Which category of horse shows primarily judges the horse's performance rather than the rider's?

In the context of horse shows, the category that primarily judges the horse's performance rather than the rider's is hunters. In hunter classes, the focus is on the horse's ability to jump fences in a smooth and rhythmic manner, as well as the overall style and movement of the horse. The judging criteria emphasize the quality of the horse’s jump, the way it carries itself, and how well it performs the course, which reflects on its training and innate abilities. This allows for an evaluation of the horse itself, independent of the nuances of the rider's handling or equitation skills.

In contrast, equitation classes place significant emphasis on the rider's technique and how well they present themselves and manage the horse. Show jumping, or jumpers, also incorporates rider skill as it includes timed rounds and can involve penalties for faults caused by both horse and rider. Dressage focuses on the precision and accuracy of the horse and rider together, evaluating their harmony and the communication between them.