Horse showmanship
Encyclopedia
Showmanship is an event found at many horse show
s. The class is also sometimes called "Fitting and Showmanship", "Showmanship In-Hand", "Showmanship at Halter" or "Halter Showmanship" It involves a person on the ground leading a horse
, wearing a halter
or bridle
, through a series of maneuvers called a pattern
. The horse itself is not judged on its conformation
. Rather, the exhibitor is judged on how well he or she exhibits the animal to its best advantage, with additional scoring for the grooming and presentation of both horse and handler.
Showmanship began as a component of 4-H
competition for young people, to teach them how to present a horse in-hand. Over time, it expanded into most breed competition at regular horse show
s as well and has become a highly competitive event with exacting standards at the highest level. Yet, it also remains a standard competition in 4-H and other schooling shows for beginners.
Most showmanship classes in the United States use western
style horses, clothing and equipment; however, English
styles are also seen, depending on the breed of horse. In some breed and open competitions, both English and Western handlers may appear in the same class.
The horse is prepared months ahead of the event by being provided good nutrition
to develop a healthy, shiny coat. Its hooves
will be trimmed regularly by a farrier
and kept balanced, smooth and neat. It will be brushed and otherwise groomed frequently to further promote a shiny coat and good overall health. The horse will also be exercised regularly, either in-hand or under saddle, to develop good muscle tone.
The day before the show, the horse will be bathed and hair on its mane, tail, legs and head trimmed or clipped to meet the style standard for the particular breed of horse. Often special conditioners are used on the hair to make it extra shiny or silky. While precise styles vary by breed, the hair on the horse's lower legs, jaw, throat, ears, and around the eyes usually is closely clipped, the whiskers on the muzzle and sometimes the eyes are trimmed, and usually a "bridle path" is cut, removing a length of mane behind the ears where the crownpiece of the halter or bridle goes.
It is very important for competitors to be very familiar with the most minute grooming and style details for the breed of horse and style of tack and clothing they choose to use in the ring. A style required by one breed association may be considered illegal by another. Depending on the breed of the horse and the style of tack used, the mane
might be braided, left loose, or "banded" (having small rubber bands put around small sections of a short mane at the roots in order to help it lay down). Horses shown with loose, flowing manes sometimes have their manes put into 5 or 6 large braids the night before, taken out just before the class and brushed to give an attractive, wavy appearance.
Tails of horses shown in hunt seat
style may be French braided at the dock in classic show hunter
style. Some breeds allow false hairpieces to be added to a tail, other breeds prohibit fake tails. Horses required to have naturally long tails sometimes have them kept "up" when not showing, the long hairs braided up to the bottom of the dock, then the braid rolled up, with a bandage or old sock put around the hair to keep it from breaking off and to keep the tail clean. When taken down and brushed out, a tail kept in this manner is wavy and flowing in the ring. If kept up at all other times, a tail may grow so long that it drags on the ground.
On the day of the show, shortly before it goes into the ring, the horse is not only groomed to remove every possible speck of dirt, but it will usually have polish applied to its hooves, a light oil or conditioner placed on its muzzle, around the eyes, and other strategic areas of the head to accent its best features, and usually have a light coat dressing sprayed on its entire body for a bit of last minute shine. While exhibitors in 4-H
competition are expected to do this all themselves (and keep their show clothes clean in the process), exhibitors in open competition usually have a groom, often a parent or coach, assist them in this last-minute preparation.
The horse shown western style is required to wear a halter
and be handled with a lead shank. This is usually a well-fitted leather halter with a slim leather lead shank. The width of the leather staps of the halter may be quite heavy or very refined, depending on the breed of the horse and what looks best on an individual animal. Some show rules allow a chain under the jaw of the horse to provide extra control, other times it is not. The handler may carry a whip when showing some breeds, but usually whips are not allowed.
The horse shown hunter
style wears a proper English style bridle, with the handler either leading the horse by the reins or with a lead shank attached to the bit
. The horse shown saddle seat
style may, depending on breed, be shown either in a modified form of the bridle used in riding classes or in an extremely thin, refined leather or leatherlike halter.
The exhibitor, male or female, must wear pants, a shirt with a tie or brooch, and boots. Some show rules require a hat. Gloves are optional, but usually worn by winning exhibitors because the provide a better grip on the lead shank and give a polished look. Jackets or vests are also optional, but common. If the handler is showing English style, they wear the same jodhpurs or breeches and boots as they would wear in a riding class, with appropriate hunt seat
or saddle seat
hats, neckwear, and jackets. In a few breeds, showmanship exhibitors, both male and female, may instead choose to wear a business suit similar to what might be worn to an office or other white collar work setting. Western handlers may wear either western riding clothing or a business-style outfit, augmented by a cowboy hat and boots
This event has evolved over time. In years past, it was a common to see exhibitors clad simply in neatly starched denim jeans, a pressed white shirt, necktie, hat and boots. The horse was originally shown in a simple leather stable halter. While simple clothing and equipment is still mandated at some levels of 4-H
competition, in open competition and sanctioned events for various breeds, exhibitors usually follow the same style as seen in riding classes. Thus, it is common today to see Western-style exhibitors in very elaborate, appliqued ensembles bejeweled in swarovski crystals, showing horses in halters decorated with extensive amounts of sterling silver.
, the United States Equestrian Federation
and the American Quarter Horse Association
. While rules vary a bit from one breed or organization to another, there are general principles that usually apply in all competitions.
The pattern the exhibitors are to perform is usually posted ahead of time. It must be memorized and riders cannot carry notes or be coached while in the ring. Horses are usually led into the ring at a walk. Depending on the breed and the pattern, exhibitors may enter and perform the required pattern one at a time, then line up in a group on one side of the ring, other times they may all enter the ring, line up first, then work the pattern.
Most patterns are deceptively simple: The exhibitor will lead the horse at a walk and trot, make one or two turns, stop at specific locations, and sometimes back up. However, all straight lines must be perfectly straight, all turns smooth and crisp, all changes of speed executed promptly. Orange highway cones are often used to designate the precise spot a horse and exhibitor are to walk, trot, turn or back. Patterns may be made more difficult by having changes of gait
in shorter distances, by requiring more frequent or tighter turns, or by asking the horse to turn in place, pivoting on its hindquarters for two or three revolutions.
An exhibitor is not allowed to touch with the horse during a class. An exhibitor should treat each part of the pattern as a separate task leaving the maneuvers crisp, as opposed to sloppy and run together. An exhibitor should appear confident and happy; ultimately selling themselves and their horse to the judge by acting in a confident and professional manner.
Finally, the exhibitor has to set up the horse and the judge will walk around the animal, as if it were being judged for conformation. However, the judge is actually watching the exhibitor and evaluating the grooming, cleanliness, style and turnout of the entry. The exhibitor must move from one side of the horse to the other so that they do not interfere with the judge's line of sight, yet the horse must stand perfectly still, alert, with its ears pricked forward even when the exhibitor moves around. The handler must be particularly smooth and quiet when moving from one side of the horse to the other, yet move quickly and watch the judge at all times.
There are two standard styles used by exhibitors to stay out of the judge's way: the "half system" and the "quarter system." The half system is the simplest, used by beginning exhibitors at small shows, though technically legal even for most handlers. In the half system, the handler simply remains on the side (the "half") of the horse opposite that of the judge; when the judge is looking at the left side of the horse, the handler stands on the right, and vice versa.
The quarter system is a bit more complex but also more common. In the quarter system, the handler stands on the side opposite the judge when the judge is looking at the front of the horse, but when the judge moves to look at the hindquarters of the horse, the handler then moves to stand on the same side of the horse as the judge. The reasoning behind this method is that it is a bit safer in case the horse is startled by the judge being behind it, and it is also easier for the exhibitor to see the judge. Though technically a handler would be judged equally for using the half system or the quarter system, an exhibitor using the quarter system correctly will gain more points because it is a bit more complex.
Judges may ask exhibitors to pick up the feet of the horse, or to part the horse's lips and show the judge the "bite" of the horse's teeth. At some shows the judge may ask the exhibitor questions about the parts of the horse, horse management, the age and breed of their animal, and so on. The exhibitor is expected to provide a correct answer in a polite, confident and professional manner.
The winner of a showmanship class is usually determined by a formula that varies by the organization that sanctions the show, but usually counts grooming and cleanliness for about 40% of the score, and the pattern and handler's showmanship for about 60%.
Horse show
A Horse show is a judged exhibition of horses and ponies. Many different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines hold competitions worldwide, from local to the international levels. Most horse shows run from one to three days, sometimes longer for major, all-breed events or national and...
s. The class is also sometimes called "Fitting and Showmanship", "Showmanship In-Hand", "Showmanship at Halter" or "Halter Showmanship" It involves a person on the ground leading a horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
, wearing a halter
Halter
A halter, headcollar, or, less often, headstall, is headgear that is used to lead or tie up livestock and, occasionally, other animals; it fits behind the ears , and around the muzzle. To handle the animal, usually a lead rope or lead shank is attached...
or bridle
Bridle
A bridle is a piece of equipment used to direct a horse. As defined in the Oxford English Dictionary, the "bridle" includes both the headstall that holds a bit that goes in the mouth of a horse, and the reins that are attached to the bit....
, through a series of maneuvers called a pattern
Pattern
A pattern, from the French patron, is a type of theme of recurring events or objects, sometimes referred to as elements of a set of objects.These elements repeat in a predictable manner...
. The horse itself is not judged on its conformation
Equine conformation
Equine conformation evaluates the degree of correctness of a horse's bone structure, musculature, and its body proportions in relation to each other. Undesirable conformation can limit the ability to perform a specific task. Although there are several universal "faults," a horse's conformation is...
. Rather, the exhibitor is judged on how well he or she exhibits the animal to its best advantage, with additional scoring for the grooming and presentation of both horse and handler.
Showmanship began as a component of 4-H
4-H
4-H in the United States is a youth organization administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture , with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development." The name represents...
competition for young people, to teach them how to present a horse in-hand. Over time, it expanded into most breed competition at regular horse show
Horse show
A Horse show is a judged exhibition of horses and ponies. Many different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines hold competitions worldwide, from local to the international levels. Most horse shows run from one to three days, sometimes longer for major, all-breed events or national and...
s as well and has become a highly competitive event with exacting standards at the highest level. Yet, it also remains a standard competition in 4-H and other schooling shows for beginners.
Most showmanship classes in the United States use western
Western riding
Western riding is a style of horseback riding which evolved from the ranching and warfare traditions brought to the Americas by the Spanish Conquistadors, and both equipment and riding style evolved to meet the working needs of the cowboy in the American West...
style horses, clothing and equipment; however, English
English riding
English riding is a term used to describe a form of horse riding that is seen throughout the world. There are many variations in English riding, but all feature a flat English saddle without the deep seat, high cantle or saddle horn seen on a Western saddle nor the knee pads seen on an Australian...
styles are also seen, depending on the breed of horse. In some breed and open competitions, both English and Western handlers may appear in the same class.
Preparation
The horse must be appropriately groomed and clipped, as the exhibitor is being judged on the ability to fit and show a horse "in hand."The horse is prepared months ahead of the event by being provided good nutrition
Equine nutrition
Equine nutrition is the feeding of horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, and other equines. Correct and balanced nutrition is a critical component of proper horse care....
to develop a healthy, shiny coat. Its hooves
Hoof
A hoof , plural hooves or hoofs , is the tip of a toe of an ungulate mammal, strengthened by a thick horny covering. The hoof consists of a hard or rubbery sole, and a hard wall formed by a thick nail rolled around the tip of the toe. The weight of the animal is normally borne by both the sole...
will be trimmed regularly by a farrier
Farrier
A farrier is a specialist in equine hoof care, including the trimming and balancing of horses' hooves and the placing of shoes on their hooves...
and kept balanced, smooth and neat. It will be brushed and otherwise groomed frequently to further promote a shiny coat and good overall health. The horse will also be exercised regularly, either in-hand or under saddle, to develop good muscle tone.
The day before the show, the horse will be bathed and hair on its mane, tail, legs and head trimmed or clipped to meet the style standard for the particular breed of horse. Often special conditioners are used on the hair to make it extra shiny or silky. While precise styles vary by breed, the hair on the horse's lower legs, jaw, throat, ears, and around the eyes usually is closely clipped, the whiskers on the muzzle and sometimes the eyes are trimmed, and usually a "bridle path" is cut, removing a length of mane behind the ears where the crownpiece of the halter or bridle goes.
Mane (horse)
The mane is the hair that grows from the top of the neck of a horse or other equine, reaching from the poll to the withers, and includes the forelock or foretop. It is thicker and coarser than the rest of the horse's coat, and naturally grows to roughly cover the neck...
might be braided, left loose, or "banded" (having small rubber bands put around small sections of a short mane at the roots in order to help it lay down). Horses shown with loose, flowing manes sometimes have their manes put into 5 or 6 large braids the night before, taken out just before the class and brushed to give an attractive, wavy appearance.
Tails of horses shown in hunt seat
Hunt seat
Hunt seat is terminology used in the United States and Canada to refer to a style of forward seat riding commonly found at American horse shows. Along with Dressage, it is one of the two classic forms of English riding. The Hunt seat is based on the tradition of fox hunting...
style may be French braided at the dock in classic show hunter
Show hunter
The show hunter is a type of show horse that is judged on its movement, manners, and way of going, particularly while jumping fences. The horses are shown in hunt seat style tack, and are often of Warmblood or Thoroughbred type, though a hunter-style pony is also seen in youth classes...
style. Some breeds allow false hairpieces to be added to a tail, other breeds prohibit fake tails. Horses required to have naturally long tails sometimes have them kept "up" when not showing, the long hairs braided up to the bottom of the dock, then the braid rolled up, with a bandage or old sock put around the hair to keep it from breaking off and to keep the tail clean. When taken down and brushed out, a tail kept in this manner is wavy and flowing in the ring. If kept up at all other times, a tail may grow so long that it drags on the ground.
On the day of the show, shortly before it goes into the ring, the horse is not only groomed to remove every possible speck of dirt, but it will usually have polish applied to its hooves, a light oil or conditioner placed on its muzzle, around the eyes, and other strategic areas of the head to accent its best features, and usually have a light coat dressing sprayed on its entire body for a bit of last minute shine. While exhibitors in 4-H
4-H
4-H in the United States is a youth organization administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture , with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development." The name represents...
competition are expected to do this all themselves (and keep their show clothes clean in the process), exhibitors in open competition usually have a groom, often a parent or coach, assist them in this last-minute preparation.
Training the showmanship horse
The horse must be trained to respond instantly to any command by the handler. It must lead off promptly at a walk or trot, and stop immediately when asked. It must back up straight and quietly and learn to turn in a very tight circle from a walk and trot. The horse is also taught to "set up" -- to place its feet in a position, usually square on all four legs, that best shows the conformation of its breed. Often the horse also needs to learn to hold its head and neck up in a certain flattering position as well. The horse has to learn to accept standing in the setup position for long periods of time without fidgiting or falling asleep, as showmanship classes often are very long, due to the fact that exhibitors work the pattern one at a time.Equipment and clothing
Cleanliness and a professional, polished look to horse and exhibitor is crucial. The team must next conform to the standard style for showing the given breed of the horse. If a horse can be shown under saddle in either English or Western equipment, the handler may choose their style of equipment, but it cannot be mixed between the two styles.The horse shown western style is required to wear a halter
Halter
A halter, headcollar, or, less often, headstall, is headgear that is used to lead or tie up livestock and, occasionally, other animals; it fits behind the ears , and around the muzzle. To handle the animal, usually a lead rope or lead shank is attached...
and be handled with a lead shank. This is usually a well-fitted leather halter with a slim leather lead shank. The width of the leather staps of the halter may be quite heavy or very refined, depending on the breed of the horse and what looks best on an individual animal. Some show rules allow a chain under the jaw of the horse to provide extra control, other times it is not. The handler may carry a whip when showing some breeds, but usually whips are not allowed.
The horse shown hunter
Hunt seat
Hunt seat is terminology used in the United States and Canada to refer to a style of forward seat riding commonly found at American horse shows. Along with Dressage, it is one of the two classic forms of English riding. The Hunt seat is based on the tradition of fox hunting...
style wears a proper English style bridle, with the handler either leading the horse by the reins or with a lead shank attached to the bit
Bit
A bit is the basic unit of information in computing and telecommunications; it is the amount of information stored by a digital device or other physical system that exists in one of two possible distinct states...
. The horse shown saddle seat
Saddle seat
Saddle Seat is a style of horseback riding within the category of English riding that is designed to show off the high trotting action of certain horse breeds. The style developed into its modern form in the United States, and is also seen in Canada and South Africa...
style may, depending on breed, be shown either in a modified form of the bridle used in riding classes or in an extremely thin, refined leather or leatherlike halter.
The exhibitor, male or female, must wear pants, a shirt with a tie or brooch, and boots. Some show rules require a hat. Gloves are optional, but usually worn by winning exhibitors because the provide a better grip on the lead shank and give a polished look. Jackets or vests are also optional, but common. If the handler is showing English style, they wear the same jodhpurs or breeches and boots as they would wear in a riding class, with appropriate hunt seat
Hunt seat
Hunt seat is terminology used in the United States and Canada to refer to a style of forward seat riding commonly found at American horse shows. Along with Dressage, it is one of the two classic forms of English riding. The Hunt seat is based on the tradition of fox hunting...
or saddle seat
Saddle seat
Saddle Seat is a style of horseback riding within the category of English riding that is designed to show off the high trotting action of certain horse breeds. The style developed into its modern form in the United States, and is also seen in Canada and South Africa...
hats, neckwear, and jackets. In a few breeds, showmanship exhibitors, both male and female, may instead choose to wear a business suit similar to what might be worn to an office or other white collar work setting. Western handlers may wear either western riding clothing or a business-style outfit, augmented by a cowboy hat and boots
This event has evolved over time. In years past, it was a common to see exhibitors clad simply in neatly starched denim jeans, a pressed white shirt, necktie, hat and boots. The horse was originally shown in a simple leather stable halter. While simple clothing and equipment is still mandated at some levels of 4-H
4-H
4-H in the United States is a youth organization administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture , with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development." The name represents...
competition, in open competition and sanctioned events for various breeds, exhibitors usually follow the same style as seen in riding classes. Thus, it is common today to see Western-style exhibitors in very elaborate, appliqued ensembles bejeweled in swarovski crystals, showing horses in halters decorated with extensive amounts of sterling silver.
Exhibition
The rules for showmanship classes are set by organizations such as 4-H4-H
4-H in the United States is a youth organization administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture , with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development." The name represents...
, the United States Equestrian Federation
United States Equestrian Federation
The United States Equestrian Federation is the national governing body for most equestrian sports in the United States. It began on January 20, 1917 as the Association of American Horse Shows, later changed in 1933 to the American Horse Shows Association...
and the American Quarter Horse Association
American Quarter Horse Association
The American Quarter Horse Association , based in Amarillo, Texas, is an international organization dedicated to the preservation, improvement and record-keeping of the American Quarter Horse. The association sanctions many competitive events and maintains the official registry...
. While rules vary a bit from one breed or organization to another, there are general principles that usually apply in all competitions.
The pattern the exhibitors are to perform is usually posted ahead of time. It must be memorized and riders cannot carry notes or be coached while in the ring. Horses are usually led into the ring at a walk. Depending on the breed and the pattern, exhibitors may enter and perform the required pattern one at a time, then line up in a group on one side of the ring, other times they may all enter the ring, line up first, then work the pattern.
Most patterns are deceptively simple: The exhibitor will lead the horse at a walk and trot, make one or two turns, stop at specific locations, and sometimes back up. However, all straight lines must be perfectly straight, all turns smooth and crisp, all changes of speed executed promptly. Orange highway cones are often used to designate the precise spot a horse and exhibitor are to walk, trot, turn or back. Patterns may be made more difficult by having changes of gait
Horse gait
Horse gaits are the various ways in which a horse can move, either naturally or as a result of specialized training by humans.-Classification:...
in shorter distances, by requiring more frequent or tighter turns, or by asking the horse to turn in place, pivoting on its hindquarters for two or three revolutions.
An exhibitor is not allowed to touch with the horse during a class. An exhibitor should treat each part of the pattern as a separate task leaving the maneuvers crisp, as opposed to sloppy and run together. An exhibitor should appear confident and happy; ultimately selling themselves and their horse to the judge by acting in a confident and professional manner.
Finally, the exhibitor has to set up the horse and the judge will walk around the animal, as if it were being judged for conformation. However, the judge is actually watching the exhibitor and evaluating the grooming, cleanliness, style and turnout of the entry. The exhibitor must move from one side of the horse to the other so that they do not interfere with the judge's line of sight, yet the horse must stand perfectly still, alert, with its ears pricked forward even when the exhibitor moves around. The handler must be particularly smooth and quiet when moving from one side of the horse to the other, yet move quickly and watch the judge at all times.
There are two standard styles used by exhibitors to stay out of the judge's way: the "half system" and the "quarter system." The half system is the simplest, used by beginning exhibitors at small shows, though technically legal even for most handlers. In the half system, the handler simply remains on the side (the "half") of the horse opposite that of the judge; when the judge is looking at the left side of the horse, the handler stands on the right, and vice versa.
The quarter system is a bit more complex but also more common. In the quarter system, the handler stands on the side opposite the judge when the judge is looking at the front of the horse, but when the judge moves to look at the hindquarters of the horse, the handler then moves to stand on the same side of the horse as the judge. The reasoning behind this method is that it is a bit safer in case the horse is startled by the judge being behind it, and it is also easier for the exhibitor to see the judge. Though technically a handler would be judged equally for using the half system or the quarter system, an exhibitor using the quarter system correctly will gain more points because it is a bit more complex.
Judges may ask exhibitors to pick up the feet of the horse, or to part the horse's lips and show the judge the "bite" of the horse's teeth. At some shows the judge may ask the exhibitor questions about the parts of the horse, horse management, the age and breed of their animal, and so on. The exhibitor is expected to provide a correct answer in a polite, confident and professional manner.
The winner of a showmanship class is usually determined by a formula that varies by the organization that sanctions the show, but usually counts grooming and cleanliness for about 40% of the score, and the pattern and handler's showmanship for about 60%.
See also
- Halter (horse show)Halter (horse show)"Halter" is a term used to describe a type of horse show class where horses are shown "in hand," meaning that they are led, not ridden, and are judged on their conformation and suitability as breeding stock...
- Horse groomingHorse groomingHorse grooming is hygienic care given to a horse, or a process by which the horse's physical appearance is enhanced for horse shows or other types of competition.-Reasons for grooming:...
- Horse careHorse careThere are many aspects to horse care. Horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and other domesticated equids require attention from humans for optimal health and long life.-Living environment:...
- Equine nutritionEquine nutritionEquine nutrition is the feeding of horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, and other equines. Correct and balanced nutrition is a critical component of proper horse care....
- Western ridingWestern ridingWestern riding is a style of horseback riding which evolved from the ranching and warfare traditions brought to the Americas by the Spanish Conquistadors, and both equipment and riding style evolved to meet the working needs of the cowboy in the American West...
- EquestrianismEquestrianismEquestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
- List of horse breeds
- Mane (horse)Mane (horse)The mane is the hair that grows from the top of the neck of a horse or other equine, reaching from the poll to the withers, and includes the forelock or foretop. It is thicker and coarser than the rest of the horse's coat, and naturally grows to roughly cover the neck...
for information on braiding