Winning at Horse Showmanship Class

Bringing home the blue ribbon!

My horses and I have put in hundreds of miles over the years, mostly riding in the high country and mountain valleys. It never occurred to me that there was anything else to do with my horse until on a ride one day, my friend and I began discussing the various possibilities. She asked me what I knew about showmanship.

My response was, “Huh? What is showmanship?”

As she knew even less than I did, I turned to Alpine Publications, 30 years in the business of dog and horse books. There I found Laurie Truskauskas, www.silvercreekhorses.com, well-known trainer of show horses, breeder, teacher of showmanship at the college level and accomplished author. Her book, Understanding Showmanship, Everything you need to know to win at Showmanship Class, available through Alpine Publications, www.alpinepub.com, is true to its title. I learned so much I’m thinking of hitting the ‘show’ trail with my own horse.

I discovered that in showmanship competition, the handler is judged, not the horse. Showmanship originated as a way to teach a handler how to best show a horse in halter. Often the first class that a new competitor can do well in, (and we all know that doing well leads to wanting to keep on doing well), provides more incentive for wanting to try other classes. What better way for the younger horse person, just learning to be around and take care of a horse, to have fun while earning ribbons?

The object of showmanship is for the handler to learn to move in such a manner that the judge always has a clear, unobstructed view of your horse. It’s called the quarter method of showing and has become the accepted standard. When he (the judge) is at the left front of the horse, you stand on the right front. When the judge progresses to the hindquarters, you move to the same side of the horse as the judge, but not blocking his view. All of this graceful maneuvering has the added advantage of teaching a horse to be respectful, on the ground and under saddle. Good training and proper manners equals a safe horse.

One’s attire, I read, is a BIG deal (as in, clothing and accessories can make or break your presentation) but it’s more about neatness, suitability of the attire, and matching oneself to the horse than spending lots of money. Hair is a biggie too – that is the horse’s locks. Learning to braid and band a mane and tail to perfection is discussed in detail, complete with how-to photos and instructions. A fun plus for us girls – clothes, appearance and hair styling!  All that though, is just one aspect of the overall judging process.

Your horse has to know basic maneuvers. You must teach him to lead, to back up, to set up, to perform a 360, pivoting his hind foot in one spot and crossing over with his left front leg, and to hold his square position as you move back and forth in front of him. As Laurie aptly says, “you cannot pull a horse out of the pasture on a Saturday night and expect him to do well at showmanship on Sunday.”

You and the horse must also be able to do patterns, which have become increasingly more complex. Patterns vary from show to show and from judge to judge. Laurie advises training a horse to obey a command, rather than teaching a horse to perform a set pattern. Teaching him to obey your cues for each individual exercise will have him ready for any pattern the judge requests at a show. She does include patterns for you and your horse to practice at home.

She also has some very specific advice to the handler on the importance of ‘attitude’. The first minute or two of your entrance into the ring tells a judge more than you can imagine and makes for a very lasting impression. Alert, cheerful, bright and smiling without being fake or overdoing it tells the judge that you are prepared to show your horse to his best ability and that you know you can win!  Showmanship is, after all, PRESENTATION!

I’m convinced that I too would soon be winning at this class simply by following Laurie Truskauskas’ advice and instruction in Understanding Showmanship. I’m not quite as sure my trail horse would pass the muster of her ‘picking out the best showmanship prospect’ but he’d definitely give it his all.

Is anyone competing in showmanship and have a pointer or two for my horse and me? We are – all ears!