Pottawatomie County 4-H Horse Club
Home - Horsemanship - Trail Class
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    Judge           Handler
A                    B
B                    A
C                    B
D                    A
Showmanship "Pie"
How to move from side-to-side to stay out of the judge's way!
Showmanship Pattern #1

Exhibitors will lead horses into arena. Line up facing center.

1  Set up for breed type.

2  Walk straight to judge.

3  Stop & set up for inspection.     When dismissed, pivot 180.

4  Trot back through line.

5  Pivot 180 and set up in line.
Showmanship Class
Appearance of horse
Hair coat, mane, tail, etc., will be clean and well brushed. Hooves trimmed properly; if shod, proper fit and neat clinches.  Ears may be clipped.  Long hair on jaw, legs should be clipped.  Tack should be clean, neat and in good repair.

Appearance of exhibitor
Clothes & person are to be neat & clean.  Suitable western/english clothes to be worn using tack to match attire style..

Exhibiting of horse
Proper leading, posing, poise, alertness and ability to perform pattern work showing teamwork between horse and exhibitor.
SHOWMANSHIP
...judges your ability to prepare & show your horse in hand.
Showmanship Pattern #2

1  Walk straight toward judge.

2  Trot without pause to cone 3

3  Stop & pivot 360 without pause.

4  Without hesitation, move horse to line up head-to-tail starting at marker 4..
Showmanship Pattern #3

1      Trot from marker 1 to 3.

3      Stop at marker 3 & pivot 360.

3-2   Back horse to marker 2.

2      Set up for inspection.

2-4  When dismissed, line up
        head-to-tail at marker 4.
ADUSTING THE LEAD SHANK CHAIN

1  Run the chain through the "near" side halter ring.

2  Run the chain under the jaw-but NOT through the bottom ring.

3  Run the chain through the "off" side halter ring.

4  Clip the snap to the "off" top halter ring.

This evenly distributes the pressure from the lead shank and gives you direct control of the horse from the near side.  The handler does NOT touch the chain to show. 

Colts or horses that have not been trained for showmanship at all may be shown with the chain doubled back through the bottom halter ring and clipped to itself.
THREE VERY BASIC SHOWMANSHIP PATTERNS
ANY HORSE CAN DO SHOWMANSHIP!
They don't have to be fast, young or beautiful.
They need to stand squarely, stand still, trot quietly at your side and pivot smoothly.
Shouldn't they ALL do that anyway?
A shorter chain, as shown in the black & white picture above, keeps the handler's hand close for more control.   A longer chain, as in the picture of the paint horse above, shows more advanced training.