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Hunter Jumper and Show JumpingHunter Jumper Governing Bodies Hunter The Hunters are judged subjectively by one or more judges. In over fences classes, the judge looks for the length and rhythm of the horse's stride to stay the same, and for correct movement across the ground and form over the fences, all while making something athletic look beautiful and effortless. The fences are meant to resemble more natural looking obstacles and are typically made up of flower boxes, roll tops, walls, gates, and natural rails and standards. The fences are arranged in a course with singles, lines, and combinations, with both verticals and oxers (speads). Usually the classes are about eight fences long, though Classics are longer (about twelve fences), and Handy or Derby rounds ask for the horses to walk, trot, or gallop a fence, halt, rollback turn, or jump more solid natural obstacles than normal. If a horse breaks from the canter while on course, gets the wrong number of strides up a line of fences, misses a flying change to the correct canter lead or fails to hold the correct lead, rubs or knocks down a rail, or misses (takes off from the wrong place) it is penalized. Falls result in elimination. On the flat, the gaits of walk, trot, and canter are judged in each direction. If the horse does not have good movement, breaks to the wrong gait, canters on the incorrect lead, or is sour (looks unpleasant going around the ring) it is penalized. All of the horses in the flat class show together at the same time, so in a larger class the challenge of getting the judge to notice the horse is also presented. There are also sometimes conformation classes, in which the horse is judged on his build and soundness. Horses in Nationally recognized classes must pass a lameness jog after each class. 
At local horse shows, classes are for all ages, with fence heights ranging from cross rails to 4'. Nationally recognized divisions, however, are typically from 3' to 4', and are Junior, Amateur, or Professional (Open) Divisions. Each placing in a class and each championship in a division is worth a certain amount of points which goes toward qualifying for the Indoors Circuit, or other Hunter Finals. Ribbons and sometimes money are prizes for regular classes. In any Special Hunter Class, more prize money if offered and the riders who have ribboned are ask to victory gallop. Equitation Equitation is subjectively judged on the ability of a rider, and on the correctness of her position and the functions he or she must carry out. Like the Hunters, most of the Equitation classes are within divisions based on age, difficulty, and fence height, and have one or more over fences class in addition to a flat class. Medal classes, having an over fences round in addition to a flat phase or test, (not within any division) are also offered.  The Equitations are held over Hunter (see above) or Jumper (see below) courses. Over a Hunter course, the rider is judged on her ability to ride a Hunter; over a Jumper course, her ability to ride a Jumper. The difference between the actual Jumpers and the Equitations over Jumper courses is: speed does not come into play unless the time aloud is exceeded, in which case the time faults are deducted from the score; rails are not penalized unless it is the rider's error; and there is never a jump off. The way the round overfences is judged, in addition to considering the rider's position, is much the same as the Hunters, whether over a Hunter or Jumper course. Medals have an over fences, and a flat phase or test. In the test, the judge calls the top three or four riders back to jump a new course over the same obstacles as the first round. The judge will ask for many of the same things one would see in a Hunter Handy or Derby (see above, in addition to for example no stirrups, rein back, counter canter). The flat classes are much more complicated than those in the Hunters. The judges, for example, may ask for sitting trot, collected and lengthened gaits, lateral movements, counter canter, and hand gallop. These classes and divisions are for Juniors or Amateurs; there are none offered for Professionals. The details of the class are not determined by the horse whatsoever, as Equitation is judged strictly on the rider. As with the Hunters, the goal is to score as high as possible. Equitation divisions are Zone recognized divisions, and are based on age group, with fence heights ranging from 2' to 3'9". The top six or eight riders are awarded ribbons. Medals (from 3' to 3'9") that are Nationally recognized have a yearly final, sometimes at Indoors, and sometimes elsewhere. Riders who place at these Finals are awarded ribbons, and are invited to victory gallop. Jumper
Jumpers are judged over fences, never on the flat. Each division, like the Hunters, is made up of classes. A class can be one of several different scoring tables, some weighted more heavily on carefullness (the ability of the horse to leave the rails up), some weighted more heavily on speed, and some a combination of both. The courses are made up of brightly colored rails, standards, planks, gates, flower boxes, and walls. Fences can be verticals, oxers, or triple bars. Sometimes extra tests of bravery such as liverpools (meant to resemble a ditch or water jump) or open water are seen in higher level courses. Riders are allowed to walk the course and determine a specific plan before the class begins. Fence heights at locally recognized shows span from 3' to Grand Prix (approximately 5'). Nationally recognized divisions are from 3'6" to Grand Prix. Levels are used to guage difficulty, from Level 1 being the easiest to Level 9, National Standard, or International Standard being the most challenging. With the height and width of the jumps, so goes the technicality (difficulty) of the course. The higher the levels, the more difficult the course becomes with harder lines, combinations, and sequence of fences. Divisions and classes are for Juniors, Amateurs, and Professionals. Ribbons are always awarded, and larger sums of prize money are frequent. In Special Classes such as Stakes, Classics, and Grand Prixs, riders are invited to victory gallop. Show Jumping
Governing Bodies International Competition There are many Finals, including the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships, the Indoors Circuit, Olympics, World Cup, World Equestrian Championships, Pan American Games, and multiple Nation's Cup (team championships) throughout the year. Riders sometimes win large amounts of prize money, as well as ribbons and other prizes, and are asked to victory gallop.
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Hunter Jumper Horse Shows are held throughout the year all over the world. Within the discipline of Hunter Jumper, you will see three different styles of riding being Hunter, Jumper, and Equitation. The Championships for Hunter Jumper are held each fall on the east coast at a series of different horse shows known as the Indoors Circuit.
The Nationally or locally recognized Jumper classes seen at Hunter Jumper Horse Shows are nearly exactly the same as Internationally recognized Show Jumping (see below). Divisions and classes, like the Hunters, are based on age and experience of the horse, age and ability of the rider, and fence height. Jumpers are judged objectively on two things; the horse's ability to leave the rails up, and to do so as quickly as possible. Refusals are penalized as well, and falls result in elimination. The goal is to complete the course with as few faults (incurred by knocking down rails or going over the time allowed) as possible, as fast as possible. The winner is the horse with the fewest faults who completes the course in the shortest amount of time. 
Show Jumping is the Internationally recognized version of the Jumpers. It is one of the three Olympic Equestrian Sports.