Getting Showmanship Savvy
Q I’m trying to find the right approach to convince my husband to prepare his gelding to compete in showmanship. It’s an event neither of us know much about. He doesn’t see the point of the class, but I think he’d do rather well in it.
A It’s not unusual for some people to feel awkward about showmanship. After all, it is the handler’s ability to show a halter horse that is being judged – their poise, efficiency, and confidence is in the spotlight!
Showmanship is an event in which the handler leads his horse through a prescribed pattern consisting of walking, trotting, backing, and pivots on the haunches of varying degrees. The horse needs to remain attentively by the side of the handler while they perform the pattern together, briskly and smoothly, with no visible signs of cueing from the lead shank. In the best presentations, the horse keeps in perfect step with the handler as if dancing while displaying no negative equine facial reactions such as ear pinning or an active mouth.
In a world where, more often than not, horses ignore, “tetherball” around, and step on the feet of their owners, it is refreshing to see a horse respecting his handler. It is a delight to work with a horse that is respectful of my space and mindful of my every move!
Whether or not a horse is to be shown in a showmanship class, I teach the skills to some degree to all the horses I train. Such respectful horses are more safe and saleable. They also are in the habit of listening closely and yielding to the least pressure – skills of value under saddle.
