Q. Do you know why there are so many bad-moving, western pleasure horses in a hunter ring?
A. I suspect the reason you’re seeing so many western-type horses in your shows is because the hunt seat events have become more and more popular with quarter-horse riders in the last couple of decades. I can understand why a good-moving quarter horse would pin high in a hunter under saddle class. They tend to be relaxed and quiet mounts, and that’s very important in undersaddle classes. However, it is a mystery to me why any horse with poor movement would pin in a hunter class. The hunters I’ve seen pin high tend to have long, correct, ground-covering strides; carry themselves in natural, relaxed frames; and respond promptly and quietly to their riders’ aids. Perhaps the quarter-horse influence has just become predominant in your area.