How do hunter divisions work at a horse show?

Hunter divisions at horse shows are organized groupings of related classes that together evaluate a horse-and-rider combination across multiple opportunities and culminate in a champion and reserve champion award that represents the division's overall result. A typical hunter division includes two over-fences classes — both jumping courses at the designated fence height of the division — and one under-saddle class — a flat class evaluated at walk, trot, and canter without jumping. Some divisions also include additional classes such as a hack or additional over-fences classes depending on the show's program. The two over-fences classes allow the judge to see each horse twice over fences, giving a more complete picture of the horse's consistency than a single class would provide and allowing for the natural variation between rounds that all horses show. The under-saddle class evaluates the horse's movement and way of going on the flat specifically, providing a different assessment than the jumping classes and rewarding horses with exceptional movement quality even if their jumping style is less distinguished. Points earned in each class of the division are totaled to determine the division champion and reserve champion — the horse with the most points in the division earns the championship ribbon, and the horse with the second most earns the reserve. The specific point values awarded for each placing vary by show and by organization — USEF and USHJA have specific point formulas for recognized shows — but champion is always worth more than any individual class ribbon, making the overall division result more valuable than winning a single class while losing the championship. Large hunter shows may have many divisions running simultaneously, each with its own designated arena, time schedule, and judge.