:) Okay my Wells Co 4-H Horse & Pony friends, anyone who knows me knows that showmanship is above and beyond my favorite class to show, and if any of you are feeling nervous I am going to outline some tips that can and will improve your showmanship score if you implement them regardless to whether or not you do one more thing training your horse to prepare the class before the fair. 1. First impressions are so important. Judges get an impression immediately when they see you as to whether they believe you will be a contender in the class so do all you can to help your horse look their very best the day of the show. This will not only ingrain a good impression to the judge but we all feel more confident leading a well turned out horse/pony into the show ring. When you are confident you will present better. 2. There is nothing that can beat having a wonderful presentation form. The ideal is arms at a 90 degree position. Drop your arms to your side and bend at the elbow until they are at a perfect square corner. This may be difficult for some if your horse does not work entirely off of body cues yet, but be as close to the ideal as possible! Also your left arm should never move from this position, ever, there is no reason for it too. However, even if you have to vary this position slightly try to be sure your hands are not fading in towards your belly button, keep them straight our from your sides. 3. If it is unnatural then it is not correct! When you walk walk like you mean business but do not add any movement you would not do walking down the street. Also, please avoid the dreaded squat trot. People get in a bad habit of doing this while trying to keep there upper body still. If you have a wonderful pattern it may not keep you out of the winners circle but there is nothing appealing about watching someone jog like they have something up their bum they are trying to keep in place. 4. When you are doing your pattern there is one simple thing you can do to help it look more sharp, clean, and precise. Finish your pattern components completely, and you can do this with your feet alone. I always work off of my right, but you should do whatever is most comfortable for you. When you take off to walk from presentation position (I) step back with my right foot bring my left to it and immediately step off with my right. When have to walk or jog to a stop I pick my place on the ground and once my right foot is down bring my left immediately to it. When I turn to pivot I do not do this as I just showed completion with my stop before hand but i do end my pivot with my feet once again coming together and take off for my next component the same way before mentioned taking off walking and trotting. Finally one way to sharpen up your inspection presentation is to take a slight step back, feet coming together after your set-up, this once again shows completion. 5. When you set-up get your horse as close to perfect as you can but do not waste time seeking perfection if you are slightly off. Time and correctness are both factors in scores, but undue time can also hurt your score. 6. Also, as you did with your horse take time to make yourself look your best! This does not mean that you need to spend hundreds on a blinged up outfit, hat, jewelry, and boots. However, you will find your scores will improve if you are clean, your clothing pressed, hair contained, make up done, clothing well color suited to your horse, your boots are polished or at least dusted off, and if at all possible your hat shaped well. If you do not have the want to pay to have someone shape your hat you can do a half decent job over boiling water on the stove, it has saved me more than once! Once again all these little details will help you feel confident which WILL convey to the judge. 7. Once again I will touch on presentation form. Just standing up tall is great, but if you can pull your shoulders back, and if you are feeling really daring lift your chin ever so slightly. You do not want to appear arrogant but to come across as person saying, you better watch and pay attention because you are not going to want to miss this! 8. SHOW IT LIKE YOU OWN IT!!!!! It does not matter if you think you are going to have the best or the worst pattern of the class the way you present yourself can and will go a LONG way. I have had extreme success showing this class from local open shows to major AQHA circuits and what the judges are looking for never changes. I have walked out the winner in classes and thought, how the heck did that happen?!?!? It comes down to how you present yourself and your horse. Never think I just blew it, or I cant beat them. Even the best teams can make mistakes and that can be your window of opportunity, but no matter what happens, NEVER QUIT SHOWING! Most of all though, have fun!!!! This class can challenge and teach you new things, and if you master it you will walk away with an amazing relationship with your horse! Good Luck, I cant wait to see you all show at the fair!!!!!
Posted on: Sat, 12 Jul 2014 02:22:32 +0000
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