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About Hack Classes

Hacks were the horses that used to be ridden round London parks or where you wanted to be seen. They should be the best-mannered horses in the showing world. They are primarily thoroughbreds, graceful, of slim build and elegant, with extravagant and eye-catching movement. Hack classes are divided into small (up to 15hh) and large (up to 15.3hh).

The most important thing for a hack is manners and schooling. They don't gallop in the ring, and should at all times go smoothly, calmly and obediently with no fighting the rider. Disobedience or misbehaviour is severely punished in the hack class.

They are lighter than Riding Horses or Hunters.

The British Show Horse Association runs qualifiers for Hacks for the Horse of the Year Show and Royal International Horse Show.

For amateur owners, the SEIB Search for a Star championship has the final at the Horse of the Year Show.

Tack and Turnout for Hack Classes

RIDDEN

Horse

• • Manes are plaited, tails pulled.

  • Heels trimmed.

  • Double bridle or pelham in open classes, snaffle in novice classes. If a rugby pelham is used, a sliphead for the snaffle ring finishes the picture nicely.

  • Brown tack is preferred.

  • Coloured browbands.

  • Numnahs should ideally not be worn, but discreet and matching the saddle if they are.

  • A straight cut saddle will show off the horse's shoulders and movement, and so is better than a GP. Use a leather girth, or white is acceptable if the horse is grey.

  • Quartermarkers are correct.

Rider

• • Shirt and tie.

  • Cream, beige or yellow jodhpurs or breeches (not white), long boots.

  • Bowler hat for men, bowler or hunting cap for women. Shows have their own regulations about safety hats, so check before entering. While hunting caps and beaglers are traditional, you should always think of your safety and not be put off wearing a safety hat if you want to - these are conventions, not hard and fast rules, and you should make your own decisions about your safety when riding.

  • Tweed jacket for men, tweed, black or blue for women. Look at different colour tweed jackets here.

  • Spurs are compulsory for adults, but dummy spurs are fine.

  • Leather or string gloves. Any colour, but subtle. Normally black, brown or beige.

  • Plain leather or malacca cane to be carried.

Hacks can also be entered in Ladies' Sidesaddle classes. Dress for Ladies' Sidesaddle classes is a navy habit.

INHAND

Horse

• • Inhand bridle with no bit for youngstock, ridden bridle

  • for adults. Normally a pelham or double.

  • Plaited mane, pulled tail (even for foals - although foal tails are trimmed at the sides instead of pulled) and trimmed heels.

Handler

• • Trousers are better than jodhpurs or breeches. Black or dark if your horse has light legs, and beige or light if your horse has dark legs. This means the judge can see the horse's legs move without getting them mixed up with yours.

  • Shirt and tie - as ridden class.

  • Waistcoat or tweed jacket.

  • Hat. Can be 'cowboy hat' type, or riding hat. A velvet hat without straps looks neat and tidy, but of course offers less protection than a normal riding hat, which must be done up if worn. You should never be penalised for putting safety first and wearing a proper hat.

  • Hair as for a ridden class - neat and tidy. No hairnet if you are wearing a cowboy hat, but tied back out of the way.

  • Jod boots or discreet trainers of a similar colour to the trousers. You need to be able to run in them!

  • Gloves as for ridden classes.

  • Show cane as for ridden classes.

Useful links

• The British Show Horse Association