| Tip 1: Look Good | | | | Make sure you don't ask too late! If you know it |
| Having a clean and put together appearance when | | | | will take 4-5 steps before your horse transitions |
| you enter the show ring is something many | | | | then you will want to ask a bit earlier. If your |
| competitors overlook. Remember, when you are | | | | horse is so in tune that is only takes 1 step then |
| standing at the gate or the first cone waiting to | | | | ask a bit later. |
| start your pattern the judge gets a first | | | | Again, practice this at home. Even if you have to |
| impression based on your appearance! If you | | | | use a pop bottle as your cone, it's much better |
| have a flawless pattern but your outfit is wrinkled, | | | | than never trying until you enter the ring! |
| your hair is hanging in your face and your hat is | | | | Tip 4: Keep your distance |
| crunched you probably won't win the class unless | | | | There is nothing a judge dislikes more than having |
| you were miles ahead of the competition. | | | | to get out of the way of an exhibitor! If your |
| You don't have to be dressed fancy, just neat | | | | pattern says to stop at the judge your horse's |
| and clean. Have your hat cleaned and shaped | | | | nose should be about an arm's length away by |
| regularly, make sure your clothes are not just | | | | the time you have completely stopped. In this |
| clean but free of distracting wrinkles and have | | | | case, it is better to be a little farther away than |
| boots that match the color of your pants. Also, | | | | too close. |
| your hair should be pulled neatly out of your face | | | | This distance also give you enough room to move |
| and makeup should be professional looking and not | | | | around the horse's nose if the judge walks to the |
| overdone! | | | | left side of your horse first in his inspection. |
| This goes for your horse as well. He should be as | | | | NOTE: A small sub-point on this topic is that you |
| clean as possible with face and legs trimmed | | | | should be bringing your horse to the judge. If your |
| properly and mane and tail combed (even better: | | | | pattern has you walking or trotting to the judge |
| a good mane banding or braiding job will go a long | | | | your horse's nose should be headed straight for |
| way!). | | | | the judge's torso. If you look just to the left of |
| Tip 2: A Good Start | | | | the judge (instead of at him/her) you will line up |
| Practice at home so your horse will stand square | | | | with your horse straight! |
| at the start cone or gate. Most of the time you | | | | Tip 5: Stay Sharp |
| will have a little longer to get your horse's feet | | | | In showmanship class everything is about |
| set at the start because the previous exhibitor is | | | | precision. Always move with purpose and keep |
| running their pattern. You want to be sure that | | | | good posture. Although you shouldn't rush through |
| when the judges turns to you, you are ready and | | | | the maneuvers, taking too much time to set up, |
| looking sharp! | | | | back or pivot is considered a fault. Instead you |
| Your horse should also walk forward readily with | | | | should make sure each item is performed "sharp". |
| you when you take that first step in the pattern. | | | | This does not mean you should nod at the judge |
| Don't close your eyes and hope he does...practice | | | | each time you move side to side or when you |
| this every time you walk him at home. Whether | | | | exit. That looks fake! |
| you are walking to the pasture with him or just | | | | Now Get Practicing! |
| finished riding and are cooling him out, always ask | | | | Now that you have some tips to help you know |
| him to walk with you properly. | | | | what to look for, get out there are start |
| You never get a second chance at a first | | | | practicing! Remember that even if you have a |
| impression, so make your first steps count! | | | | great showmanship horse you have to be in tune |
| Tip 3: Use the Cones | | | | with him to make a winning showmanship pattern. |
| One of the biggest problems I see with young | | | | Take the time to go through each maneuver you |
| and inexperienced exhibitors is that they don't | | | | may be required to do in your class and work on |
| know when to transition at a cone! Your pattern | | | | it until you can perform it with no lead rope. That |
| says: "Walk from cone A to cone B, Trot to cone | | | | is the challenge I give myself each time I work |
| C, stop and back 4 steps". When do you | | | | with a new horse on perfecting showmanship. If I |
| transition? For most people you should start | | | | can do it well with no lead then I know I can hit |
| asking your horse to transition the moment their | | | | the mark in the show ring! |
| nose reaches the cone. That way he will already | | | | For more tips and info check out: |
| be in the next gate (or stopped) by the time his | | | | I also list some helpful books and other sources |
| shoulder gets there. That is the true transition | | | | there! |
| point! | | | | |