by Renee Swanepoel
To become a master showman or -woman there are a number of techniques and nuances one should learn and practise. Ultimately, these can only really be learned in the show ring. There are a few guidelines that may be followed to give you the best chance at success.
Try to do a quick assessment of the horses in the class as you enter. You will notice that some look better than others. Try to position yourself in a group of horses that you feel make yours look better.
Beware of horses that misbehave – they can make your horse excitable and ruin your class. There are riders who will deliberately try to use foul play to show you up or upset you or your horse. If you identify such a rider, try to steer clear of that person. Do not resort to foul play or make harsh retorts, as this gives you a poor name and taints the sport. If you find yourself boxed in, simply cut into the area and slot yourself in a better spot. Try not to do it in front of the judges!
Try to develop a sense of when the judges are looking at you and when not. In that way you can plan your ride in the group to your best advantage. When the judge is not looking, you can move your horse along, slow him down or make other corrections, so that when they are looking at you, your ride appears smooth and planned.
When doing an individual show, keep it neat and short. Make sure you know what you want to do and stick to your plan. Always be polite to the judges and other competitors. Should a judge criticise you or make comments, take them to heart and make improvements for your next event.
Also, if you are unsure of something, ask the judge for advice. They are mostly keen to be of help wherever possible. Be gracious in defeat and humble in success. Observe the winners and try to see what they did differently to you that may have helped them win.
Above all, enjoy yourself and be proud of your horse!
For showing information, tests, rules and regulations, visit www.horsesport.org.za. SAH
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A well-planned individual show is vital for showing your horse off to his best potential. Make sure that you know what you want to do and stick to your plan
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