Showmanship Pattern:

1. Enter arena and walk to marker 1.
2. Stop. Turn and jog diagonally across the arena, and set up with the rest of the class.
3. When called, walk halfway to the judge.
4. Stop, and do a 360° turn.
5. Jog to the judge, and set up for inspection.
6. When the judge has finished, back your horse into the lineup.

Showmanship Challenge: Showmanship is all about straight lines and details, and this pattern tests both.

Showmanship Strategy: You'll need to stay on your toes, because I may ask for a few things you don't expect. Good preparation is the key: If you're well prepared, you'll be able to perform any pattern and respond to any request, all while projecting a positive attitude.

• When you enter the arena, I may walk alongside you for 10 feet or so. This generally surprises exhibitors, hyping them up for the class-but don't let it rattle you. Your attitude throughout should be, "Look me over, but don't overlook me."

• After you've jogged to the ring steward and set up along the rail, stay focused on me while you wait for my signal. When it's your turn, walk halfway to me. I'll be watching to be sure your horse is straight, and that you're positioned at his throatlatch, with your body facing me. (Tip: If you're forward of your horse's throatlatch, you're pulling him. If you're behind it, he's pulling you. I'll mark you down for either leading error.)

• Stop straight, and begin your 360-degree turn without looking back at your horse. Rules of the American Quarter Horse Association currently give preference to a right-hind pivot, but in other competition, I'm happy to see a good pivot on the left hind.

• When you finish the turn, jog to me without hesitation, and set up your horse for inspection. I'll be checking details—your horse's halter fit, his bridle-path's trim, even how well you've groomed his dock; you'll lose points if he's not spotless.

• If you keep your horse straight in the long back-up to the line, you'll impress me for having done your homework.

At the end of the class, I'll call the top six entries out to line up head to tail, facing the gate. You should be prepared to do this immediately. Then I'll ask each of the six to tell me his or her number; those who can't will move to the back of the line. Knowing your number is a mark of professional courtesy in showing?especially if you expect to receive a prize.

This article first appeared in the July, 1997 issue of Horse & Rider magazine

Lead-Horse Trail Etiquette
If you're the leader on the trail, here are a few do's and don'ts to help make your ride safe and pleasant, from North American Trail Ride Conference judge Jim Ferris.

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A trail ride with a few barn buddies should be enjoyable. And even a small group on a casual outing will benefit from established guidelines and a sensible trail leader. If you're that leader, here are a few do's and don'ts to help make your ride safe and pleasant, from North American Trail Ride Conference judge Jim Ferris.

• Don't assume every rider--or horse--in the group is comfortable with changes of gait. Before you head out, determine which gait is acceptable to everyone on the ride. And once you initiate a gait change, continuously check (by sight and voice) that everyone is doing okay. If the pace is too fast for anyone, slow down.
• Do establish a method for downward transitions. Horses can pile into each other during unannounced slowing or stops--just like a cartoon, but not so funny when it happens in real life. Use a hand signal or your voice to convey your intentions to the rider behind you. That rider should, in turn, relay the message to the rider behind him or her, and so forth. When the last rider gets the signal, she slows first, then the second-to-last rider, and on through the group. As leader, you'll slow last.
• Don't lope or gallop in a group on the trail. Fast gaits tend to "hype up" horses, which, in turn, can cause serious problems that even an experienced rider may find difficult or dangerous. All it takes is for one horse to act up at a fast pace, and the whole group can get out of hand.
• Do look for changes in the trail and terrain. Increase following distances when traveling down a heavily wooded trail, so branches swept aside by one rider don't hit the next horse and rider. Keep to a safe pace over tricky footing and on difficult trails.
• Do keep a sharp eye for upcoming obstacles, and warn others. If you must duck to avoid low branches, warn the other riders to be ready to duck, too. If you spot a hoof-sized hole in the trail, make sure the other riders see it, too. Just as your horse will be more vigilant in the lead, it's your job to scan for any hazards and warn the group.
• Do trade positions within the group. Each member of the group will benefit from taking the positions of lead horse, middle horse and last horse in turn. (For tips on getting a reluctant horse to lead a group, see "Horseman's Handbook," Horse & Rider, October 2001.)
• Don't allow slow-moving horses to fall too far behind the group. If they do, they may become anxious, and even resort to rearing or bucking. Moreover, it's not wise for riders of slow movers to make a practice of trotting up behind the group to catch up. This can startle or stir up the other horses in the group. Best to keep the group at a pace that's comfortable for everyone.

This article first appeared in the October 2001 issue of Horse & Rider magazine.