Hunter Under Saddle Natural - No Rail is a class that was written for hobbyists and does not exist in the real world. It is for hobbyists that do not own arena fencing but still want to enter a English Hunter Under Saddle entry. There are no arena fences and most of all No Trail Obstacles in the class. Just envision a Hunter Under Saddle class but without the arena wall and you have the requirements to enter the class. Attire and tack may be somewhat more relaxed as well.

Horses are judged on their abilities to be a pleasure style mount. Entries should work with a smooth regular gait, a natural willing and responsive headset; not necessarily fully flexed at the poll depending upon breed, conformation and style. They should show a forward - going way of impulsion and conformation consistence with a smooth and sustainable ride such as a well-sloped shoulder, good pasterns, and a supple back with well-developed hind quarters. The demeanor of the horse (model) should be of happy and obedient participation in the class.

Some breeds have a distinct way of going that represent the huntseat standard for their breed. An example is the BHR Hunter, which is moving in a way that typifies the stock-type hunter but is not indictive of the movement of a sport-type huntseat pleasure mount. Huntseat Arabians tend to have slightly more action, although excessive action should be penalized. Entries that make reference to a breed association or particular national standard (AQHA, USFE etc) on the comment line saying that should get extra credit if the model is clearly performing to the standard.

(a) Hunters under saddle should be suitable to purpose. Hunters should move with long, low strides reaching forward with ease and smoothness, be able to lengthen stride and cover ground with relaxed, free-flowing movement, while exhibiting correct gaits that are of the proper cadence. The quality of the movement and the consistency of the gaits is a major consideration. Horses should be obedient, have a bright expression with alert ears, and should respond willingly to the rider with light leg and hand contact. Horses should be responsive and smooth in transition. When asked to extend the trot or hand gallop, they should move out with the same flowing motion. The poll should be level with, or slightly above, the withers to allow proper impulsion behind. The head position should be slightly in front of, or on, the vertical.

(b) This class will be judged on performance, condition and conformation. Maximum credit shall be given to the flowing, balanced, willing horse.

(c) Horses to be:
(1) shown under saddle, not to jump.
(2) shown at a walk, trot and canter. Horses should back easily and stand quietly.

You Score Hunter Under Saddle Gaits on the following basis:
Faults to be scored according to severity:
(1) Quick, short or vertical strides
(2) Being on the wrong lead
(3) Breaking gait
(4) Excessive speed at any gait
(5) Excessive slowness in any gait, loss of forward momentum
(6) Failure to take the appropriate gait when called for
(7) Head carried too high
(8) Head carried too low (such that poll is below the withers)
(9) Overflexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical
(10) Excessive nosing out
(11) Failure to maintain light contact with horse’s mouth
(12) Stumbling
(13) If a horse appears sullen, dull, lethargic, emaciated, drawn or overly tired
(14) Consistently showing too far off the rail

Faults which will be cause for disqualification, except in novice amateur or novice youth, which shall be faults scored according to severity:
(1) Head carried too low (such that poll is below the withers consistently)
(2) Overflexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical consistently

If You Use A Doll Rider:
Rider should have a workmanship appearance, seat and hands, light and supple. Hand should be over and in front of horse's withers, knuckles 30 degrees inside the vertical, hand slightly apart and making a straight line from the horse’s mouth to rider’s elbow. Method of holding reins is optional. All reins are to be picked up at the same time. Eyes should be up with shoulders back, toes slightly out and ankles flexed in. Heels should be down and calf or leg in contact with horse and slightly behind girth.

The rider should sit in a comfortable, balanced, and relaxed manner while maintaining an erect upper body with eyes up and looking forward.

The rider’s legs should have a slight bend and hang beneath the rider such that when viewed from a profile, a straight line (approximately) can be drawn through the rider’s ear, shoulder, hip and heel.

The irons should be placed under the balls of the feet and not under the toe or against the heel.

Toes should be turned only slightly out with ankles flexed in toward the horse.

The lower leg should be held such that light contact would be maintained with the horse.

Arms and hands should be held in a comfortable, relaxed manner with upper arms held in a straight line with the body. The elbow is bent such that the lower arm and hands are in a straight line to the bit.

Hands should be slightly over and in front of the withers with knuckles 30 degrees inside the vertical.

Position in Motion;
At the walk and slow trot, body should be vertical with slight motion in the saddle.

At a posting trot, the body should be inclined forward with slight elevation in the saddle.

At the canter, the body should be halfway between the posting trot and the walk.

At the gallop, and while jumping, the body should be at a similar inclination as when at a posting trot.

For additional helpful hints for Hunter Under Saddle read: IMEHA - The Double or Full Bridle

	Photo Credit: Hunter Under Saddle Natural - No Rail Fence Stock Breed Entry Adrenna Lynn, shown as a black overo Paint mare, is a Smokin HotChic by Sherry Clayton. Owned and shown by Andrea Robbins. .
Photo Credit: Hunter Under Saddle Natural - No Rail Fence Arabian Breed Entry Aer Silver Sultani, shown as a gray Arabian gelding, is Keeling's Sabir resin painted by Faye Cohen. Owned and shown by Andrea Robbins.
	Photo Credit: Hunter Under Saddle Natural - No Rail Fence TB/WB or Sporthorse Breed Entry Tonto Bar Sioux shown as a Tobiano Sporthorse Gelding and is a CM PS Thoroughbred. Shown by Veronica Geddie with the comment line: Sioux walks entergetically across an open field.
Photo Credit: Hunter Under Saddle Natural - No Rail Fence Other Breed Entry RC Wind Vetter shown as a Dapple Chestnut with Flaxen Main and Tail, New Forrest Pony Mare and is a Shebly Resin by Sheri Rhodes. Shown by Xaviara Augenblick with the comment line: Out for a hack on the trail with a friend. .

Doll Rider Correct Seat and Hold the Reins Correctly:

	Photo Credit: Correct Hunter Under Saddle Hunt Seat.
Photo Credit: The reins are held between the ring fingers and pinkies with the thumbs solidly on top as they exit the hands. The grip is firm. Close the fingers for optimum communication and safety. Hold the hands just above the horse's withers, in front of the saddle. Tip the thumbs toward each other at a 45-degree angle. Bend the elbows just enough to create a straight line through the forearms, hands, and reins to the horse's mouth.
	Photo Credit: Snaffle Reins
	Photo Credit: Double Bridle Reins - 2 and 2 Method. Most common handle hold in model horse hobby. It is advised that you put in your comment line what hold your set up is so that judge's know you understand the three styles on holding the reins.
	Photo Credit: Double Bridle Reins - 3 in 1 Method. A true challenge for model horse hobbyists and doll rider's with razor cut slips in the fingers of the hands. Left side curb goes directly back to hand and enters under ring finger with the left snaffle rein coming directly back and entering under the pinky finger with rein crossing over the curb rein. Right side curb rein goes directly back and enters under the middle finger of the left hand with all three reins coming up thru hand and out over the of the index finger with bight cascading down the right side. The right side snaffle goes directly and enters the hand under the ring finger, up into the hand and out over the top of the index finger with the bight draping down the right side. The look gives an 'X' to reins the left side of horse's neck but a two independant rein look to the right side but only one rein going into the right hand. Very tricky set up.
	Photo Credit: Double Bridle Reins - Fillis Method. The Fillis method of holding the reins is when the curb reins enter the rider’s hand from the bottom, around the little fingers and up to the second joint of the index fingers while the snaffle enters the fist from above over the index fingers. Each hand holds two reins.