new at showmanship...not at riding :)

Ive rode and shown in barrel racing, did some jumping, even pleasure classes, BUT I've never shown in showmanship or halter. Never had interest to....but I have a new filly and would like to show her in it.
Which is better showmanship or halter? Or should I do both?

The only thing I know, is to make her look pretty (lol) and I know where and how to stand , and where to move to as the judge is walking around us....

Anything else I should know or tips?

            

well... halter you don't do anything but walk your horse, usually past the judge (judges) and you trot off to the lineup once you pass them. Then you set your horse up.. which im sure you know the idea of doing that (and how) and just wait to be "inspected" ... based totally on your horses conformation and nothing else. Also, your able to touch and move your horses feet to set them properly.

Showmanship you and your horse are judged. You will have a pattern to do with turns, pivots, trot offs, trot in a circle, backup, and also set up in front of a judge. And you can't touch your horse.

By asking which is better.. is a hard question. I love showmanship, but I also do halter so that I can get my horse in the ring and get him listening and setting his feet properly. For you, if your horse can't pivot on the hind foot and back up and all of the given showmanship stuff I would start with halter just to get your trot offs down and your set up practiced. But that is if your horse is totally new at this.. Getting them to set their feet is the hardest part I think... and im still trying to master a complete set up off of a stop without having to fix it before a judge.

Showmanship is hard. Halter isnt. Lol I was at a show this past weekend.. a halter horse can be acting up, having to reset, do some circles and get control and still win first as long as it can present itself to the judge when they walk to them. Also Halter is VERY political just as other events .. but like I said.. to get your feet wet. Go with halter... how is your horses conformation?

            

I know how that goes. At one show my horse reared straight up in the air and we won that class. It was Grooming and Conditioning.

I know I got some evil looks when my horse got first in that class.

            

Not sure if this will help you or not but there is a really new book out on Amazon Amazon.com: Showmanship At Halter: A Guide To.... A girlfriend of mine ordered it too!

Elle

            

thanks !, I guess halter it will be.... and ill check out the book!

            

            

Ohhkierst said getting to set the feet is the hardest part.

For showmanship, I tell my horse to "square" and then move his feet into position. He is getting better but is definitely not perfect. Does anyone else have tips on squaring their horses feet?

            

my filly is pretty good at setting up, everytime I have her out or on a lead, and we are doing "work" together, setting up is part of it. :)

            

Good point. I like to take even the simple walks from the corral to the barn as learning time. This year will be one of the best we have had for showmanship.

            

You are going to have to work extra hard for showmanship, but not so much for halter.