Showmanship in Hand

By Cathy Hanson

Copyright © 2014

 

LESSON THREE

 

By this time your horse is leading at the walk and trot. He is stopping and squaring.  It is now time to learn to step around the horse in order to present the horse to the judge.

 

          When moving from one side of the horse to the other side, the maneuver is called a “crossover”.  The purpose of the crossover is to create a safe position for the judge while reviewing your horse.  You must allow the judge the best opportunity to see your horse, and you must always be able to have eye contact with the judge.

 

The “crossover”: showing the lead is loose and not turning the horse's head.

The lead is not touching the horse.

 

          The horse is divided into four sections.  Imagine a line drawn down the center of the horse from his nose to his tail.  Then imagine another line drawn across the horse just behind his withers, or through the heart girth.  Those lines divide the horse into four parts.

 

  As the judge is walking around the horse and stepping into these four imaginary sections, it is important the handler is in the correct position at all times to maintain eye contact, give the judge a full view of the horse and judge from a safe position.

 

When the judge is in a front section, the handler will be on the opposite side of the horse.  If the judge is in the left front section, the handler will be in the right front section.  When the handler is on the opposite side, the judge has an unobstructed view of the horse.  When the judge is in a front section it is still easy to maintain eye contact with the judge.

 

 When the judge is in a hind section, the handler must be on the same side of the horse as the judge.  In this position the handler will never lose eye contact and can protect the judge in case the horse misbehaves.  If the horse were to kick out toward a judge, the handler can easily see the potential problem and pull the horse toward herself, thereby moving the horse’s hindquarters away from the judge.

 

          The handler begins in presentation position.

 

Presentation position places the handler on the horse’s left side, standing angled between the horse’s eye and muzzle with the handler’s legs and feet together and toes pointed toward the horse’s left front foot.  The handler will be standing to the side of the horse’s head and slightly ahead of the horse.

 

To move to the right side of the horse there are two different foot patterns you may use—a three step or a four step.

 

The three step will begin with the right leg crossing in front of the left, followed by the left foot stepping left with a turn of the toe pointing to the horse’s right toe, and then the right foot stepping into presentation position next to the left foot.  The handler will now be on the right side of the horse in presentation position.

 

To move back to the left side of the horse, cross the left foot in front of the right.  The right foot then steps into presentation position with the toe turning the horse’s left front foot.  The left foot then follows stepping next to the right.

 

The three step move requires a big step in order to crossover far enough to the other side of the horse.  This step works for handlers with long legs.  The four step, of course, does not require as large a step, so it is easier for small children, youth or people with shorter legs.

 

Begin in the same presentation position.  The first step of the four steps will be the left leg moving to the left, and then the right leg crossing over and turning the foot toward the horse.  The left leg now makes the third step, moving behind the right leg.  The final (fourth) step is the right leg being placed next to the left.  To cross back the right leg leads, the left crosses in front turning the toe toward the horse, the right foot steps behind and the left is placed next to the right.

     The second step of the 4 step crossover

     ...notice the right foot starting to turn.

 

The last step must be a definite step.  Sliding the foot into position next to the other foot is not acceptable.

 

          While executing the crossover, the steps must look smooth and comfortable.  Practice both types of cross-overs and then choose the number of steps you can make smoothly and easily.  Once you have chosen, practice, practice and practice until it becomes second nature.  You do not want to have to think about which foot you need to move.  It is desirable to have a confident look, and knowing where to place your feet will allow you to concentrate on other areas of the performance.

 

          Now it is time to enlist the help of a friend who can play the part of a judge.  The judge or friend will walk around the horse, and the handler must crossover at the correct moment.

 

The handler has just walked up to the judge, halted, squared and is now presenting the horse from the left side.  The judge steps to the right side of the horse (right and left is known by the direction in which the horse is standing) and is now located in the front right quadrant.  The handler stays on the left side.  The judge then walks toward the hindquarters of the horse, crossing the line at the horse’s heart girth, so the handler must now cross over to the right side of the horse.  As the judge steps directly behind the horse, the handler will stay in position, since the judge has not crossed the division line yet.  Once the judge has stepped to the left side of the horse, the handler may then step to the left side of the horse as well.  As the judge crosses the heart girth area, the handler steps back to the right side of the horse.  The judge will now be in front of the horse once again.  The handler will stay in position until asked to perform the next maneuver, and then at that time the handler may step back to the left side of the horse.

 

 

 

DO’S AND DONT’S

 

          Do – keep your eyes and chin up when crossing over.

 

          Do – lead with your hip when stepping across.

 

          Do – Spread your collar bones, keeping the shoulders back and down.

 

          Do – hold your stomach in and stand tall.

 

          Do – lengthen the lead slightly when crossing over, so you do not

                 accidentally pull the horse’s head.

 

          Do – check your horse periodically to make sure he is still set up and

                  squared correctly.

 

          Do – practice with a western show hat to become comfortable moving

                  around the horse while you are wearing a wide hat with a wide

                  brim. 

 

          Do not – twist the feet in the dirt when crossing over.

 

          Do not – alter your steps.  Always do the same number of steps. 

                        Symmetry is important in showmanship.

 

          Do not – touch your horse when crossing over.

 

          Do not – cross over until the judge has crossed into a different quadrant.

 

          Do not – get ahead of the judge in the crossover.  Wait until the judge

                        cross over into the next quadrant.

 

          Do not - become overly animated in your steps.  Take natural

                        steps.                                                                                               

 

 

 

Troubleshooting

 

The horse is moving with the handler when crossing over.

Make sure the chain is lengthened enough to hang under the chin and not pull the horse’s head with you as you are crossing.

 

Bumping into the horse during the crossover.

You are standing to close.  Step back one more step for the presentation position.

 

Having to adjust the last step to be correctly facing the horse’s toe.

The turning or twisting of the second step is fairly significant.  Turn your toe more, so the last step places you in just the right spot.

 

 

 

Simple Showmanship Patterns

 

         With the maneuvers you have learned so far, you are capable of performing some simple patterns.  It is fun and will help you be more comfortable putting the maneuvers together.  When performing a pattern, be sure to complete each maneuver before moving to the next maneuver.  The pattern should flow.  Smoothness is key to performing a winning pattern.

Good presentation position...

ready to begin pattern.

 

 

Pattern One

 

Set up three cones in a straight line.  The distance between the cones should be 30 feet. To increase the difficulty, move the cones closer together.

 

Begin with the horse set up at the first cone which is on the handler’s left.  Walk to the second cone. Trot to the third cone.  Stop and set up. 

 

The horse should step forward with the handler without pressure from the lead.  The horse must stay straight. The trot transition needs to take place exactly at the second cone, and it must be smooth and straight.  The handler will stop precisely at the third cone.  Set the horse and present.   Have your helper walk around the horse so you can practice the crossover.

 

 

Pattern Two

 

Use the same three cones.  Begin by being ready to move forward from the first cone.  Trot to the second cone and stop.  Walk to the third cone and set up.  Practice the crossovers. 

 

 

 

Pattern Three

 

Use the same cones.  Begin at the first cone.  Walk to second cone.  Stop and set up. Practice crossovers.  Trot to the third cone and stop and set up.

 

Assignment:

Send videos of you performing the "showing/cue" techniques and the three patterns described in this lesson. 

You may post the videos to a video hosting web site; for example - PhotoBucket or YouTube. 

Please send the links to cathyhansonqh@gmail.com

 

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