I so often hear people tell me they don’t have a horse that can be competitive in the show ring. There are many classes that do not require the horse to be halter competitive, and the best example of such a class is SHOWMANSHIP . I hope these tips will prove that this class is one that everyone can compete in and do well--if they want to put forth the effort it takes.

SHOWMANSHIP TIPS

What makes a winning showmanship pattern? A good smile? A super fast pattern? An expensive halter or expensive outfit? Well, it is none of those things. The best way to win a showmanship class is with consistency and knowledge. Hopefully, the tips I am going to give you will encourage you to try this class.

THE HORSE

Before you ever enter the arena, make sure that your horse’s hooves are clean. They do not have to be blacked, but must be nicely trimmed and clean. Run a towel over your horse’s body to remove any dust, and make sure that the eyes and nose are clean. Make sure that your horse is trimmed to look his neatest. Halter should be neat and fit well.

THE EXHIBITOR

Your clothing should be clean, neat, and well-fitting. This does not mean expensive. Following the rulebook for proper attire, you will need hat, boots, and gloves. Long hair should be secured, and up out of the way.

Upon entering the ring, while walking past the judge along the rail, you need to make good, confident eye contact with the judge to show that you know what you are doing. Hands should be well bent and relaxed, the lead hand a bit above the hand holding the excess lead. Do not stare at the judge the whole time--I would say make eye contact with the judge about every 5 or 6 steps. Line up where the ringmaster has indicated, and get your horse set up while the remaining entries are coming into the arena. Make sure that your horse is straight and not leaning toward you, or you will not be straight when leading off.

Keep your eyes on the judge at all times now, and wait for judge to nod to start your pattern. Nod back and keep your eye contact with the judge. Keep your eyes on the judge--that will help you stay straight. Stop about one foot from the judge, but do not crowd the judge. If the judge has to move back for space, then you will probably be penalized.

Set your horse up quickly (set up should occur in about 5-6 seconds). When you are ready for inspection, step back and acknowledge the judge with a pleasant smile indicating that you are ready. As you are being inspected, you need to do the following in this order: A) look at the judge, B) check the horse’s feet, body, and head, C) look back at the judge. By doing these steps in this order, it tells the judge that you are showing the horse, not yourself.

Make sure you are watching the judge. Once the judge has dismissed you from inspection, you may then make your 180-degree pivot and finish your pattern. Some patterns have a 360-degree pivot either before your inspection or after your inspection. The process for the 360 is the same as the 180. When making your pivots, keep your head up and eyes ahead, and turn into your horse. You do not need to go fast, but need to be clean and consistent. It should not be a step-pause-step-pause, as that tells the judge that you are not secure in your pivots. Judges prefer that your horse work off body language, as opposed to being pushed into the pivot with your lead hand. Once you have closed your pivot, look back at the judge to make sure you are straight and you know where the judge is. You need to do this after every pivot that you make. Finish your pattern, go through the lineup, and do another 180, then come back into the lineup and reset your horse, and wait for the judge’s acknowledgment.

I hope these tips will encourage you to try the showmanship classes offered at your local shows, and show you that anyone and any horse can compete in this class. The horse is only a prop, and the exhibitor is being judged on how well he or she handles the task at hand.

SHOWMANSHIP SCORING

Patterns will be posted at least 2 hours ahead of your class. The three most common patterns that you will see are:

Pattern 1

Walk to the Judge in a straight line. Stop (about 1 foot from judge) and setup your horse (5-6 seconds). Upon acknowledgement from the judge, do a 180-degree pivot. Trot in a straight line past the line-up, stop, do a 180-degree pivot. Walk the horse forward to the exact spot in the line-up from where you started, and set your horse up

Pattern 2

Walk toward the Judge in a straight line, Stop half-way between the line-up and Judge, and do a 360-degree pivot and stop. All pivots are done to the right. Continue at a walk in a straight line toward the judge. Stop and set up your horse. Upon acknowledgment from the Judge, do a 180-degree pivot. Trot in a straight line past the line-up and stop. Do a 180 pivot. Walk the horse forward to the exact spot in the line-up where you were when you started, and set horse up.

Pattern 3

Walk in a straight line to the Judge, stop, and set up your horse (5-6 seconds). Upon acknowledgement from the Judge, do a 180-degree pivot. All pivots are done to the right. Trot in a straight line toward the line-up, stopping half-way between the Judge and the line-up, and do a 360-degree pivot and stop. Continue at a trot in a straight line, past the line-up, and stop. Do a 180-degree pivot, walk the horse forward to the exact spot in the line-up where you were when you started, and set horse up.

The horse should always be between you and the judge.

AMHA and AMHR Rules

AMHR and AMHA have similar requirements, except for the following. AMHR uses the half system, where the horse is always between you and the judge. AMHA uses the quarter system. This system breaks up the horse into four quadrants. The front right side of the horse is Quad 1, the front rear is Quad 2, the left rear is Quad 3, and the left front is Quad 4.

Both rulebooks have diagrams outlining the system they use for showmanship classes. Always review the appropriate system, depending on which association you show for.

As you can see, anyone and any horse can show in this class and be competitive. I look forward to seeing large showmanship classes this year. This is a great way to develop teamwork between you and your horse. Try it--you will like it, and what it does for you and your horse. You do not need an expensive horse, you do not need expensive clothes, you do not need an indoor arena, and you do not need an expensive halter--but you DO need to work at this consistently.

Arlene G. Foulk
Foulk’s Fantasy Farm and Training Center

Note: Arlene been involved with Miniatures for 20 years, and is a trainer and licensed judge with ASPC/AMHR. She was a judge in the AMHR National Shows of 2000 and 2006.