All your moves must be precise and planned for a showmanship win. While presenting your horse from the ground, you’ll lead him through a pattern with straight lines, stops, turns, backs and more. While many handlers focus on where to be when the judge comes to see your horse, you’ll boost your score when you make sure to be in the perfect position during every maneuver.
Here, trainer Shaun Gloude lists the tiny-yetimportant mistakes she sees handlers make. Shaun teaches AQHA youth and amateur riders from her Franktown, Colo., facility. Small mistakes cost competitors points in the show pen. Change your position—and your horse’s position—just slightly to take top honors in a stock horse or 4-H showmanship class.
Shaun reminds you that you’re constantly showing off your horse. Make sure you position yourself so that the judge can easily view your horse. You never want to block the way!