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Many spectators, and even some riders, find that the hunter ring lacks… excitement. It’s not fast like the jumpers. It doesn’t have a buzzer or a clock. It’s quiet—on purpose. But if you ask Nick Haness, one of the most successful hunter riders competing today, that perception is simply not true.
On episode 434 of The Plaidcast, Haness spoke with The Plaid Horse publisher, Piper Klemm, about the evolution of the hunter discipline, the athleticism required to win at the top level, and why the best hunter rounds are anything but dull.
A Decade of Evolution
The hunter ring has seen significant shifts over the last 10–15 years. The introduction of the International Hunter Derby, the restructuring of young horse divisions, and increased global interest have all changed the tone and stakes of the hunters.
“We went through a big shift… with these international hunter derbies being sort of a new thing and changing the names of all of the working hunter divisions,” Haness said. “There’s certainly a lot of new programs and incentives for young horses all the way through their green years and their derby years.”
That structure has helped bring more visibility—and more money—to the sport. According to Haness, the derby finals alone have now paid out more than $21 million in prize money.
An International Spotlight
Once considered a uniquely American endeavor, the hunter ring is no longer a domestic secret. The global market has caught on to what makes a great hunter, and that has changed the game for riders and buyers alike.
“It used to be great to be able to go to Europe and they didn’t know what a hunter was… but now they are onto us in Europe,” Haness noted. “The hunter sport has gone global.”
While that’s made importing horses more competitive (read: expensive), it’s also helped validate the discipline on the world stage. And as Haness emphasized, hunters aren’t just failed jumpers anymore.
“They are so athletic and so scopey and require so much intelligence and ability and elegance to win at the top level.”
A Class of Their Own
What truly separates hunters from other disciplines is the feel. A top hunter round might look effortless from the stands, but the rider is doing a thousand things in harmony to make it happen.
“Less manufacturing and more rewarding horses that go naturally well,” Haness said. “You can tell they like their job, and you can tell they jump well.”
He shared a moment when a top equitation trainer complimented him not on his score or his result, but on how soft his reins were and how natural the horse looked over every fence.
That, he said, was the greatest validation.
The Mental Game
Hunters also demand a different kind of mental focus. You’re not just trying to avoid a rail. You’re trying to deliver a round that looks smooth, relaxed, balanced, and brilliant. You’re riding for a score based on aesthetics and nuance.
Haness admitted that the expectations now are higher than ever, with riders needing to peak at multiple events throughout the year. From Derby Finals to night classes to major venues like Devon, top hunter riders are constantly under pressure to perform.
“It used to be you’d save yourself and build up to one big show a year… now there are spectaculars throughout the year,” he said.
So Why Do People Still Say It’s Boring?
Because they’re not watching closely enough.
The thrill of the hunter ring isn’t in the speed or the sound. It’s in the subtlety. It’s in seeing a horse lock onto a line, take a breath with the rider, and jump out of rhythm like poetry in motion. It’s in rewarding elegance, balance, and partnership instead of brute force or sheer guts.
And it’s in knowing just how hard it is to make all of that look easy.
A Final Word from Haness
“I’d like to see more rewarding of horses that go naturally well… and less of the mechanical riding and horses that look like they’re half asleep,” he said.
That sentiment captures what hunter fans love about the sport. The best rounds feel alive. Dynamic. Honest. They make it look simple, but they’re anything but.
Want to understand the hunter ring from a top rider’s perspective? Tune in to episode 434 of The Plaidcast, where Nick Haness talks about the evolution of the sport, his personal approach, and what makes a great round worth watching.
