When is the horse show?

It you're anything like me, this is what your horses look like about now.  So why aare we talking about horse shows?  The answer, of course, is that now is the tiem to be planning and preparing for the next show season.  In three short months, we will be showing again.  So, in what classes will you be competing?  Do you have the neccessary clothes and equipment?  Is your horse physically suited for them and is he properly trained?  These are all questions to be asked NOW, while you still have time to shop, sew, train, etc.  We will take the divisions one at a time, and using the 4H rule book, examine the requirements for each division.

Let's start at the beginning, with a suitable horse.  You must own or lease your horse by May 1 and must fill out a horse indentification form by that date.  You may list a horse and a back up horse.  In addition, you may have a training project.  At the County Fair Horse show you may show one horse, plus your training project if you have one.  A horse may be leased or part leased, and some of these leases are really inexpensive.  I have written several $1 leases for 4H members.  4H has a lease form to be filled out as well, so if you ride the neighbor's horse, get a lease form and fill it out! The horse must be a mare or a gelding.  The only exception is for "future geldings".  Your training project may be a stallion foal as long as he is under 1 year of age. (This horse may also be used in Showmanship at Halter).  You are expected to care for and train  and exercise your horse from May 1 onwards.  At the show: A horse may be used only once  per event per show.  This means that if you share with your little sister, and she is riding in Western Pleasure 10 and under, you may show in Western Horsemanship, but not in Pleasure.  Negotiate with your sister now, so you are not surprised the day of the show! Only 4Hers may school horses at the show grounds.  If you horse won't pick up that sticky lead, you need to fix it yourself, Mom can't get up and school for you that day. The show will give you anumber, or sometimes two.  Wear one number on your back, if there are two, pin one  on each side of your saddle pad. (Try this at home if the numbers are not completely on the pad, some horses don't like numbers flapping at their sides). Some of you will  qualify for the State 4H Horse Show.  Only points won in classes where you recieve a blue group ribbon will count towards the State trip.  If you win a trip, you may show at the State show, in any class in  which you recieved a blue group at the County show. That's about it for basics, now we will get into specifics for each division.

Showmanship at Halter

Showmanship is not about judging the horse, it is about judging the handler.  A well trained horse helps you to show off your skills to your best advantage, so it is to your advantage to train well for this one.  You can train for showmanship in the barn aisle, so this is one lclass you can work on in the rain, or if, like now, it is too icy to be outside. According the the rule book, classes will be divided by age, and can be divided by type of horse (stock & pleasure). The horse may wear either a bridle or halter, depending on the style shown, and the handler will dress appropriately for this style.  (If showing in a Hunt snaffle, weat Hunt attire, a patent leather show halter or double bridle requires Saddle Seat attire, and a Western style show halter needs Western attire). Scoring: 1) Exhibitor and equipment 20%           You are being judged here on how neat and well groomed YOU are.  In addition, the judge will look to see if your leather is clean and well fitted.  Did you polish all the metal?  Is your leather soft, supple and well cared for?  Leads should be between 6'and 7' long, and if a chain is attached, it must be adjusted so that you are not holding the chain part.  You may only use a whip if you are showing English style in a seperate English Showmansip or Pleasure Type Showmanship class. 2) Horse fitting and grooming 30%           The judge is looking here, primarily for a sparkling clean, horse in good weight and with good muscle tone.  They can and do check such areas as the dock, nostrils etc.  I recomend covering the horse after grooming until the class or wiping with a towel just before you enter to get the dust that collects.  Bare skin, such as nostrils and dock should be wiped with a damp sponge or towel, and may be oiled. Clipping.  Judges hate to see clipper tracks.  Do most of your clipping a few days ahead.  You can touch up noses  the day of the show or the night before.  Ears must be clipped on the OUTSIDE.  You can leave the hair inside the ear if it is trimmed neatly and your horse needs the protection against insects.  You may, of course, clip the entire ear out if you prefer.  Manes and tails should conform to the breed standard.  If you horse is a mixed breed, decide which breed he most resembles, and follow their trimming standards.  Saddlebreds, Walking Horses, and Shetlands may be shown in ribbons.  Hunters may be braided, but these things are optional.  A hunter's tail is never braided unless the mane is also braided, but the mane may be braided and the tail left natural.  Shoes, pads and weighted shows are optional, and should conform to breed standard.  Hoof dressing is permitted and should conform to breed standard.  (For example, always use clear hoof polish on an Appaloosa even if his hooves are mostly dark). 3) Method of Showing 50%           This is how you handle your horse.      A) Leading           You must follow the pattern posted or as directed by the judge.  Always lead from the left.  Horse's head should be in front  of your shoulder.  In other words, walk at your horse's throatlatch.  Use a large loop or a figure eight fold to hold the lead in your left hand.  Your right hand leads the horse.  Allow 1 to 2 horse lengths between horses when leading.  When turning, turn into the horse.  Always turn right, unless the turn is less than 90 degrees, in which case you may turn left.  All turns shoud be made on the haunches.  Always line the horse up directly with the judge unless you recieve specific direction to do something else.  Remember to glance back over your shoulder, immediately after turning,  when leading away from the judge to be sure you are moving straight away from the judge.      B) Posing           Keep your horse posed at all times except when moving, but if the judge is at the far end of the line, it is ok to let the horse relax a little as long as his feet do not move.  Stand a Stock type horse square.  A Hunter may be either square or in hunter stance with one hind leg slightly back.  Saddle type horses usually park, although Arabs have their own stance with one hind leg set back.  You must pose from the halter.  Do not  use your hand or your toe to move a foot.  this is the sort of thing you need to practice at home!  Use the Quarter Method to move around the horse.  (Ask Gumby about how this method works). Keep yourself in a possition where you can see both the judge and your horse, but where you are not blocking the judge's view of your horse.  This sounds easier than it is sometimes.  Allow at least 6 feet between horses in the line up.   If you are asked to change to another spot in the line up, back your horse out of line and lead him to the new position.  Remember to always turn right!  Watch for problems in your horse while showing.  An old trick, that still surfaces once in a while, is for the judge to ruffle the mane while inspecting the horse, and watch to see if the exhibitor corrects it. (You should).  .

Western Pleasure and Horsemanship

Ok, the basics, Pleasure judges the horse,  Horsemanship judges the rider.  Appointments: Tack.  The saddle must be of Western type, and fit the rider.The bridle must also be Western type, without a noseband, and just use a curb bit unless the horse is 4 years old or younger.  In that case a snaffle or bosal may be used.  Reins may be split or romal.  Curb straps or chains are allowed but must be at least 1/2 inch wide.  Breastcollars are optional.   Draw reins, Tie Downs or other martingalse are prohibited, aas are mechanical hackamores.  Ropes, riatas, hobbles and slickers are optional. Attire.  The rider must wear western boots, western hat, and dress or western long sleeved shirt, western pants or jeans, and a belt.  Vests, jackets, sweaters are optional.  Chaps are optional, but may be prohibited in Horsemanship classes at the judges discretion. Rider position.  Upper arm to be help in a straight line with the body, elbow bent so the forearm and hand are in a straight line to the bit.  One hand used for reining, and the rein is not to be changed.  When the end of the reind hand down, one finger between the reins is permitted and the bight shall fall to the same side as the reining hand.  When using a romal, no fingers are allowed between the reins.  The romal may be held at least 16 inches from the reining hand.  Free hand must be hled free of the horse and equipment and in a relaxed manner.  You may use one or two hands if showing in a snaffle or bosal.    The rider sites erect in the saddle with knees slightly bent and weight directly over the balls of the feet.  Stirrups should allow the heels to be down.  Feet will be placed in the stirrups with the weight on the balls of the feet.  Rider should sit all gaits. The Gaits.  The required gaits are the flat walk, the jog trot and the lope, showing the correct lead.  The walk has 4 beats, the trot ,2beats, and the lope 3 beats.  Horses must back in a straight line, at the judges discretion.   Horses are reversed away from the rail.  Reverse may be required at the halt, walk, and trot.    Horsemanship tests from which judges may choose. 1)  Back 2) Individual Performance on the Rail.           The judge may ask for anythinghere that he may ask for in the group competition. 3)  Figure Eight at a Jog 4)  Lope and Stop           Sliding stops are not required.  The horse must stop in a reasonable distance and in a well balanced manner. 5)  Figure Eight on the Correct Lead demonstrating a Simple Lead Change.           The horse may be brought back to either a walk or jog to change leads.  The figure begins in the center, so one lead change is shown. 6)  Ride without Stirrups           Any gait used in the rest of the class may be used here. 7)  Dismount and Mount 8)  Turns on the Haunches           Quarter turns, half turns, and full turns may be required. 9)  Questions           Any pertinant question about equitation, horses or equipment may be asked.  All riders are to be asked the same questions. 10) Figure Eight on the correct Lead, demonstrating a Flying Lead Change. 11) Change Leads down the center of the ring, demonstratina simple lead changes. 12) Ride a Serpentine course, demonstrating Flying Changes of Lead.           A serpentine is made up of a group of linked half circles.

More is coming, but you can read the actual rules in your rule book, or at the 4H website.  The entire rule book is available there.  Click on the link to go to the 4H website.  When you get there, click on Projects, then Horse, and then Minnesota 4H Program Rule Book.