to the taxonomic family Equidae and is one of two extant subspecies of ''Equus ferus''. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 mi ...

, exhibited to a standard first established in

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

. Affiliated showing and breeding of the show hacks in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

is overseen by the British Show Horse Association. In the US and Canada, show hack is solely a form of competition open to various breeds and overseen by the USEF and

Equine Canada Equestrian Canada (), formerly known as Equine Canada and commonly known by its acronym, EC, is Canada’s comprehensive national governing body for equestrian sport. It is the executive branch of Canada's Olympic and Paralympic equestrian teams ...

(EC). The Canadian form of competition is more closely modeled on the British standard than that of the US.

Conformation and breeding

Show hacks in the UK are divided into two height classes - small hacks are 148 to 154 cm and large hacks are 154 to 160 cm. 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 14.2 h 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 A pony is a type of small horse, usually measured under a specified height at maturity. Ponies often have thicker coats, manes and tails, compared to larger horses, and proportionally shorter legs, wider barrels, heavier , thicker necks and s ...

, under , Galloway, over 14 hands and under 15 hands, and Hacks over . Other classes may include pony hack ridden by a child, lady's Galloway or Hack, gent's Galloway or 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 The Thoroughbred is a list of horse breeds, horse breed developed for Thoroughbred racing, horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thorough ...

Anglo-Arabian The Anglo-Arabian, also known as the Anglo-Arab, is a horse breed that originated in France by cross-breeding a Thoroughbred with an Arabian. The Anglo-Arabian has origins tracing back to the Limousin Horse. It was officially recognized by Empe ...

s are particularly successful in these classes. In the United States and Canada, in addition to horses of Thoroughbred and

Arabian The Arabian Peninsula (, , or , , ) or Arabia, is a peninsula in West Asia, situated north-east of Africa on the Arabian plate. At , comparable in size to India, the Arabian Peninsula is the largest peninsula in the world. Geographically, the ...

breeding, Morgans,

Ponies A pony is a type of small horse, usually measured under a specified height at maturity. Ponies often have thicker coats, manes and tails, compared to larger horses, and proportionally shorter legs, wider barrels, heavier , thicker necks and s ...

Warmblood Warmbloods are a group of middle-weight horse types and breeds primarily originating in Europe and registered with organizations that are characterized by open studbook policy, studbook selection, and the aim of breeding for equestrian sp ...

s and part-Warmblood horses also are seen, as North American competition favors a

dressage Dressage ( or ; , most commonly translated as "training") is a form of horse riding performed in exhibition and competition, as well as an art sometimes pursued solely for the sake of mastery. As an equestrianism, equestrian sport defined by th ...

-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

gallop The canter and gallop are variations on the fastest gait that can be performed by a horse or other equine. The canter is a controlled three-beat gait, while the gallop is a faster, four-beat variation of the same gait. It is a natural gait po ...

, but should show rein back alongside the usual requirements of halt, walk,

trot The trot is a two-beat diagonal horse gait where the diagonal pairs of legs move forward at the same time with a moment of suspension between each beat. It has a wide variation in possible speeds, but averages about . A very slow trot is som ...

and

canter The canter and gallop are variations on the fastest gait that can be performed by a horse or other equine. The canter is a controlled three-beat gait, while the gallop is a faster, four-beat variation of the same gait. It is a natural gait pos ...

. Workouts in Australia are similar to the UK however, a horse is often asked to show lengthening in the trot and canter and simple or flying changes of lead at the 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 Gait is the pattern of Motion (physics), movement of the limb (anatomy), limbs of animals, including Gait (human), humans, during Animal locomotion, locomotion over a solid substrate. Most animals use a variety of gaits, selecting gait based on s ...

transitions and obedience. While fluid, smooth gaits are always desired, a more

-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

bridle A bridle is a piece of equipment used to direct a horse. As defined in the ''Oxford English Dictionary'', the "bridle" includes both the that holds a bit that goes in the mouth of a horse, and the reins that are attached to the bit. It prov ...

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 ( ) are an article 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. Formerly a standard item of Western men's ...

, navy jackets, shirt and tie, tall

riding boots A riding boot is a boot made to be used for horse riding. The classic boot comes high enough up the leg to prevent the leathers of the saddle from pinching the leg of the rider, has a sturdy toe to protect the rider's foot when on the ground and ...

and a navy hat. Show canes may be carried. In the US, the attire and turnout for Show Hacks are modeled on

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 A top hat (also called a high hat, or, informally, a topper) is a tall, flat-crowned hat traditionally associated with formal wear in Western dress codes, meaning white tie, morning dress, or frock coat. Traditionally made of black silk or ...

, white breeches, black boots, white gloves, dressage

saddle A saddle is a supportive structure for a rider of an animal, fastened to an animal's back by a girth. The most common type is equestrian. However, specialized saddles have been created for oxen, camels and other animals. It is not know ...

and double bridle. Whips are permitted,

spur A spur is a metal tool designed to be worn in pairs on the heels of riding boots for the purpose of directing a horse or other animal to move forward or laterally while riding. It is usually used to refine the riding aids (commands) and to ba ...

s are optional. Coloured browbands are not allowed, though dressage-style browbands with some ornamentation are acceptable. Kimblewick and Pelham bits 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 Derby ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area on the River Derwent, Derbyshire, River Derwent in Derbyshire, England. Derbyshire is named after Derby, which was its original co ...

. or hunt cap. Tweed jackets may be allowed at the option of show management.

Whip A whip is a blunt weapon or implement used in a striking motion to create sound or pain. Whips can be used for flagellation against humans or animals to exert control through pain compliance or fear of pain, or be used as an audible cue thro ...

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 US, 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.Garryowen Perpetual Trophy
Retrieved on 15 October

Other North American "hack"-type classes

A related North American class, '' Hunter hack,'' 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.

References

External links

British Show Horse AssociationQueensland, Australia judging guidelines Equine Hippique CanadaUnited States Equestrian Federation
{{Equestrian Sports Horse showing and exhibition Hunt seat