[Mopper]

I am always looking for a few tips and hints to get me a "leg up" in showmanship. I have been National Top Five the last 2 years in it but I was wondering if you guys could give me any tips on how to really "wow" the judge. I show American Miniature Horses however "our" showmanship is just like western showmanship. So any tips or little tricks woud be greatly appreciated!

Is there any videos or books on it that you would reccomend?

Thanks!

[KellyJean]

Sounds like you're already doing fantastic! Congrats on making it to nationals

I don't have any tips, I don't show, but I wanted to say congrats anyway

Kelly

[Mopper]

Thanks KellyJean!

[Mopper]

anyone else? ANHYTHING...

[sonnysstar]

wow! thats terrific! Any advice i have probably wouldn't be needed since you have made it so far! The only thing i can say is practice, practice, practice!


Other than that, always smile, even if u forget the pattern (which i have done WAY too many times) and go into the arena knowing the pattern off by heart (unlike what I do) NEVER just do what the person in front of you did! (Again, I should be following my own advice, lol)

Good luck, and I hope this helps, but I bet you already knew all of this!

[ridegrrl]

Assuming your Miniature rules allow for the same tests, the things that stand out are handlers that have excellent, thoughtful and polite answers when I give a question, rather than sounding rehearsed, and handlers that are efficient, crisp, but don't look mechanical. As showmanship is roughly intended to introduce handlers to the art of showing in halter, I am looking for a handler that does his or her job, a perfect pattern, flawlessly turned out, but actually shows the horse too. I see so many handlers that have their part down pat, but ignore the horse on the end of the lead because they're too busy flashing their biggest smile at the judge.

[Mopper]

Thank you for your reply ridegrrl. I have read the rules over and over making sure I have everything right. And it does say show your horse not yourself. Would you reccomend smiling? I always smile..unless I am so nervous I can't, lol.

[ridegrrl]

You're welcome.

Say you've got 10 handlers and horses of exactly equal ability in a class, and all get their pattern and questions correct. The class will be won or lost based largely on the first impression the judge got.

So when you're first entering the ring, be at a crisp walk and look the judge straight in the eye (if you can, some judges will ignore you), and smile, genuinely, before looking where you're going again and carrying on down the rail. It's a way to silently introduce yourself, exuding a confident attitude that says "We're prepared, we look good, and we're ready to rock this class!" It's not about looking smug, but look ready, and look happy to be there.

[Mopper]

Okay, thank you! Great advice!

[ridegrrl]

Any time! Good luck!