Competing in the Upperville Colt & Horse Show is not an easy task...for horse, rider, or owner.

The prestige associated with Upperville makes competing at this show a goal for many riders and undoubtedly the competitors you'll be watching are among the best in the nation in their respective divisions and disciplines. Many foreign riders participate as well, making this truly an international event.

In the show horse world, the different ways horses compete are denoted as disciplines. Many of the classes at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show are hunter classes and show hunters constitute one discipline. Showing hunters originated from fox hunting, a popular sport where horses are ridden cross-country to hounds. While fox hunters are often required to jump natural obstacles such as a farmer's fence, while galloping cross-country, show hunters are required to jump a course of fences in an arena or show ring. These jumps are fashioned after obstacles found in the country such as: brush jumps, gates, stone walls, posts, and rail fences, but in the show arena the dimensions of the obstacles are specified. The goal for show hunters is not merely to get to the other side of the jump but how they get to the other side of the jump is important. The way in which the fences are jumped has developed into a complete science.

The object for the rider is to negotiate all the obstacles, usually eight, in a flowing manner The best show hunters seem to do their job effortlessly and willingly, while the rider seems to just easily go along for the ride. And while the pair beautifully and magically seem to float around the course, actually the rider is constantly cueing the horse with subtle aids, telling the horse exactly where to go, how fast, and when to jump. All of the communicating going on between horse and rider is nearly invisible

The goal is to produce a trip or round that flows and is smooth, The rider must meet the jumps perfectly with his horse, a skill that takes years to develop to this level.

While the rider is quietly busy getting his hunter around the fences, the judge is assessing the horse's jumping style. The judging of hunters is subjective in a sense that scoring is not straightforward as it is for show jumpers. And, while there are definite penalties for mistakes, such as knocking down a fence, meeting the fence badly, or a horse misbehaving (bucking, spooking, etc.), the judge can weigh the subtle differences between good rounds more on his personal opinion of how each entry measures up to the standard.

Basically, the judge is looking for good jumping style, where the horse lifts up his front knees high and evenly, and follows through cleanly and smoothly with his back legs. Also an even hunting pace or rhythm is important, as is the way the horse moves or carries himself and the horse's manners. Good horses are not only beautiful to watch, tidy with their legs and flowing in an even rhythm, but good hunters look easy and willing. They jump around the course without protest. Once the judge has watched all the hunters jump the same course, he places them in order of preference and calls them back into the ring to receive their ribbons. The riders dismount and lead their horses in at the trot. This is known as The Jog and at this time if the judge notices a horse that appears to have a physical problem or lameness the judge may disqualify it from receiving a ribbon. Healthy horses that are cleared by the judge to receive their ribbons are said to have hunting soundness.

Some of the classes at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show are conformation classes. In these divisions, the horses are judged as the hunters above, but also their conformation or physical build and appearance is considered. The judge may rearrange the order of placing he picked based on the horses' jumping performance in light of the horses' conformation.

Another type of class offered as part of the hunter divisions is the under saddle class. In under saddle classes (known as the Hack), the hunters are not required to jump. They are shown in a group at the walk, trot and canter and are judged on their way of going and manners. The judge is looking for good movers that efficiently and prettily cover the ground, without protest, making for a smooth and pleasant ride.

Each hunter division (green, regular; conformation, ponies, junior and amateurs) has several jumping classes and one under saddle class. The horse in each division that collects the most points is awarded the division championship, a coveted honor The championship awards consistent, brilliant performances in all phases or classes in each division. The horse with the second highest point total in each division is awarded the reserve championship.