"Do you consider tack on a hunter? Do you weigh the fact that a horse goes with or without a martingale? Do you credit/penalize a horse showing in a snaffle bit versus a pelham?"
Trainers and riders use various bits, aids and tack in order to maximize their horse's way of going, jumping style and rideability. Given the range of equipment allowed, judges may penalize for non-conventional types of tack
Watch and listen to the answers from some of the top hunter judges in the country. They have presided over the highest level of hunter shows from the east to the west coast, such as Palm Beach, Capitol Challenge, Harrisburg, Washington, HITS, Toronto Royal Winter Fair, Devon and many others.  They will tell you what wins.