SUCCESS Y
After young hunters are shown in hand, the system can easily lose track of these horses.
oung, hunter prospects showing in hand—or “on the line”—are a lot like pre- schoolers: they are just beginning to learn the ropes. They range from yearlings to three-year-olds and are shown at hunter breeding classes at many prestigious
shows, including Pennsylvania’s Devon Horse Show, the Kentucky National Horse Show and the Colorado Horse Park summer series, to name a few. When looking at the winning hunters on the line throughout the past twenty years, only a
few familiar names pop up as later performance hunter successes. It begs the question that if the horses winning the performance hunters aren’t the same ones that won on the line when they were younger…what’s amiss? Talking with top judges, breeders and trainers, it becomes clear that this is an onion of a question, layered with complexities both subtle and glaringly obvious.
“Pretty is as Pretty Does” The critics of the industry point to the breeding division as a parade of overfed fat horses that can be lame and still win a class. Brandon Gibson of Tennessee, a leading handler who has brought along multiple on the line winners, knows these issues well but also believes in the inherent value of giving a young horse a solid foundation by showing on the line. “I personally don’t see these cons in my program, but some people have expressed aggravation that the young horses are being overfed and kept ‘hog fat’ and over-lunged to keep quiet or for fitness. They have also expressed concern about the dangers when hauling young horses around,” he says. For Brandon, a solid program that focuses on maintaining the right nutrition and fitness without turning to lunging is a key factor in bringing youngsters along the right way. With the right program, he says, the valuable experience a young horse gains from showing on the line is a great asset. Julie Winkel from Nevada, USEF “R” judge in hunter
Judges Julie Winkel and Sue Ashe together at the Sallie B. Wheeler show in Warrenton, Virginia.
breeding, hears the same sentiments and agrees that improperly preparing a horse for breeding classes can be detrimental long-term. “Fat youngsters that are isolated from other horses—it’s not only bad for their bones and joints as they mature, it also restricts their social skills,” she states. Warmbloods in particular can be at a disadvantage due
to their slower growing bodies. As trainer and judge Ken Krome from Maryland puts it, “Warmbloods have a little bit of a hurdle to overcome. As they’re growing and getting put together, their bodies are changing and don’t always match.”
Nutrition and training programs that focus on the future of the horse help ensure these
young superstars can stay at the top of their game for years to come. A pretty picture is never easy to create, but when things are done the correct way it can become a timeless masterpiece.
Eye on the Prize With hunters, there is always a subjective component, making the standard of judging crucial. Both Julie and Laura Sweeney (who also holds her “R” card in hunter breeding) reiterate that
(and
later in the ring?)
By Katie Shoultz Warmbloods Today 39
ON THE LINET
Courtesy Julie Winkel
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