[Horsebrat20]

Ok, i had a show on Sunday. It was a memorial horse show, and my sister even got to be in the news! That was cool, but anyway. Blue and me didn't do too hot. Didn't get any ribbons worth talking about, and i know we could do a lot better. So i would like you to critique our pics. The circumstances were bad though, i was "under the weather", the saddle and pad were too far forward and kept sliding forward even when we moved it back, which made her more forward and strung out then usual, it was the first time without a martingale at a show, and we couldn't get properly warmed up (she needs a good half hour to warm up) because they didn't have anywhere to do it. So, knowing all that critique away. When you're done looking at the pics, i would like to know what i should do about her head, she was awful that day, with her head wrenched up and her nose out, pretty much forgot all the training i've been doing latly. But it is true i've only been working for a week with her without a martingale, but from now on, i'm not gonna use it because she was going great with it on the last hole, so i figured she didn't need it anymore. She comes onto the bit and moves out pretty well without it, definently not perfect, but it's improvement. So, what should i do? I had my leg on her, and had my hands steady like i always do when asking her to come onto the bit, i usually just keep a constant pressure on her mouth, and she gets tired of the pressure, and comes down. Anyway, please critique her and me, i know i have my toes sticking out in some of them, bad habit. Thanks!


http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...4124&members=1

[arabianlvr87]

From looking at the pictures, nothing really caught me as "Whoa! Look at that! What was she thinking?"

I thought the Halter pictures looked very nice, as well as the ones of you two walking.

[Horsebrat20]

Thanks! Belle4, thanks for the pm. I know what you mean about the upside down neck, i cringed the whole time while i was watching the movie. It is so fustrating though, she wasn't concentrating at all that day, and we couldn't get warmed up properly, it all made me very fustrated. I knew exactly what she looked like while riding her, but i couldn't do much to fix it. Any other tips anyone?

[belle4]

Here is my number one piece of advice. Watch the winners!! People love to talk about their horses. Ask them questions. Especially after they just won the class they are most generous with their winning techniques. In showmanship it's all the little things that add up to the completed picture. Watch what they wear, how they warm their horse up, how their horses are groomed, where they hold their hands, body position, everything. Maybe the winners at your shows are not that impressive, so go to larger shows and watch the winners. Ask questions, even to the judge. Sometimes you have to wait until after the show, but wait and ask. Do you have an specific questions?

[Horsebrat20]

Let's see, i have questions for showmanship. When i switch sides so i'm standing one box away from the jugde, how do i do it? Step sideways, or turn, walk forward, then turn again? Umm, should i aways be looking at the judge? What do i do with the extra reins in my free hand? Thats all i can think of right now, i'm sure i'll have more later.

[belle4]

Let's see, i have questions for showmanship. When i switch sides so i'm standing one box away from the jugde, how do i do it? Step sideways, or turn, walk forward, then turn again? Umm, should i aways be looking at the judge? What do i do with the extra reins in my free hand? Thats all i can think of right now, i'm sure i'll have more later.

When you are standing for inspection and getting ready to play the box game, be out in front of your horse enough so you don't have to duck under your horses head. Your toes should be pointing towards you horses front feet. If you are on the left side of you horse and need to change to the right side, take your first step with your right (inside leg) leg. It should only take 3 steps to get you in position on the other side. As you step with your right leg, do a little pivot on your right foot so you are turned enough to be in the exact same position (toes pointing towards your horses feet on the off side. When you change back, take the first step with your left foot and do the little pivot to get back into position on the left foot. Again, only 3 steps. If you are too close to you horse, you have to increase the number of steps by getting out of the way, crossing over and then back into position. Don't take giant steps, nor baby steps either. Naturall, poised, always stopping with your feet together and toes pointing towards you horses feet. Every time you change sides glance down to check that you horse is not resting or "dropped" and make eye contact with judge again. If the judge is moving fast, you move fast. If the judge is moving slow, you move slow. Think of it as a dance. You should always be looking at the judge, except when you are checking you horse during inspection, backing, pivoting and moving away from the judge.

Hold the lead rope close to the chain. The excess lead rope should be neatly and loosly coiled or figure 8 style in your free hand. Pretend that you are holding a serving platter. Thumbs up and hands even when possibe. Your hand goes forward for trot offs and turns, etc, but one hand should not be significantly higher than the other.

Don't be afraid of the judge. He/she may be just as nervous about doing a good job and being fair. Speak in a clear voice and always answer in complete sentences ending with sir/mam. Never touch your horse. If the judge asks you to tell where a body part is located, explain the answer with words, don't point or touch the part. Know you horses shoe size.

I could go on, hope this helps. If you have any more questions, just let me know. I will post a picture of body position of my girls showing last weekend so you can get an idea.


Here the judge has stopped before the midline trying to trick my little one up. The next step the judge takes, my daughter will move to the other side. She will take her first step to the other side with her right foot. Second step with the left and end with the right. See what I mean about hands level, like holding a platter? She is out far enought in front of her horse, no ducking.

[Horsebrat20]

Thank you very much Belle! I understand better with the platter thing now. One more thing, what if the judge stops directly behind the horse, or directly in front of it? The judge we had last week did this, and i was dancing around trying to stay one box away, but she kept moving around, or standing in an awkward position. I make eye contact with the judge? (just to be clear) When i halt the horse, i turn and face him, right? Thats the way i do it normally, but i just want to be sure. Thanks again, i really appreciate it!

[belle4]

Use the picture above as a reference. If the judge were to have stopped directly behind the horse my daughter would have been of the "off" side. She would stay there until the judge crosses to the other side, like she is in the picture.

After the inspection, if the judge stops right in front of the horse stay where you are until you are dismissed. The judge will normally nod and that means that you can get back to the left side and complete the pattern. The judge will normally start and stop the inspection from the original point where you brought your horse to him. For inspection, if the judge walks around to the right first you will automatically be on the correct side to finish the pattern. If the judge walks around to the left first, you will stay on the off side until the judge gives the nod. You then change sides and complete the pattern.

The halt is very important and depends very much on body language. Let's say you are to walk your horse to the judge, stop, and set up for inspection. You would walk the horse, not your self to the judge. Try to line up your horses nose with the judges nose. I tell my kids to look at the judges left shoulder. While leading, your right hand should be slightly ahead of your normal position. This is the cue for you horse to move forward. When you approach the judge, lean your upper body back, just a little and bring your hand back. You are still looking straight ahead with shoulders square. Have you horse come to a complete stop, still looking forward, shoulders square and turn to face your horse for set up. Do not turn too quick or your horse will follow your body language and throw his hip out of line.

I hope this all makes sense. It's very hard to explain in writing, much easier to demonstrate. Hope this helps. Yes, keep making eye contact! After you do a 180, always look over your inside shoulder to check the judge. This of course depends on the pattern, but normally you get to the judge (may be added maneuvers) set up for inspection, do a 180 and get back to the line up somehow. Check the judge after the 180 (over you right shoulder) and before you either walk or trot back to the line up.

Here is a picture of a world quality stop. Notice the body language.

[Horsebrat20]

Awesome, thank you so much. I'll practice a lot to see if i can remeber all this and get the hang of it. Thanks!

[gallop3337]

Belle4 gave great advice about watching the winners! I did this at my state qualifying 4-H show and I ended up winning my class by watching a really good younger competitor! One of the things I picked up and mimicked was every time you cross over into a box, look at your horses feet to make sure they are still square and then put your attention back on the judge. This shows that you are paying attention to your horse and the judge both. Good luck and have fun!