eventhough our breedings are talented show jumpers and dressage horses it feels like the hunter world is where the high quality Teke has an opportunity to excell.

Here is the description of the ideal Show Hunter from wikipedia.com:

"The show hunter has long and low movement, meaning its strides are long and ground covering, and there is not much flexion of the horse's joints as it moves. The action of the field hunter is efficient: the horse does not waste energy bending its legs any more than it has to. This relates back to the hunt field, where the horse had to work for several hours on end, often galloping, and inefficient movement would tire the horse more quickly.

The show hunter moves smoothly and freely, pointing its toes as it floats over the ground. It should not have excessive knee action, nor should its strides be short and choppy, both of which would make its movement less efficient. The horse should be forward, so it could jump if needed, but no faster than necessary.

The horse must always be in a balanced frame. This, too, relates back to the hunt field, where a horse had to be balanced in order to cope with the changing terrain, sometimes sudden change of direction, and surprising fences. The frame of the show hunter differs from that of dressage horses, eventers, and show jumpers, as it travels in a long and low frame, with its head moderately extended. Its frame is more "stretched out" than horses competing in dressage, eventing, or show jumping, but the horse should not be on its forehand. The riders of show hunters often ride on a slightly looser rein than seen elsewhere to facilitate this type of movement, and the horse carries its head just in front of the vertical.

Although the horse is in a long and low frame, it should still be able to collect its stride when asked. The horse must also be proficient at lengthening its canter stride while still maintaining its tempo and rhythm.

The walk of the show hunter is free and ground-covering; the trot should be balanced and flowing. The canter should be moderately collected. The horse should have a long galloping stride (12 feet is the expected length), but it should still be balanced and rhythmic."

This description fits the Tekes so good and here the Tekes can really feel at home, the competition in the Hunter rings today come from Thoroughbred, Thoroughbred crosses and warmbloods that does not have the typical warmblood knee action. The successful Hunters are very well bred horses of high quality. It would be interesting to find out how many Tekes and Teke crosses that have been shown as Hunters over the years here in the US.

1. Jessica D.04/24/2007 20:55:13

This is why I can not wait to get a Teke of my own so I can show it in Hunters...I think they will excell in this show world with the right training. :) The Hunter world is my passion and I love it....it's looking like a few more years till I can take my Teke in the hunter circuit...but eventually I will get there...and Im looking forward to it.

Jessica - any idea when the Show will be in FL yet? I am still planning on trying to be there but my husband has to put in for the time off...so any tentative dates yet?? :)

2. Jessica04/25/2007 08:49:59

The more I learn about hunters the more I understand how suitable it is for the Tekes. Great that we have on more supporter, feel free to join the Darby Turks Hunter Club!
More about the show in the nearest few days.