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Hunter, as the name implies has its beginnings rooted firmly in the age old sport of fox hunting. No foxes are used during modern shows shows, rather the key characteristics of a 'good hunter' is used as basis for judging in the show ring. A 'good hunter' must be able to carry his rider safely across country in various types and degrees of ruggedness safely and comfortably. Since the hunt may be very long, it is desirable to have a horse that conserves energy. He should move with long low strides that cover the ground with a minimum of effort. The hunter must also be able to jump obstacles in the field, whether natural, or man-made with the same minimum of effort. They should be calm, agile, and clever, and should be able to cope with strange sights, sounds, and smells they encounter. All of these desired characteristics of a 'good hunter' have been carried over into the show ring. The shows are divided into classes of varying degrees of difficulty to challenge both the horse and rider. Based on manners and performance required in the hunting field, these classes place a premium on form over fences. Conformation counts in certain divisions, while only performance is assessed in Working classes.
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