The ClipMyHorse.TV Hunter Classic Season Kicks Off

The hunt is officially on. Saturday marks the beginning of an elite journey for top-tier hunter riders as we kick off the qualifying season for the prestigious $200,000 ClipMyHorse.TV Hunter Classic.

The road to the final starts with Saturday's $2,500 ClipMyHorse.TV Classic Qualifier, where horse-and-rider pairs will look to make an early statement and secure their ticket to one of the biggest paydays in the hunter discipline.

The Road to the Championship: Today's Kickoff

The energy on the showgrounds is palpable as the first qualifier gets underway. While the $2,500 purse for today’s class is a respectable prize, the real value lies in the qualifying spot. Riders are aiming for precision and elegance to ensure they aren't left scrambling for points later in the season. With only a handful of opportunities to make the cut, every jump counts toward that elusive season-finale invitation.

Understanding the Grand Finale Format

The final isn't just another horse show class; it is a showcase of the sport's highest standards. Designed to test consistency and style, the event follows a rigorous structure:

• The Course: A single round featuring a traditional hunter track of 8 to 12 fences.
• The Height: Fences are set at a demanding 3’6”, requiring scope and athletic ability.
• The Judging: To ensure maximum transparency and accuracy, the class is evaluated by three distinct panels. In a nod to modern spectatorship, this includes integrated live-stream scoring.
• The Score: Each panel provides a score from 0–100. These are then combined to determine the final total and crowning of the champion.

How to Secure a Spot in the Starting Gate

The path to the $200,000 final is narrow, with only 19 riders earning the right to compete. The qualification criteria are strictly performance-based:

• The Top 3: The top three finishers from each of the six qualifying events throughout the season earn a direct spot.
• The Defending Champion: Havens Schatt receives an automatic invitation as the 2025 winner.
• The "Trickle Down" Rule: To keep the competition fierce, if a rider who has already qualified finishes in the top three of a subsequent qualifier, the spot passes down to the next highest-placed, non-qualified rider.

Returning to Defend the Title

All eyes remain on last year's victors, Havens Schatt and Chaquisto Blue PS. Their masterclass performance in the 2025 final set a high bar for the industry, blending power with the effortless "hunter" look that the judges crave. As the automatic qualifier for this year, Schatt has the luxury of preparing her mount without the pressure of the qualifying circuit—but the rest of the field is hungry to take the mantle.

Photo by ESI Photography