Tips for Showmanship

ALWAYS watch the judge

ALWAYS be in position

NEVER touch the horse

Halter Position

Three links of the chain should be outside of the halter (email Kylee Smith if help is needed)

Switching Sides of horse

3-4 steps forward not sideways

Drop chain down under their chin

Always 1/4 with the judge (1/2 for halter)

Standing position

Point belt buckle and toes at the horse’s shoulder

Body even with horse’s ear

Leading position

Push arms forward - Carry a pizza box, like a pizza delivery man

Look up and out when leading

Jog when their supposed to trot

Use vocal cues too: “walk” “trot” “whoa/ho” clucking/ clicking, kissing works for pivots

Move with confidence

Push your nose in the air slightly

Shoulders back

Elbows tucked to side, NO CHICKEN WINGS

Backing

5 steps anytime is says to back

Walk into the horse to try and keep it straight

Pivots

Hind legs should plant - Front feet cross over

When ready to pivot - slide hand up lead to chinned then turn

DO push the the horse forward, DON’T pull the horse behind

Practice - tap on left front shoulder with rope to force left front foot to cross over

After a pivot stop and complete the maneuver

-No need to set up again unless stated in the pattern otherwise

Set-ups

Square feet

Approximately 3 seconds to set up

Horse’s head should not move - keep it forward

EXTRA FLARE: take a small step back to show completion of move

When Approaching the Judge (WAJ)

Maintain eye contact

Right arm needs to be pointed at the judge’s belt buckle

SMILE!😁

Circle Pattern

When you come out of circle WAJ make sure right arm is lined up at the judge

Find a spot (plot of dirt, rock, hole in the sand) and use that to measure that you are keeping the same distance around the entire circle

The Quarters of a Horse

Standing Position

A good video to watch showmanship is the "Showmanship run for Mallory Vroegh and Krymsun Belle" from 2017 AQHA Youth World.

Information

Distad, Jodie , and Horsemen of Iowa. "Showmanship." Clinic Day. Razing the Bar Stables, Mason City . 7 Apr. 2017. Clinic. Notes taken by Kathy Smith Typed by Kylee Smith