2023 Field Hunter Championships

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Tailgate Competition

Saturday, October 21st, 2023 | Franktown, CO

The Field Hunter Championships is competition that provides a wonderful way to showcase your foxhunter, forward-thinking hunter, or eventer over natural-style fences, as well as demonstrate its manners and style when riding in a group. Horses are judged on quality, movement, jumping style, manners, and way of going, with pace and brilliance rewarded.  First, riders are invited to ride in a Mock Hunt, following a Field Master over a cross country course. Then the Handy Hunter round showcases the hunt horse's rideability and handiness in the field. Next, the Derby round is a longer course with more jumping options. Finally, a Pairs Jumping Round is offered, where riders pair up and jump simultaneously side-by-side over an inviting course of wide natural obstacles, and demonstrate synchronicity and harmony together.

Who can participate and what divisions/classes are offered?
The Rocky Mountain Field Hunter Championships is open to all – both hunt members and non-members alike. Riders can register in the Hilltopper Division (jumping optional) or Field Hunter Over Fences Division (jumps required, with jumps not to exceed 2’9”). Riders may enter more than one horse, but only one horse/rider combination can enter the Mock Hunt class of each division, and thus be eligible for division championship.

What is the judge looking for?
For field hunters, judges are looking for and rewarding handiness and boldness more than in a traditional hunter round. They want to see a horse that really enjoys his job, and is easy to ride in a hunt setting. If you’ve never been to a hunter derby, it’s quite different from a traditional hunter round. Horses are encouraged to really open their stride and gallop to the fences, similar to what they would do in a hunt field or on cross country.

What is the Grant Cup?
The Grant Cup is a perpetual trophy that is awarded to the Arapahoe Hunt member’s horse judged as the best field hunter in the competition, and honors our former Master W.W. Grant. The Grant Cup may be awarded only to an Arapahoe Hunt Regular Member in good standing, entered in either the Hilltoppers Division or the Field Hunter Over Fences Division. To qualify for this award, All Arapahoe Hunt members will be automatically considered for the Grant Cup if they enter both classes in their division.

How does the competition work and how do I enter?

• Division and Class Fees:

  • Hilltopper Division, Members Only $100 Riders may enter more than one horse, but only one horse/rider combination can enter the Mock Hunt class of each division, and thus be eligible for division championship.

    • Mock Hunt- Hunt members are invited to ride in a Mock Hunt class as a group – no hounds – behind a field master over a cross country terrain. Ground log will be optional for Hilltopper division.

    • Handy Hunter- This round showcases the hunt horse's rideability and handiness in the field. Competitors will ride over a shorter course, and may also be asked to dismount and remount from a log, unlatch a gate and close it on horseback, negotiate a water crossing, or trot over a fallen tree. Jumping optional.

  • Field Hunter Over Fences Division, Members Only $100 Riders may enter more than one horse, but only one horse/rider combination can enter the Mock Hunt class of each division, and thus be eligible for division championship.

    • Mock Hunt- Hunt members are invited to ride in a Mock Hunt class as a group – no hounds – behind a field master over a cross country course of easy inviting jumps. Jump height will not exceed 2’9”

    • Handy Hunter- This round showcases the hunt horse's rideability and handiness in the field. Handy Hunter competitors will ride over a shorter course, and may also be asked to dismount and remount from a log, unlatch a gate and close it on horseback, negotiate a water crossing, or trot over a fallen tree. Jumps not to exceed 2’9”

  • Grant Cup, Members Only, No Additional Fee Hunt Members need to participate in the Mock Hunt and Handy Hunter class in their respective divisions to be eligible for the Grant Cup.

  • Hunter Derby Class, Open to Non-Members $50 Competitors will ride as individually over a longer, inviting course with a variety of natural and show jumping obstacles.

  • Handy Hunter Class, Jumps Optional $50 This round showcases the hunt horse's rideability and handiness in the field. Competitors will ride over a shorter course, and may also be asked to dismount and remount from a log, unlatch a gate and close it on horseback, negotiate a water crossing, or trot over a fallen tree. Jumping optional.

  • Handy Hunter Class, Over Fences (jumps not to exceed 2’9”) $50 This round showcases the hunt horse's rideability and handiness in the field. Handy Hunter competitors will ride over a shorter course, and may also be asked to dismount and remount from a log, unlatch a gate and close it on horseback, negotiate a water crossing, or trot over a fallen tree. Jumps not to exceed 2’9”

  • Hunter Pairs Over Fences Class, Open to Non-Members $50 Pairs Jumpers will ride together side by side, over a short course of wide fences, demonstrating style, synchronicity, and harmony.

  • Appointments Class, Open to Non-Members $30 Open to all participants, both horse and rider must show in full traditional foxhunting appointments to be judged. Traditional foxhunting attire, tack and turn out of the horse.

  • Office Fee $25 All competitors are required to pay an office fee of $25.

  • Tailgate Competition No Fees It’s not all about the horses, we also love to have fun. Bring your best tailgate party and presentation. All tailgaters will be eligible for the Tailgate Master award. Award to be presented during the results ceremony and the winner takes home the tailgate prize basket.

  • Registration Scroll down to select your division, classes and office fee.

Awards: The event is judged according to the manners, style and suitability of foxhunting mounts as observed by multiple judges. After each horse’s hunting skills are demonstrated and the individual tasks completed, the judges will determine the winner of each class, and then the champion of the division (Hilltopper and Field Hunter Over Fences). If numbers warrant, classes may be split into hunt members and non-members, as well as adults/juniors.In addition to the Championships and Grant Cup awards, ribbons are awarded through 6th place in each class. The highest scoring non-hunt-member will also receive a free three-ride punch card to ride with the Hunt for the remainder of the 2023-2024 season.

Attire: Traditional formal foxhunting attire is encouraged, but not mandatory. As close as you have while being safe and comfortable with whatever the weather brings is perfectly fine. Protective vests are also welcome. All riders must wear a helmet and boot with a heel. Click here for more information on foxhunting attire.

Release of Liability All riders must sign a release form. Medical armbands or bracelets are also recommended.

Spectating: There is no cost to spectate, but donations to the Arapahoe Hunt are welcomed.

Weather policy: The event typically runs rain or shine. If weather requires postponement, the event will occur on at a later date to be determined.

Refund policy: In the event a rider must withdraw due to sickness or injury (horse or rider), or weather cancellation, refunds will be offered less the office fee.

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