and youth divisions.

exhibitor’s ability to fit and show a horse at halter. The horse is merely

a prop to demonstrate the ability and preparation of the exhibitor.

The ideal showmanship performance consists of a poised, confident,

neatly attired exhibitor leading a well groomed and conditioned

horse that quickly and efficiently performs the requested pattern

with promptness, smoothness, and precision. The showmanship

class is not another halter class and should not be judged as such.

worked at least one hour prior to the commencement of the class;

however, if the judge requires additional work of exhibitors for consideration

of final placing, the finals pattern may be posted. Pattern(s)

should be designed to test the showman’s ability to effectively present

a horse to the judge. All ties will be broken at the judges discretion.

All exhibitors may enter the ring and then work individually or each

exhibitor may be worked from the gate individually. When exhibitors

are worked individually from the gate, a working order is required.

The following maneuvers are considered acceptable: lead the horse at

a walk, jog, trot or extended trot, or back in a straight or curved line,

or a combination of straight and curved lines; stop; and turn 90

(1/4), 180 (1/2), 270 (3/4), 360 (full turn) degrees or any combination

or multiple of these turns. The judge must have exhibitors set the

horse up squarely for inspection sometime during the class.

Exhibitors are to be scored from 0 to 20 with 1/2 point increments

acceptable. Ten points should be allocated toward the overall appearance

of exhibitor and horse and 10 points allocated toward performance.

appearance, and position throughout the class and the physical

appearance of the horse will be evaluated.

Appropriate western attire must be worn. Clothes and person are to be neat

and clean. The use of any type of artificial aid including, but not limited to

lighters, hay, dirt, sharp pins, etc. will be considered a disqualification.

Exhibitors should be poised, confident, courteous, and genuinely

sportsmanlike at all times, quickly recognizing and correcting faults in

the positioning of the horse. The exhibitor should continue showing

the horse until the class has been placed or they have been excused,

unless otherwise instructed by the judge. The exhibitor should appear

business-like, stand and move in a straight, natural, and upright manner,

and avoid excessive, unnatural, or animated body positions.

The exhibitor must lead on the horse’s left side holding the lead

shank in the right hand near the halter with the tail of the lead loosely

coiled in the left hand unless requested by the judge to show the

horse’s teeth. It is preferable that the exhibitor’s hand not be on the

snap or chain portion of the lead continuously. The excess lead

should never be tightly coiled, rolled, or folded. When leading, the

exhibitor should be positioned between the eye and the mid-point of

the horse’s neck, referred to as the leading position.

Both arms should be bent at the elbow with the elbows held close to the

exhibitors side and the forearms held in a natural position. Height of the arms

may vary depending on the size of the horse and exhibitor, but the arms should

never be held straight out with the elbows locked.

The position of the exhibitor when executing a turn to the right is the same as

the leading position except that the exhibitor should turn and face toward the

horse’s head and have the horse move away from them to the right.

When executing a back, the exhibitor should turn from the leading

position to face toward the rear of the horse with the right hand

extended across the exhibitor’s chest and walk forward beside the

horse with the horse moving backward.

When setting the horse up for inspection, the exhibitor should stand

angled toward the horse in a position between the horse’s eye and

muzzle, and should never leave the head of the horse. It is recommended,

but not mandatory that exhibitors use the “Quarter

Method” when presenting the horse. The exhibitor should maintain

a position that is safe for themselves and the judge. The position of

the exhibitor should not obstruct the judge’s view of the horse and

should allow the exhibitor to maintain awareness of the judge’s position

at all times. The exhibitor should not crowd other exhibitors

when setting up side-by-side or head-to-tail. When moving around

the horse, the exhibitor should change sides in front of the horse

with minimal steps and should assume the same position on the

right side of the horse that they had on the left side.

Leading, backing, turning, and initiating the set up should be performed

from the left side of the horse. At no time should the

exhibitor ever stand directly in front of the horse. The exhibitor

should not touch the horse with their hands or feet, or visibly cue the

horse by pointing their feet at the horse during the set up.

The horse’s body condition and overall fitness should be assessed.

The hair coat should be clean, well-brushed, and in good condition.

The mane, tail, forelock, and wither tuft may not contain ornaments

(ribbons, bows, etc.), but may be braided or banded for English or

Western. The length of mane and tail may vary, as long as they are

neat, clean, and free of tangles. The mane should be even in length

or may be roached, but the forelock and tuft over the withers must

be left. The bridle path, eyebrows, and long hair on the head and legs

may be clipped, except where government regulations prohibit.

Hooves should be properly trimmed and if shod, the shoes should fit

correctly and clinches should be neat. Hooves must be clean and may

be painted black or with hoof dressings, or shown naturally.

Tack should fit properly and be neat, clean and in good repair.

The exhibitor should perform the work accurately, precisely,

smoothly, and with a reasonable amount of speed. Increasing speed

of the work increases the degree of difficulty, however, accuracy and

precision should not be sacrificed for speed. The horse should lead,

stop, back, turn, and set up willingly, briskly and readily with minimal

visible or audible cueing. Failure to follow prescribed pattern,

knocking over or working on the wrong side of the cones, or severe

disobedience will not result in a disqualification, but should be

penalized severely and the exhibitor should not place above an

exhibitor that completes the pattern correctly. Excessive schooling or

training, willful abuse, or loss of control of the horse by the exhibitor

shall be cause for disqualification.

The horse should be led directly to and away from the judge in a straight or

curved line and track briskly and freely at the prescribed gait as instructed. The

horse’s head and neck should be straight and in line with the body.

The stop should be straight, prompt, smooth and responsive with

the horse’s body remaining straight.

The horse should back up readily with the head, neck and body

aligned in a straight or curved line as instructed.

When turning the horse to the left 90 degrees or less, the horse

should be turned to the left. On turns of greater than 90 degrees, the

ideal turn consists of the horse pivoting on the right hind leg while

stepping across and in front of the right front leg with the left front

leg. An exhibitor should not be penalized if their horse performs a

pivot on the left hind leg, but an exhibitor whose horse performs the

pivot correctly should receive more credit.

The horse should be set up quickly with the feet squarely underneath

the body. The exhibitor does not have to reset a horse that stops square.

Faults can be classified as minor, major or severe. The judge will

determine the appropriate classification of a fault based upon the

degree and/or frequency of the infraction. A minor fault will result

in a 1/2 to 4 point deduction from the exhibitor’s score. A major

fault will result in a deduction of 4 1/2 points or more from the

exhibitor’s score. An exhibitor that incurs a severe fault avoids elimination,

but should be placed below all other exhibitors that complete

the pattern correctly. A minor fault can become a major fault

and a major fault can become a severe fault when the degree and/or

frequency of the infraction(s) merits.

Horse include:

Poorly groomed, conditioned or trimmed horse

Dirty, ragged, or poorly or ill-fitted halter or lead

Poor or improper position of exhibitor

Excessively stiff, artificial, or unnatural movement around horse or

when leading

Continuous holding of the chain portion of the lead, or lead shank

tightly coiled around hand or dragging the ground

Changing hands or placing both hands on the lead, except when

preparing to show the horse’s teeth

Faults of the Performance include:

Drifting of horse while being lead

Horse stopping crooked or dropping a hip out when stopping, setting

up, or standing

Backing, leading, or turning sluggishly or crooked

Horse not set up squarely or excessive time required to set up

Failure to maintain a pivot foot during turns or stepping behind

right front leg with left front leg when turning to the right

Horse holding head and/or neck crooked when leading, stopping, or

backing

Failure to perform maneuvers at designated markers, but horse is on pattern

Exhibitor and Horse (avoids disqualification but should be

placed below other exhibitors that do not incur a severe fault)

include:

Leading on the off or right side of the horse

Complete failure to move around horse by exhibitor and obstructing

judge’s view

Exhibitor touching the horse or kicking or pointing their feet at the

horse’s feet during set up

Standing directly in front of the horse

Exhibitor wearing spurs or chaps

Severe Faults of the Performance (avoids disqualification but

should be placed below other exhibitors that do not incur a

severe fault) include:

Omission or addition of maneuvers

Knocking over a cone

Working on the wrong side of the cones

Severe disobedience including rearing or pawing; horse kicking at other horses,

exhibitors or judge; or horse continuously circling the exhibitor

Loss of control of horse that endangers exhibitor, other horses or

exhibitors, or judge including the horse escaping from the exhibitor

Failure of exhibitor to wear correct number in a visible manner

Willful abuse

Excessive schooling or training, or use of artificial aids

smoothly, and precisely; and demonstrates a high level of professionalism.

Horse is fit and groomed well. Exhibitor is neat, clean, and

appropriately dressed.

of the pattern or in the appearance of exhibitor or horse. Overall execution of

the pattern is excellent and exhibitor is highly professional.

or appearance of exhibitor and horse. Exhibitor is reasonably

professional in presentation of horse.

two or more minor faults in performance or appearance of

exhibitor and horse. Horse is not presented to its best advantage.

and/or appearance that prevents an effective presentation of the horse.

and/or appearance of exhibitor and horse

of exhibitor and horse. Exhibitor demonstrates complete lack of professionalism

in showing the horse or commits a severe fault.

the class and avoids disqualification.