[Doll-Face]

Hi all! Daisy and I are going to our first show together this weekend. Its just a local lesson show my instructor is putting on at her place, so we wont feel too pressured! But I still want us to do well!

One of the classes is a beg. horsemanship class. Ive rode a few patterns, but would like any tips yall veterans might have for me!

Its a very simple pattern! Here it is:

Walk to cone A
Trot a circle at cone B to cone C.
Halt, back 4 steps.

Think thats right. What I'm mostly worried about is getting a CIRCULAR circle, lol. We havent worked much on that, but def will be doing lots of it tomarrow. Any tips on making a good circle?

Also, if you were me, would you hold your off hand up next to your rein hand, like they do for normal horsemanship classes?? I dont know if her students will be doing this, and I dont want to look like a know it all, especially since I will prolly place in the bottom!! LOL. But she was my former IHSA coach, and we DID do that in our classes...I prolly will just play it by ear and see what everyone else does.

And! Do you make changes with your horses NOSE at the cone, or SHOULDER at the cone?

AND! The cone should always be on my right, right? lol

We're also showing halter, and maybe a few walk trot classes. Im really excited, this is the first horse Ive had who I can take just about anywhere and not worry and just have fun.

Thanks yall! Ill def bring back pics for everyone

[faroutfax]

You can try to focus on a point where you want the middle of your circle to be.

You make transitions when either your shoulder is at the pylon or when your horse's showlder is at the plyon.

Lool at the pattern and stay on what ever side it tells you to be on.

And SMILE

[reiner girl]

hehehe my horses first ever horsemanship pattern was walk to first cone, jog to second cone sto, back up 4 steps lope a circle to the left and finish with the shoulder at the cone....well needless to say we finish with the 3rd cone squished into the ground! lol!

[cherazam]

How the patterns drawn will tell you what side of the cone you need to be on. On your circle be straight and then turn same with closing your circle. Also know how long it takes your horse to trasition into the jog becuase thats how much distance you want to have before the cone so you get into the jog right at it.

[Quick2Skip01]

Definitely keep in mind the middle point of your circle, if your cone is the middle, watch it.

This is hard to describe but while doing your circle twist your body (not dramatically but slightly) accordingly, this should help you and your horse through the circle and follow with your eyes where you want your horse to go.

Also keep in mind, dont rush your pattern. Keep a slight pause between all elements, so your horse knows what you are going to ask next.

Good luck! Horsemanship is a blast.

[Cowgirl1013]

Its a very simple pattern! Here it is:

Walk to cone A
Trot a circle at cone B to cone C.
Halt, back 4 steps.

Think thats right. What I'm mostly worried about is getting a CIRCULAR circle, lol. We havent worked much on that, but def will be doing lots of it tomarrow. Any tips on making a good circle?

When you get to cone B go a few steps past and then start your circle. Keep your eyes. Don't drop your shoulder. Try not to twist your body to get the horse to turn. Look at the circle in halves. Cut it in half at the cone, so look at the second mark when you pass the cone. When you hit the second half look at the cone. Practice, practice, practice.

Also, if you were me, would you hold your off hand up next to your rein hand, like they do for normal horsemanship classes??

Yes I would. Keep your elbows close to your body too.

I dont know if her students will be doing this, and I dont want to look like a know it all, especially since I will prolly place in the bottom!! LOL. But she was my former IHSA coach, and we DID do that in our classes...I prolly will just play it by ear and see what everyone else does.

If you get a chance to ask questions ask the judge what they prefer.

And! Do you make changes with your horses NOSE at the cone, or SHOULDER at the cone?

Transitions should start when the horse's feet hit the cone.

AND! The cone should always be on my right, right? lol

Look at the pattern and it will let you know.

We're also showing halter, and maybe a few walk trot classes. Im really excited, this is the first horse Ive had who I can take just about anywhere and not worry and just have fun.

Have fun at your show. Bring back pics too.

[Doll-Face]

Thanks SOO much guys! All this has been great help.

Here's a copy of the pattern so yall have a better idea. Dont I just ROCK at paint?? lol


SO! Im glad yall told me the cone thing, I will def keep those on my right.

I am a bit confused about where to start transitions tho. Ive heard when my horses feet hit it, my shoulder, the horses shoulder...??

LOL reiner girl, nothin like jumping in with both feet!

Thanks again guys!

[Cowgirl1013]

Transition when your horse's feet/shoulder hit the cone. Also I forgot to mention to try to keep the same distance from each cone.

[John]

I think that you will find that most judges like the stops to be opposite your stirrup. You can ask before the class .

[Lindsayanne]

Everyone's given you great advice, stick to the pattern and I bet you'll do fine in a beginning horsemanship class. Here are a few small tips I've gotten from judges that might give you a bit of an edge:

Remember equitation is not 100% judged on the pattern. Keep your head up, shoulders back, and try not to cluck or kiss to your horse.

When the class starts, you'll either all be called in and expected to stand in lineup as everyone does their pattern, or called in one at a time. Either way, when your turn is up, walk in or walk up from lineup to the first cone. Don't let other people in lineup crowd you away from starting straight on that first cone. Once you get to that cone, don't immediately start your pattern. STOP and look at the judge and wait for them to cue you to go.

Perform your pattern, after your fourth step back, halt, look over at the judge, and wait for them to dismiss you.

Most judges will offer the opportunity for ou to ask any questions about the pattern before you start. Take advantage of this! Asking whether he or she wants transitions when your horses shoulder is at the cone or your body is an okay question to ask.

Many times the judge will ask for a volunteer to go first. If you are confident about the pattern, do it! It tells the judge you're confident in yourself and your abilities and will help you stand out of the crowd.

If you have trouble with small circles, go big. A judge would rather see a balanced horse with an even gait do a large circle than a horse get unbalanced and break gait doing a smaller one. As long as you keep the cones on your right, you're not going off pattern. (says the girl who's used the ENTIRE arena to do an equitation class figure eight and won the class. )

When you are in lineup you are NOT excused from the judges eye. It can be a long wait and it's fine to let your horse relax, but you should not slouch or comment on anyone else's performance or anything like that. The judge can and will judge your performance in lineup.