How to Compete in a Western Showmanship Class

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Before entering for a showmanship class

   This is a crucial part of the class; presentation is everything.
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   Step 2: you need to ensure that you have the correct horse equipment and attire.

   A Western shirt (boys wear a plaid western shirt or a jacket and shirt, girls wear a slinky and vest, or a jacket, or a show suit.) A Western belt and buckle (can be plain or "blinged up" with crystals or diamante.) The buckle may be plain or jeweled.
   
   Show pants Western boots (youth are permitted to wear jodhpurs in Australia).
   
   Spurs must not be worn, and incur elimination. ,, Training tips and steps can be found in How to train for a Western Showmanship Class if your horse is already trained in Halter, than you can progress to the next step. ,, This is a critical part of the competition, the judge will not only be watching you complete the pattern and handle the horse, but will be inspecting your presentation of the gear.
   
   Cleaning also means washing your shirts and pants, polishing your boots and cleaning your hat. , This is also the time to fix your hair and for the girls, your make-up.
   
   This is a competition of presentation, looks and performance; make sure you look like you know what you're doing.
   
   That's half the battle. , If they mess up a step, then you will do the same and therefore will be placed lower than if you did the pattern properly. , About 15 minutes before your event, practice the pattern and pin-point where you may need to put a little more 'oomph' into your cues.
   
   Then rest your horse until about 5 minutes before you enter the ring.
   
   This allows your horse to warm up but not become stale. , The idea is to be confident and move with purpose.
   
   If you move sluggish and lazily, then you will not place as high.
   
   The steward will direct you to where you are meant to stand, the pattern should state this. , It is your responsibility to learn the pattern before you enter the ring. , After the placings are announced and awards given, congratulate the other competitors and exit with a smile rather than a grin.
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   Step 3: For Western showmanship you will need: A Western hat A neck piece (girls may wear a necklace or a scarf

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   Step 4: boys wear a scarf or a bolo tie

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   Step 5: this is optional.)

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   Step 6: For showmanship your horse will need: A Western halter (usually silver-plated) and a leather lead with a chain.

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   Step 7: Make sure that your horse is trained

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   Step 8: if your horse isn't trained in Halter

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   Step 9: then you will need to train or get a trained horse to compete with.

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    Step 10: Practice the basic maneuvers

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    Step 11: these include Backing

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    Step 12: Walking

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    Step 13: Jogging

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    Step 14: Stopping

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    Step 15: Setting Up (your horse's feet are in a square)

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    Step 16: Pivoting (these include 90 degrees

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    Step 17: 180 degrees

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    Step 18: 270 degrees

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    Step 19: and 360 degrees)

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    Step 20: and sometimes Pull-turning (the horse pivots towards you).

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    Step 21: Clean your gear.

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    Step 22: Arrive at the show about 30 minutes before the ring opens

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    Step 23: this way if you have car problems or need to do some touch ups you have time to do so.

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    Step 24: Study your pattern

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    Step 25: this doesn't mean just glancing at it and deciding you'll watch the other competitors do it and copy them.

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    Step 26: Warm up your horse and yourself.

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    Step 27: Enter the ring with confidence and presence.

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    Step 28: Complete the pattern as studied

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    Step 29: if someone does something different to what you studied

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    Step 30: do as you have learned

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    Step 31: they might have gotten confused or missed a step.

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    Step 32: At the end of the class

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    Step 33: wait patiently and make sure you stand with confidence up to when your dismissed

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    Step 34: the judge is still judging.

Detailed Guide

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