Like horse shows in general, halter classes can range from small-scale classes at low-level shows, where multiple breeds of a certain type may show against in each other in a catch-all class like “English Type” or “Western Type,” to breed-specific classes at larger shows. So what exactly is the judge looking for in a halter class? In general, good basic conformation—overall balance, correct legs, strong hindquarters, et cetera—and movement. In breed-specific situations, the judge is comparing your horse to the breed association’s official breed type description; in some cases very minute details (size of the eyes, for example) will be considered.

Many halter classes can be broken into two phases. One is the inspection phase, in which the judge examines one horse at a time and analyzes conformation and type while checking for any disqualifications. Each horse is also judged at the walk and trot in order for the judge to evaluate movement and way of going. The second phase involves returning to the “line up,” where each horse and handler wait while the other competitors are inspected.

Different horse shows and classes will have different pattern requirements for halter classes. Some might want you to walk in for inspection and then trot away, some might require that all competitors come in trotting and then line up along the rail before inspection. Read and understand any posted patterns, watch any classes that are before yours, and listen carefully to instructions from the ringmaster or announcer.

Learn the specifics on how to show your breed or type. Some breeds, like Arabians, for instance, are shown in breed-specific tack and are positioned in a special way when standing in the ring. Some breeds are expected to be groomed differently than others (braiding, etc…) Find out what’s typical for your horse’s breed. Also, find out what you are expected to wear—it too can vary from breed to breed.

Like all horse show classes, grooming is important, but it is particularly important for halter. While the judge isn’t necessarily “judging” your horse’s grooming, if all things are equal and two horses are both excellent examples, the one with the better grooming job just might edge out the other. Give yourself enough time before the class to bathe, groom, polish hooves, braid, or whatever is required.

Remember, you and your horse are being judged during the entire halter class! Don’t stop showing just because you’re in the lineup of a very large class and other horses are being inspected.

Do you enjoy showing your horse in halter classes? Do you at compete at breed shows, or open shows? Let us know in the comments below.

This article about showing horses in halter classes originally appeared in Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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You’ve seen sleekly groomed western showmanship horses with expert skills move in sync with their handlers while outfitted in halters with shining silver. The horses stand at attention with their legs in perfect alignment. They walk, trot, pivot and stop with perfect cadence. Teaching your horse to move this way takes practice, but it can help you develop a partnership—one where you know your horse will cooperate no matter where you lead.

Top trainer Shaun Gloude, of Franktown, Colo., takes her clients to American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) World Championship Shows and is known for teaching with precision. Here, she describes what it takes to excel in showman- ship. You can teach your horse to move at your pace, stop, set up and pivot to prepare for every- day grooming or to work with a veterinarian or farrier. As you work consistently, your horse will understand your cues and offer his respect.

“Teaching a horse to respect his handler and perform certain maneuvers from the ground up is key,” says Gloude. “A confident, well-trained horse will exhibit good ground manners. He’ll allow the handler to control his every move. This control does not happen overnight. It could take months and some- times years. But once achieved, you will have earned a high level of respect from your horse.”

Walk This Way

SHOW-WORTHY MOVE: Your horse should walk next to you and move at the pace you decide. Make sure that your horse can walk in a straight line. Stand at your horse’s left side and extend your hand forward while applying pressure to the lead.

Your horse should move off freely when you ask and move straight forward in the direction you point. If your horse wants to bend away from the straight path, walk along a fence or alongside a ground pole to keep a straight line.

Next, increase your go-cue pressure, and as you start to jog, you should cue for the trot. If your horse resists this cue, don’t make eye contact.

Your horse may move to the side. Instead, keep your eyes forward and keep contact until your horse trots. Once he’s in the gait, keep moving, but make sure not to keep pulling. Releasing pressure serves as the reward for your horse picking up the trot.

AROUND THE BARN: You’ll want your horse to focus and move at your speed when you’re moving through a stall door or gate. It’s also important that your horse will walk straight past another horse when needed. Plus, if your horse can easily trot on command, your veterinarian will appreciate this skill during pre-purchase or lameness evaluations.

Stop and Pose

SHOW-WORTHY MOVE: When it’s time to stop, say “whoa” to alert the horse that he should stop in a straight line with his legs squarely beneath him. Once he’s stopped, turn to stand facing his left shoulder. Make sure you’re never directly in front of your horse to ensure that you can’t be run over.

To square your horse’s legs, move your right hand gently toward your horse’s right hind leg. Holding the lead rope while pointing your hand at the hoof that you want to move cues your horse with halter pressure.

Once the right hind foot is positioned in line with the left rear, praise him. Your horse will gain confidence from the praise and will learn your intricate cues. Make sure your cues are consistent each time. Ideally, your horse will stop and set up easily with little to no movement from your hand. Work up to this with repetition.

The perfect set-up is not trainable overnight. It may take years to develop this as one of your western showmanship skills. Once the horse is trained with consistency, proficiency will follow.

AROUND THE BARN: You’ll need your horse to stop and be patient as you open a gate or do any small chore. Your horse will need to stop and set up nicely for farrier appointments and to stand balanced as you pick his hooves.

Round and Round

SHOW-WORTHY MOVE: In a show, your horse must keep his right hind foot still during the pivot turn. Your horse will need to turn 360 degrees in most show patterns.

To cue for this, turn your body to face your horse’s jaw. Your horse will move his shoulders away from your body, pivoting to the right. As the horse starts to grasp the concept, ask for a sharper turn. Lift your right hand to shift the horse’s weight to his hind end.

AROUND THE BARN: Knowing that you can pivot your horse will help you make tight turns in a wash rack or anywhere you may need to turn sharply.

“A handler that fully develops each of these skills in their horse will have a horse that is rewarded by the judges as well as appreciated at home,” says Gloude.

Thanks to Lexi Radic and Incredibly Natural for assistance with these photos.

This article on western showmanship skills appeared in the February 2020 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) hosted the 2019 World Championship Appaloosa Show at Will Rogers Memorial Center, where nearly 600 of the best horses in the breed were in attendance. This marked 30 consecutive years that the prestigious event has been held in Fort Worth, Texas. France and Italy, two Canadian provinces and 43 U.S. states were represented at this year’s show.

The ApHC was established in 1938 with a mission of preserving, promoting and enhancing the Appaloosa breed and has since registered more than 700,000 Appaloosas, which are known for their distinctive color, intelligence and their even temperament. True to their reputation as an extremely versatile breed, Appaloosas can be found in nearly every discipline, including racing and endurance riding, and they make reliable family horses. The international breed registry is headquartered in Moscow, Idaho, the heart of the Palouse region, the Appaloosa breed’s namesake and point of origin.

The nine-day event consisted of 85 non-pro and 97 open classes, as well as 37 specialty classes hosted by the Appaloosa Cutting Horse Association (ApCHA), Appaloosa Reining Horse Association (ApRHA), Appaloosa Halter Futurity (AHF), Appaloosa Pleasure Horse Association (ApPHA) and the Appaloosa Game Horse Association (AGHA). Participants who took part in these classes showcased the skills and abilities of their horses while also receiving cash and prizes. Throughout the course of the show, 2,200 entries were shown. Classes with the most entries included non-pro ranch riding and senior trail, with 31 and 33 entries, respectively.

A highlight of the show included the Open Most Colorful at Halter class, sponsored by Flying W Appaloosa Ranch in memory of Jim Wild where the first-, second- and third-place winners received memorial awards totaling $1,500. Like the impressive coat patterns of Appaloosas in Most Colorful, another class that catches the attention of spectators each year is Freestyle Reining, where exhibitors perform original choreographed patterns to music. This year’s title was claimed by NU Circle N Sign, ridden by Jane Cairo to the tune of Marie Laveau by Bobby Bare.

The Progressive Social is always a special evening during the show and a great way to mix and mingle with other show attendees. This year it was held Sunday, October 27, with courses sponsored by Sue Scobee, Maestas Show Horses, Carol Jones–American Acres, and John and Debby Letham. Attendees not only enjoyed delicious food, they also entered for the chance to win prizes donated by sponsors, vendors, members and local businesses.

The Appaloosa Horse Club was thankful to the members, exhibitors, and sponsors who make the World Championship Appaloosa Show possible. A passion for the Appaloosa brings people together each year for this memorable event.

The ApHC is now beginning preparations for the 73rd National Championship Appaloosa Show & 2020 World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas, June 26–July 4, 2020. Visit www.appaloosa.com for the most up-to-date information regarding this upcoming event.

For additional coverage of the 2019 World Championship Appaloosa Show, pick up your copy of the January 2020 issue of Appaloosa Journal.

To learn more about the Appaloosa Horse Club and its events, please visit www.appaloosa.com or call ApHC at 208-882-5578.

2019 World Championship Appaloosa Show Award Standings

– World’s Best Appaloosa: Mr Shining Gun, owned by Jim Jirkovsky of Whitesboro, TX, bred by Dennis M. Herman of Maiden, N.C.
– Reserve World’s Best Appaloosa: Shes Sleepin Single, owned by Taylor Wiemers of Ruthven, Iowa and Debra K. Gerber of Bixby, Okla., bred by Margaret Ann Jentz of South Bend, Ind.
– World Show Leading Breeder: Char-O-Lot Ranch of Myakka City, Fla.
– Open Overall High-Point Exhibitor: Cody Wayne Crow of Johnstown, Colo.
– All-Around Non-Pro: DeeAnna McBride of Costa Mesa, Calif., on A Spotless Blue Boy
– Champion Cattle Horse: Mr Shining Gun, owned by Jim Jirkovsky of Whitesboro, Texas, bred by Dennis M. Herman of Maiden, N.C.
– Champion Western Horse: Shes Sleepin Single, owned by Taylor Wiemers of Ruthven, Iowa, and Debra K. Gerber of Bixby, Okla., bred by Margaret Ann Jentz of South Bend, Ind.
– Champion English Horse: William Grant, owned by Michael Shepherd of Aubrey, Texas, and Holly Janak of Shiner, Texas, bred by Nancy Magnussen of College Station, Texas
– Reserve Champion English Horse: CQ Royal Blue, owned and bred by Kathleen Byrd of Natchitoches, La.
– Champion Games Horse: Sold As Iz, owned by Amy Hudson of Finleyville, Penn., bred by Becky Johnson of Coal City, Ill.
– Champion Ranch Horse: NU Circle N Sign, owned by Jane Cairo and Rene Cairo of Live Oak, Fla., bred by Jim Dobler and Heather McLevin of Delburne, Alberta, Canada
– Open High-Point Over Fences Horse: Downtothelastdetail, owned by The Hulcher Family of Pilot Point, Texas, bred by Jennifer Marcom of Whitesboro, Texas
– Open High-Point Over Fences Horse: William Grant, owned by Michael Shepherd of Aubrey, Texas, and Holly Janak of Shiner, Texas, bred by Nancy Magnussen of College Station, Texas
– Non-Pro High-Point Over Fences Horse: Hez So Irresistible, owned by Janet Murray of Hampstead, N.H. and Amanda Soffron of Dedham, Mass., bred by Sheree L. Koehler of Roberts, Wisc.
– High-Point Non-Pro: Richard Schlough of Reedsburg, Wisc.
– High-Point 35 & Over Non-Pro: Kelley Sweeney of Broad Brook, Conn.
– High-Point Masters Non-Pro: Dr. Ted Zajak III of Coopersburg, Penn.
– High-Point Novice Non-Pro: Katelyne Tiffany of Belchertown, Mass.
– High-Point Walk/Trot Non-Pro: Stephanie Troup Sonnenberg of Lambertville, Mich.
– Champion Non-Pro Games Horse: LM Red Hot Special, owned by Heather Faeth and Lynn A. Faeth of Fort Madison, Iowa, bred by Larry Meadows and Diane Meadows of Mize, Miss.
– Champion Non-Pro Cattle Horse: Taris Lucky Draw, owned by Richard Schlough of Reedsburg, Wisc., bred by Jody Rafel and Jorlyce Rafel of Hillsboro, Wisc.
– Champion Non-Pro Ranch Horse: Highly Spotageous, owned by Teresa Job of Sonora, Calif., bred by Gillian Baxter Galligan of Petaluma, Calif.
– Champion Non-Pro Halter Exhibitor: Abigail Beck of Stockton, Calif.
– Champion Non-Pro Western Exhibitor: Ty Wilkerson of Slippery Rock, Penn.
– Champion Non-Pro Showmanship/Equitation Exhibitor: DeeAnna McBride of Costa Mesa, Calif.
– Champion Non-Pro English Exhibitor: Amanda Soffron of Dedham, Mass.
– Non-Pro Sportsmanship Award: Tina Jackson of Canton, Kan.
– Elite Custom Saddles Open Sportsmanship Award: Jamie Phillips of Ninnekah, Okla.

The post 2019 World Championship Appaloosa Show: Celebrating 30 Years in Fort Worth appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) welcomed nearly 1,000 Morgan horses to the 2019 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show. Held at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Okla., October 12-19, the best of the breed competed in a wide range of disciplines and classes running in four rings concurrently. Horses were shown in divisions including pleasure driving, English pleasure, hunter pleasure, in-hand, park, western pleasure, jumping, trail and more.

Complete results at the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show are available online.

Excellence in equitation is valued by the AMHA and is recognized through the AMHA Medal classes, held at local and regional Morgan and all-breed shows throughout the competition year. AMHA is pleased to announce the following riders as the 2019 Gold Medal recipients in their respective seats.

• Catriona Kozijn (Alberta, Canada)
• Alayna LoCascio (Dayton, Ohio)
• Sydney LoCascio (Dayton, Ohio)
• Nick Madsen (Cave Creek, Ariz.)
• Olivia Mauldin (Choctaw, Okla.)
• Moira Taber (Shoshone, Idaho)

Read more about the AMHA Gold Medal program.

Nineteen promising young Morgan exhibitors also competed in the AMHA Youth of the Year competition. Taylor Hudson of Fairview, Pa., took home the win as Youth of the Year and Clea Cloutier of Derry, N.H., was named reserve champion. Read more about the AMHA Youth of the Year program and results.

Megan Gallagher of Grass Valley, Calif., was awarded the $1,500 AMHA Young Adult Alliance Judging School Scholarship for her interest in earning her Morgan R judging card and strengthening the breed with other amateurs and professionals. Read more about the scholarship.

Follow AMHA and US Equestrian

The American Morgan Horse Association is a recognized affiliate of U.S. Equestrian. Keep up with future news of the Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show® on Facebook and with the Morgan horse all year long by following AMHA on Facebook and Twitter.

Read More About the Morgan Horse:

• Morgan Horse
• The Morgan Horse
• Morgans for Everyone
• Driven to Succeed: Morgan

The post Morgan Breed’s Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show Wraps Up in Oklahoma City appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Q: I have a 7-year-old pony named Timmy. One problem I often face is not having enough time for riding some days, so I longe Timmy a lot. He does very well on a longeline, but it can get kind of boring. What other things can you do with your horse when you aren’t riding?

A: Here are some ground work exercises from Young Rider that you can do when you aren’t riding.

Longeing is the first form of ground work that Young Rider recommends a lot of people do when they don’t have enough time to ride. It is a great way to give your horse some exercise when you can’t ride, but going around in circles does get boring for both of you. If Timmy has been standing in a stall or small corral for a while when you get out to the barn, you can let him walk and jog on the longeline to get warmed up, then move on to some other activities that will engage his brain.

Practicing showmanship patterns is another ground work exercise that Young Rider recommends that can challenge yourself and your horse while improving your communication. You can find plenty of practice patterns online, or work on the individual elements. This includes turns and pivots in place, asking your horse to walk, jog, halt, and back readily, and to stand square until you give him the cue to move off. The goal is precision. You want to be able to ask Timmy to back exactly four steps or turn 90 degrees to the left, for example, and have him respond quietly to your cue and halt immediately when you ask. It’s harder than it sounds!

You can use cones to mark the spot where you’re going to turn, halt or change gaits, but one of the great things about showmanship patterns is that they don’t require any extra equipment. You can even make up straight-line patterns to do in the barn aisle if you don’t have an arena available.

Another option for ground work that Young Rider recommends is to practice in-hand trail obstacles. Set up some ground poles in the shape of an L and lead your horse forward and backward through them. Have him sidepass over the same obstacle, keeping his front feet on one side of the poles and his hind feet on the other. Practice walking him over a tarp and having him stand calmly while you drape a raincoat over his back. Set up cones to weave through in a serpentine pattern at a walk and jog.

These obstacles do take a bit more time to set up, but you can also use them to practice the same exercises under saddle on days when you have time to tack up and ride.

This article originally appeared in the January/February 2018 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Well Equipped

First, know the rules and follow them when practicing and showing.

Showmanship is a class that’s all about presenting your horse and controlling him through the halter and lead shank, says Sharon.

Be sure that the halter fits the horse and the lead rope or shank is acceptable for the class.

1. Proper Position

The first step for a showmanship class setup is having the right position.

“Stand next to the horse with your right hand at the same height and close to where the chain comes out of the hardware of the noseband and chin strap of the halter,” says Sharon. “When your hand drops, it pulls the chain down and makes it hard for the horse to follow commands.”

Keep a slight bend in your right elbow, and your right arm slightly ahead of your left. Your left arm should be at your side, and bent at the elbow so that your forearm is parallel to the ground.

Stand with your shoulder at the horse’s throatlatch or slightly behind. Keep your eyes and chin up, stand up straight and keep your eyes forward.

2. Pull & Push

The second step for a showmanship class setup is to pull & push. Now that you’re standing in the right spot in the proper position, it’s time to ensure that your horse is listening.

Sharon says to start slow. Pull your horse forward a step or two, then push him back a step or two using the lead shank. Do this until he is responding to light pressure on the lead without you pulling or dragging him. Now, pull and push the horse side to side. Look for him to be light and ready to move. This is preparation for asking the horse to set up his feet square.

3. Setup in a Snap

The third step for a showmanship class is to set up your horse. Setting a horse up is more than simply squaring his feet. A horse is judged on presentation in showmanship, not conformation. But part of the presentation is knowing how to show off your horse to his best advantage. When practicing, set him up so his front and back legs are aligned in a balanced position directly underneath his body.

Start by walking forward and asking your horse to stop. Then, turn your body perpendicular to his, where the center of your chest is at the horse’s eye. Use the same cue from the push-pull exercise to ask him to move his feet.

“The goal is to have your horse’s front feet even and underneath the shoulder, and then have the back feet even and square under his hips,” says Sharon. “Be sure not to pull the front feet too far forward, where he appears stretched out.”

4. Ideal Inspection

The fourth step for a showmanship class setup is to prepare for the ideal inspection. The setup is the first part of the inspection. After the horse is set, you will look at the judge, and the judge will start to walk a circle around the horse. This is when you should move around the horse, showing him off for the judge.

“During inspection, we use the quarter method, dividing the horse into fourths,” Sharon explains. Picture a line from poll to tail and across the shoulders. When the judge is standing from the shoulders forward, you should stand on the opposite side of the horse. From the withers back, you should be positioned on the same side of the horse as the judge.

The reasoning is so that the judge can have a clear view of front portion of the horse, and stay safe around the side and back of the horse if the horse were to act up, says Sharon.

Slide your hand up and down the lead as you move from side to side. This keeps the horse from feeling pressure on the lead, and discourages him from moving forward.

Putting it All Together

Once you and your horse know how to perform the elements of a pattern—walk, trot, turn and setup—be sure to practice entire patterns. Showmanship judges reward handlers that show confidence in the ability of their horse, Sharon says.

She also reminds you that presentation is important in showmanship.

“The judges see you, your hat, clothing, the horse’s halter and cleanliness of your horse as you start the pattern. Make a good first impression. Then, responsiveness of the horse when executing the maneuvers—walk, trot, stop, setup, turns and inspection—is judged.”

Be ready with a smile and confidence in your horse!

This article originally appeared in the July/August 2017 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Western Lesson: Showmanship Setup appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Few things mark you as a greenhorn versus a pro like the shape, style and fit of your hat. Properly outfitted, your hat is your crowning glory. Poorly shaped, your hat will brand you as sloppy, inexperienced or worse.

Discover your perfect hat style and shape with these tips from custom hat designer Barbara Maitia and American Paint Horse Association all-around trainer Tim Gillespie.

First Impressions

Ask just about any western judge what they first notice about a competitor, and they’ll probably tell you it’s their hat. Often seen wearing a crisply shaped western hat himself, Gillespie has decades of experience with all-around competition, and he is adamant about the fit, style and shape of his clients’ hats.
“So many judges I’ve talked to over the years have told me that if you are going to invest in anything to make sure you look good when you walk into the pen, you need to invest in your hat,” Gillespie says.

He says it’s noticeable to a judge—and others—when your hat is poor quality, ill-fitting or badly shaped. Even if your hat was once properly shaped to your face, if you’ve left it out in the sun or stored it in a hatbox in a hot trailer for two years, the hat won’t look the same. “The hat shows if somebody really takes pride in their appearance,” Gillespie says.

To purchase a western hat, enlist the help of a professional. Gillespie looks to hatters with booths at horse shows for their expertise, including Barbara Maitia of Barbara’s Custom Hats in Fort Worth, Texas. For over 10 years, she has been pairing riders with the right hats, as well as shaping hats to fit riders.

Sized Right

Even the sharpest-looking hat is no good if it doesn’t fit. “A properly fitted hat not only looks professional, it’s essential for comfort, and most importantly, it won’t fly off while competing,” Maitia says.

Gillespie adds that it should also sit level on your head without tipping forward or backward.

Finding this balance is the job of a hat professional. Maitia says a hat should fit snug initially, but not too tight, resting about a finger above the top of your ears. It should not want to “pop off” when you try it on, and it should be comfortable.

Not all hats fit all people, especially if you have a round head. “Most hats are made long-oval, and not everyone has a long-oval head size,” Maitia says. “If your head is very round, most of the off-the-shelf hats will not fit properly, and adjustments have to be made for them to fit. Typically, you would go up a size and then pad the front and back. In the reverse situation, someone with a very long-oval head will have large gaps by the temples. You would need to custom-pad the hat to fit comfortably and stay on while you ride.”

A properly fitted black hat is always classy and stylish.

Style Profile

The style of your hat, crown size and brim length will depend on several factors. These include the events you’re competing in, that season’s trends and your face shape.

Style: Your best resource will be a good hatter, who will know what’s “in” for each discipline. But no matter what, the shape should complement your face.

“Each discipline has a typical look, but not every trending fashion look is suitable for everyone’s facial structure,” says Maitia.

Crown Size: “The crown size—how tall the hat is—is very important,” says Gillespie. “It should be proportional to your face structure. I prefer the crown to be brought down a little bit lower for a smaller person. And I prefer to narrow the top of the crown to match your face.”

Brim: The most important part of the hat’s shape, in Gillespie’s opinion, is the sharp corners at the front of the brim. “I like a nice, flat front brim with really tight, squared corners at the sides of your face,” he says. The corners should be in line with your cheekbones.

“If a person’s face is a little wider, I like a little wider crease in front,” says Gillespie. “If the hat is going on a child or someone with a narrower face, I like the crease to be a little bit more narrow. But it’s very important to have a nice pleasure crease.” The western pleasure crease refers to sharp corners on the front of the brim.

Gillespie says some riders prefer the side brims to be more upright than others, but that can be left up to your personal taste, as long as the back of the brim has a nice rounded shape.

Back to Basics

Styles change all the time, notes Maitia. Things that are falling out of favor in the show pen include tall and pointed crown heights and small, 3 ¾-inch brims. While popular in the rodeo arena and casual western wear, flat brims, extremely pulled-down brims, 5-inch brims, big and chunky hat bands, and stampede strings are all unpopular in all-around events.

Both Maitia and Gillespie recommend a good quality black hat.

“Start with a traditional hat, and then when you can afford different, fun hats, go for it,” Gillespie says. “But above all, make sure it’s shaped well. You can get away with wearing a simple black shirt in pleasure or horsemanship if you have on a really good hat. You’re going to look like you know what you’re doing. Invest in the hat before your buy the fancy jacket.”

Maitia feels that your hat completes your look, and the style makes a personal statement about you.

“If in doubt, choose the more traditional, classy look—it’s always a winner,” Maitia says. “It’s OK to be different and trendy, but it’s always best to be tasteful and respectful for the discipline you are showing.”

Buy the best quality hat you can afford. Higher quality hats hold their shape better.

All my Xs

Hat quality is expressed in X’s. You should choose the highest number of X’s you can afford. Gillespie recommends at least 20X. Maitia says a 100X hat is 100 percent fur, typically beaver. A 2X, 3X or 4X hat is made of a felt/wool or fur blend.

“It’s much harder to maintain the crisp shape of a lesser-quality hat,” says Maitia. “They’re typically not designed for the long haul. These blends need to be shaped more often and are sensitive to the extreme showing elements, such as dust, rain, heat and humidity. Spending a little money on a better-quality hat up front will save money and time.”

Related:
The Latest Looks for Western All-Around

Abigail Boatwright is a freelance writer and photographer based in Texas.

This article originally appeared in the May 2016 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Selecting a Hat for the Western Show Pen appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The showmanship division was created to help exhibitors learn the correct technique for showing a horse at halter. In order to assess a horse’s conformation, the judge needs to see him standing square. While conformation isn’t a factor in showmanship, competitors must demonstrate that they know how to present a horse to his best advantage by squaring him up quickly and correctly.

Getting Started

Marianne Bartley-Lehman, an American Quarter Horse Association Professional Horseman and judge based in Midway, Ky., explains that your horse needs to have a solid foundation before you can fine-tune him for showmanship.

“Your horse should have some basic skills, such as knowing how to walk beside you,” explains Bartley-Lehman. “When you push forward on the shank and cluck to move faster, he should at least think about trotting. He should show some signs of give when you push back on the shank.”

One of the most important ingredients of a showmanship horse is a solid understanding of “whoa.” Your horse needs to know that when you tell him “whoa,” it means to stop and stand still until given a cue to move.

“Tell your horse to whoa and then help him stand still,” says Bartley-Lehman. “Don’t say it and then spank him or snatch on him [to try and stop him from moving his feet]. These types of actions can undo anything you may have taught him.

“If he’s not still after the command, calmly and consistently correct him by bumping him with the chain and stepping back,” adds Bartley-Lehman. “Start softly and gradually increase the pressure until you get the desired result.” When he gets it right, reward him with a release of pressure, a pat on the neck, and occasionally a small treat. “The key here is to teach the horse the importance of whoa in a consistent, calm manner.”

Communication is Key

Once your horse is able to halt and stand consistently at your command, you can move on to the next steps of teaching him to square up. This is a very specific goal, and it may take several training sessions before your horse starts to get it right. Be calm and patient, and don’t allow yourself to get frustrated.

“It’s best to work with your horse on squaring up in short, daily sessions, about 15 to 30 minutes,” says Bartley-Lehman. “You must first be sure he will stand still and quietly for a period of time. Start with five minutes and work up to 15 minutes or more.”
You will be penalized if you touch your horse during the class, so your goal is to be able to cue your horse using just your lead shank and body language.

“Once your horse understands how to stand quietly, you’ll need to work on a communication system for moving your horse’s feet forward and back,” explains Bartley-Lehman. “Maintain a level with your hand that is comfortable for the horse’s stature; ideally your hand should be even with the side ring of the halter. Then use even, forward and backward pressure to ask your horse to move his feet forward and back. When the foot is where you want it, lift on the halter, say ‘whoa,’ loosen up on the shank, and then step back a little bit to indicate you no longer want your horse to move his feet.

“A common mistake people make when asking their horse to move his feet is to pull downward on the shank,” continues Bartley-Lehman. “Horses naturally are fearful of their heads being restrained downward; the result is a resistant horse and a frustrated handler.”

Once you have the backward and forward cues established, you can work on refining individual foot placement. This will take patience and careful practice. Pay attention to how your horse reacts to your cues, and use no more pressure than what is required to get a response from him.

“Teach your horse which foot to move by moving the shank a little to the left or right as you apply pressure,” says Bartley-Lehman. “Think of shifting the weight off of the foot you need your horse to move. Every horse is different; that’s why it takes time and consistency to build up a communication system with your horse.”

Perfecting the showmanship stance requires a great deal of practice. Short sessions every day will get you the best results for a consistent performance from your horse. During your practice sessions, you can pick up and place a foot where it needs to be or gently push on your horse’s withers to get him to even out. However, use these hands-on methods sparingly, as they would be severely penalized in competition and you don’t want to become dependent on them.

If you need to adjust the placement of your horse’s feet during the class, make sure you do so quickly and quietly and without obstructing the judge’s view of your horse. Bartley-Lehman explains that working too hard for a perfect stance can actually work against you if you can’t get the stance you want quickly and smoothly.

“If you can quickly fix your horse’s feet to perfection without being in the judge’s way, then do it,” says Bartley-Lehman. “But more often than not, you will need to wait for the judge to move before you fix the feet. Being quick and having the feet pretty close to square is better than taking forever to achieve perfection. If your horse moves his feet, some judges will step back and wait for you to acknowledge and fix the error. In that case, you will need to fix the feet immediately.”

Finding Faults

Before you put in the time and effort to perfect your horse’s foot placement, make sure the stance you’re going for is actually square. All four feet should be evenly placed underneath his body. with his cannon bones perpendicular to the ground.

“The most common fault I see is the exhibitor who keeps inching the front feet forward to get them even, and the next thing you know their Quarter Horse is parked out like a Morgan,” says Bartley-Lehman. “Occasionally I will see an exhibitor stand the horse up camped under, and every so often someone will appear to forget to set the horse up at all.”

As an exhibitor, you want to demonstrate to the judge that you are aware of what your horse is doing at all times while being judged.

“Even if you stop at the judge and your horse stops perfectly square, you should turn and check your horse, showing acknowledgement that he is square by saying ‘whoa,’ taking a step back to show your horse, and looking up at the judge with confidence,” says Bartley-Lehman.

“The great thing about working with your horse on showmanship, and especially the skill of squaring up, is the communication and bond you build up with your equine partner,” says Bartley-Lehman.

Find out how to fit your horse’s halter for showmanship >>

Special thanks to our models Jennifer Lewis and American Quarter Horse gelding Jetoes Sorrel Man for demonstrating these tips.

This article originally appeared in the April 2013 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Teach Your Horse to Square up for Showmanship Classes appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Everyone wants a gorgeous tail in the show-ring. Once you get to the bigger stock-breed shows, tail extensions are common. Check with your association’s rules, however, before you spring for a tail extension. Arabians and Morgans, for example, must be shown with natural tails. Also consider that on some show circuits, like in local and 4-H competitions, a tail extension can look out of place.

“Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, we weren’t allowed to use false tails, so we did everything we could to get tails to grow,” says Lynn Salvatori Palm, whose Fox Grove Farm is located in Ocala, Fla. A longtime clinician with a successful competition record, Palm has won nearly three dozen world and reserve world championships. The 2007 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Horsewoman of the Year, Palm has a record four AQHA Superhorse wins and is also an AQHA judge. “Now, in the stock horse world [Quarter Horses and Paints], using tail extensions is the trend. It’s gotten to where just about everyone is doing it. In most western classes, the trend is for big, thick tails.”

“Thirty years ago we shortened tails to the hock; now we want them down to the fetlock, and bigger is better,” says Barb Delf, owner of Custom Tails of Blue Grass, Iowa. In business since 1999, the company custom-manufactures tail extensions.

To be sure the extension you order matches your horse’s natural tail, Delf recommends standing about 10 feet from your horse and matching the color you see. The outer tail hair will “veil” the extension when it’s attached.

Expect to pay anywhere from about $85 to $500, depending on the color and weight of the extension. The most common colors (black, sorrel and chestnut) are less expensive than colors like gray, flaxen or white. Certain horses, such as Paints, have bi-color or tri-color tails, which require extensions with a mix of colors. You can specify either a blunt or natural-tapered end.

“Tennessee Walking Horses and Saddlebreds have been using tail extensions for much longer than the stock horse industry,” says Delf. “In these breeds, they want the tail dragging on the ground, so the extensions can be as long as 8 to 10 feet.”

Weighted Tails

“The ‘big tail’ look is popular in the stock horse industry, and you see more and more people going with weighted tails,” says Delf. “The trend now is for the horse to carry the tail flat against the rump, and the weighted tails achieve that. The tail extension itself weighs from 1/2 to 2 pounds. The weight system can add anywhere from another 4 ounces to 1 pound.”

Weighted tails were made legal for AQHA shows in 2012. Tail extensions and weighted tails can be used in any class except versatility ranch horse and ranch horse pleasure.

Some companies, such as Custom Tails, have interchangeable weight systems, allowing you to use none, some or all of the weights, which come in 4-ounce increments. This is convenient because it lets you customize the weight and use the extension on more than one horse.

Delf notes that the preferred weight of the extension varies according to discipline. For example, heavy tails are typically used for western pleasure and hunt seat classes, while lighter tails are used for reiners, cutters, jumpers and barrel horses.
“Riders in English disciplines realize the value of having a balanced look and are definitely using extensions, although you see them more on hunters than jumpers,” says Delf. “They normally use a lighter extension (usually 1/2 to 3/4 pounds) than stock horse owners.”

Directions for Use

There are several ways to attach an extension to a horse’s tail. Delf finds the most popular extensions for ease of use are those with a braided horsehair loop or braided ties. The AQHA rule, as of 1997, states, “Tails may be lengthened by hair-to-hair attachment only, with no attachments of any kind to the tail bone.”

For best results, follow the directions carefully. Where you position the extension will determine how long it hangs. You can braid it in anywhere from the lower third of the tail bone to all the way at the end of the bone.

If the extension is braided in below the tail bone, you will get more of a pendulum effect,” says Delf. “When it’s braided higher on the tail bone, the bone acts as a brake [so the tail won’t swing as much].”

What about those obviously false tails at shows that get caught between the horses’ back legs?

Delf explains that this can happen when a rider uses too thick of an extension for the horse. In that case, a lighter one may solve the problem. If the extension and/or the actual tail are dirty or tangled, the hair may get caught. Static electricity or rough chestnuts on the inner legs may also be to blame. Make sure chestnuts are smooth, and spray a silicone-based grooming product inside the horse’s hind legs.

Tail extensions are intended for competition use only. Braid them in the morning of your show or event, and take them out once you’re done for the day. Leaving the extension in overnight is a big no-no. It could get caught on something or stepped on when your horse has been lying down and gets up. Either scenario can cause damage to the extension and/or your horse’s tail.

Since extensions are made of 100 percent real horse hair, you care for them just as you would your horse’s tail.

“A clean, free-flowing tail will give you the prettiest look, so I suggest washing the extension after every day of showing,” says Delf.

Let the tail extension air dry thoroughly before storing it in a protective hanging bag made specifically for this use. Look for one with a zipper guard to prevent hairs from getting caught and damaging the extension.

Liked this article? Here’s more on grooming for the show pen:
Video: Western Show Grooming
Banding Your Horse’s Mane
No-Fail Tail Care

CYNTHIA McFARLAND is an Ocala, Florida-based freelance writer and horse owner. The author of eight books, her latest is Cow-Horse Confidence: A Time-Honored Approach to Stockmanship, co-authored with Martin Black.

This article originally appeared in the June 2014 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Tail Extensions for Western Show Horses appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

A million thoughts can race through your mind before the judge turns to you, but you can confidently enter the arena with the following pointers from American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) judges and Professional Horsemen Gigi Bailey, Valerie Kearns and Jeff Greaves.

“We want you to do well,” says Bailey, a longtime AQHA judge and successful horse trainer from Maribel, Wis. “I think there’s probably no one who is as big a cheerleader for showmanship exhibitors than the judges. We want to see a ballet performance that’s synchronized between the horse and handler, is beautiful to watch, and is correct. We’re not your enemies.”

The judges want to see you succeed. Here they offer their insight on what makes a showmanship competitor stand out, in both good and bad ways.

Prep Your Pony

DO:

• Show a well-groomed, properly trimmed horse in a clean and polished halter.
• Style the mane by banding, braiding or roaching it.

DON’T:

• Use bands that are contrasting in color to your horse’s mane if your bands are not straight.
• Have an ill-fitting halter—it should be fitted to the horse’s face and not hang or gap.

“Sometimes I think that we miss the point of the class,” says Bailey. “Exhibitors are so good about getting themselves all cleaned up and ready to go, but their halter may hang off their horse’s nose or it just might not fit.” Bailey reminds exhibitors that in the bigger picture, details like halter fit do matter—showmanship class isn’t just about you looking good and executing a pattern well. “If you reach back to the origin of the class, it’s about how to best show a halter horse,” she says.

Dress to Impress

DO:

• Have polished boots.
• Have a nicely shaped hat.
• Make sure your clothing fits correctly—it shouldn’t be too tight or hanging off your body.
• Have a neat, professional appearance, whether it’s a suit, custom outfit or nice slacks and a shirt.
• Wear an outfit that you are comfortable in.

DON’T:

• Wear pants that are too short—it’s noticeable and distracting to the overall image.
• Enter with muddy boots or a dusty hat.
• Forget to check your outfit from all angles, including the rear view.

“It doesn’t have to be anything fancy or over the top,” says Kearns, a first-year AQHA judge from Grayslake, Ill., with several years experience training All-American Quarter Horse Congress winners and AQHA World champions. “I like a suit just as well as I like something custom-made. Polished boots and a nicely shaped hat make just as big of an impression to me as the outfit itself. Those things show me that you care about the way the overall presentation has turned out.”

Have the Right Attitude

DO:

• Look like you enjoy showing.
• Smile.

DON’T:

• Be uncomfortable, stiff or fake.

“Don’t hide your face under your hat,” says judge and trainer Jeff Greaves of Galva, Ill. “I want to see your expression—whether you’re panicking or comfortable. If you look like you want to be there and you’re happy, I want to place you. As a judge, when you’re sitting there judging four hours of showmanship, you remember those people.”

Managing Maneuvers

AQHA judges use a score sheet to award, penalize or leave a neutral score for each maneuver in the class. With this objective review of your performance, you can see which specific areas you need to improve on.

The Right Set Up

DO:

• Practice so you have control over each foot and can direct your horse’s feet in about two steps, or less than four seconds.

DON’T:

• Leave your horse parked out. A stretched stance is a more severe fault than misaligned feet. A horse needs to be in-frame in order to move to the next element.

“There’s no substitute for time spent,” Bailey says. “When you go to set your horse up in showmanship, the judges will know whether you have a system with your horse—if you can guide each foot where you want it to go—or whether you just push, pull, back up and lead him forward until you hope he falls in place. We’re going to know that.”

Quality Quarters

DO:

• Move at a consistent speed.
• Check your horse and his foot position each time you change sides. The judge wants to see that you are aware of your horse’s alignment.

DON’T:

• Be too quick and snappy; it may appear forced.
• Take only one large step to cross in front of your horse; take natural steps.

Inspection Correction

What should you do if your horse moves during the inspection?

DO:

• Try to correct his feet again.

DON’T:

• Give up on the rest of the pattern; continue as if you didn’t make a mistake.

“Sometimes I’ll see that in exhibitor’s faces,” says Bailey. “Their horse moves and they give up.” Bailey says if you stop showing, she stops judging. Act as if you didn’t make a mistake. Though the judge may have docked points for an error, a strong finish leaves a good impression. It’s also possible the judge didn’t even catch the fault.

Backing

DO:

• Practice often so your horse moves readily off your cue.
• Back straight, steadily and rhythmically. Don’t worry about speed—just be consistent.

DON’T:

• Stand in front of your horse to back him up, a severe and dangerous fault.
• Quit on the back-up just because it’s crooked. Although it’s still a fault, the judges like to see you try to fix your line while you’re backing.

“I would like you to show me that you can handle your horse and fix him on the move,” Greaves says. “I like to see a horse that backs off of your space. If that hand gets back to the horse’s throatlatch, he’s not backing readily.”

Proper Pivots

DO:

• Turn at a steady and consistent speed.
• Anchor the pivot on the right hind foot. A left-hind anchored pivot is not a fault, but per AQHA recommendations, in the case of a tie, a horse with a right-foot pivot will place over one with a left-foot pivot.
• Practice squaring your horse upon completion of the pivot.

DON’T:

• Bend the horse’s head and neck around.
• Be crooked when coming out of the pivot. Line up your horse’s topline with the judge so that he’s straight from the tail through the withers.
• Overstep or understep. Be sure to stop straight and square.

“I like to see your hand not have to work,” says Greaves. “I try to teach my horses to keep the left hind foot caught up with the right. There’s usually four steps with the left hind in a pivot.”

For patterns where you’re required to line up your horse’s hip to the judge and pivot to face the judge, Kearns offers a tip:

“In order for you to nail the hip at the judge, you need to have a system,” she says. “Most horses’ body lengths are three to four steps long. You need to know, for your horse, how many steps it takes to be able to nail that hip on the point you’re trying to hit, and practice so that you’re not leaving it to chance. If you’re over or under after you complete the turn, make the best of it. Go out there and sell it like it’s not a big deal. When you get to the judge, you need to be straight.”

Stand Out to the Judge

What do judges really want? The answer might surprise you.

“It’s not always the person who has the fanciest horse or the most expensive outfit or any of that,” Bailey says. “We’re just looking for the person who gets the best performance that day. For judges, it’s really easy to see who has spent time with their horse and knows him as a partner, and who has not.”

Kearns agrees, emphasizing that the handler-horse relationship is very apparent when executing a pattern, whether the two are connected or not.

“I want to see that person be in sync with that horse,” she says. “I want to see that they have practiced, that they have a connection, and that the exhibitor knows what the horse is going to do before he does it.”

For Greaves, exhibitors who display the “four Cs of showmanship” go to the top of his list. Exhibitors must have confidence, control, correctness and consistency. Despite mistakes, Greaves wants to see exhibitors sell their performance. He wants to see handlers enjoying time with their horses.

Now, as you stand at the first cone, awaiting the judge’s nod, you’ll be ready.

As Greaves says, “Go show ‘em what you can do.”

Liked this article? Here’s more showmanship advice:
Perfect Your Showmanship Patterns
A Guide to Showmanship
How to Fit a Halter for Showmanship
Showmanship Success

A freelance writer from Woodstock, Ill., Lisa Kucharski enjoys recreational trail riding and competing in open pleasure shows.

This article originally appeared in the November 2014 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Showmanship Dos and Don’ts appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.