Section 6 - Showmanship at Halter

  • 601 Showmanship at Halter, Horse, Pony & Miniature-Jr. & Sr.
  • 602 Showmanship at Halter, Horse, Pony & Miniature-Jr. & Sr.

Please Note: Since the 4-H Showmanship at Halter class is offered in the Western, Hunt Seat, Saddle Seat, Draft Horse and Donkey/Mule Divisions, Miniature Equine, you need to know the personal appointment and attire for the seat you are riding. If there is a conflict in the listings, the Showmanship at Halter list will take priority.

Western

A. Required

  1.  Approved protective helmet
  2. Long sleeved western attire or short sleeved shirt with jacket *shirts must have collars*
  3. Western type boots with distinguishable heel
  4. Western riding pants or denims

B. Optional

  1. Western style tie
  2.  Vest - to be worn with long sleeved shirt only
  3. Jacket
  4. Sweater
  5. Gloves

C. Prohibited

  1. Western hats
  2. No T-shirts, sweatshirts or crew type necklines
  3. Chaps
  4. Spurs

Hunt Seat

A. Required

  1. Approved protective helmet
  2. Breeches or jodhpurs
  3. Shirt and/or dickies
  4. Coat
  5. Hunt, field or jodhpur boots with a distinguishable heel
  6. Tie or choker
  7. Hair neatly contained, preferably in a net

B. Optional

  1. Gloves

C. Prohibited

  1. Chaps
  2. Spurs

Saddle Seat

A. Required

  1. Approved protective helmet
  2. Saddle suit of conservative colors or Kentucky jodhpurs with matching jacket (informal attire)
  3. Jodhpur boots with a distinguishable heel
  4. Tie
  5. Shirt

B. Optional

  1. Gloves

C. Prohibited

  1. Derby or soft hat
  2. Chaps
  3. Spurs
  4. No colored day coats

Draft Horse

A. Required

  1. Approved protective helmet
  2. Long pants or slacks (skirts not recommended for safety purposes)
  3. Long or short sleeved shirt
  4. Work boot or equestrian footwear (keep foot protection in mind)

B. Optional

  1. Gloves

C. Prohibited

  1. No t-shirts, sweatshirts or crew type necklines
  2. Spurs

Miniature Equine

Please note: You may show your miniature equine Western, Hunt Seat or Saddle Seat. (Refer to Personal Attire and Appointments for Western, Hunt Seat or Saddle Seat in the Showmanship at Halter section of this rule book on previous pages).

Donkey/Mule

Please note: You may show your donkey or mule Western, Hunt Seat or Saddle Seat. (Refer to Personal Attire and Appointments for Western, Hunt Seat or Saddle Seat in the Showmanship at Halter section of this rule book on previous pages).

*Please Note: Since the Showmanship at Halter class is offered in the Western, Hunt Seat, Saddle Seat, Draft Horse and Donkey/Mule Divisions, you need to know the tack and equipment for the seat in which you are riding. If there is a conflict in the listings, the Showmanship at Halter list will take priority.

**Please Note: Fake tails will be allowed.

Western

A. Required

  1. Nylon, leather or show halter
  2. Nylon, cotton rope, leather or show lead

B. Optional

  1. Chain on lead - must be under the chin

C. Prohibited

  1.  Western bridles, hackamores and bosals
  2.  Whips, quirts, bats, etc.
  3.  Draw reins, side reins, chambon, nose reins, gogue and other similar training devices. (This includes use for practice or warm-up.)
  4. Lead chain over the nose

Hunt Seat

A. Required

  1.  Halter (nylon or leather) and lead (nylon, cotton rope or leather) or bridle (snaffle, pelham, kimberwicke or full)
  2. All bridles must have cavesson nosebands

B. Optional

  1. Crops
  2. Chain on lead - must be under the chin

C. Prohibited

  1. Chin straps or curb chains less than 1/2" in width
  2. Figure 8 noseband
  3. Dropped noseband
  4. Wire curbs
  5.  Converters
  6. Protective boots, leg wraps and bandages
  7.  Draw reins, side reins, chambon, nose reins, gogue and other similar training devices. (This includes use for practice or warm-up.)
  8. Lead chain over the nose

Saddle Seat

A. Required

  1. Halter (nylon or leather) and lead (nylon, cotton rope or leather) or bridle (full or pelham)
  2. All bridles must include cavesson, browband, throatlatch, and appropriate curb chain.

B. Optional

  1. Whips

C. Prohibited

  1. Chin straps or curb chains less than 1/2" in width
  2.  Dropped noseband
  3.  Kimberwicke
  4.  Bit converter
  5. Protective boots
  6.  Draw reins, side reins, chambon, nose reins, gogue and other similar training devices. (This includes use for practice or warm-up.)
  7.  Day coats
  8. Lead chain over nose

Draft Horse

A. Required

  1. White nylon or white show bridle
  2.  White nylon or white show lead with chain under chin
  3. Show stick (proper use is essential)
  4. Straight Draft Horse bit

B. Optional - None

C. Prohibited

  1. Draw reins, side reins, chambon, nose reins, gogue and other similar training devices. (This includes use for practice or warm-up.)

Miniature Equine

*Please note: You may show your miniature equine Western, Hunt Seat or Saddle Seat. (Refer to Tack and Equipment for Western, Hunt Seat or Saddle Seat in the Showmanship at Halter sections of this rule book).

Donkey/Mule

*Please note: You may show your donkey or mule Western, Hunt Seat or Saddle Seat. (Refer to Tack and Equipment for Western, Hunt Seat or Saddle Seat in the Showmanship at Halter sections of this rule book).

This class is to be judged on the cleanliness and condition of the equine, the training and manners of the equine and the way in which the exhibitor presents the equine to the judge. 4-H exhibitors will not be penalized nor gain extra points due to the expense of the equine, equipment, or clothing that they will be utilizing to exhibit in this class.

The 4-H rules for this class were patterned after the 1995 NYS 4-H Fitting and Showmanship rules and the January 1996 AQHA Showmanship at Halter rules.

A. Class Requirements

1. If a pattern is to be used, the judge or show management must post the pattern for the class at a reasonable time before the class. The judge has the option to bring back exhibitors for consideration for final placing; the final pattern need not be posted.

2. Posing: The exhibitor will move back and forth across the front of the equine in accordance to the "Quarter" System (see illustration at the end of the Showmanship at Halter rules) depending on the position of the judge, regardless of the method of evaluation. In general, if the judge is positioned toward the front half of the equine, the exhibitor is to be on the opposite side; if the judge is positioned toward the rear half of the equine, the exhibitor is to be on the same side. The exhibitor should at all times remain in front of a line perpendicular to the long axis of the equine's body at the equine's nose, facing the shoulder. The exhibitor's body should remain stationary but the head may be turned to keep the judge in view.

B. Judging the class - No score cards will be kept or available to the exhibitor; the judge has the option to use a score card for their use as a judging tool.

*Please Note: Fake tails will be allowed.

1. Appearance of the equine (40 points)

a) Condition and Thriftiness (15 points)

b) Grooming (15 points)

  • Hair coat clean, well brushed
  • Mane, tail, foretop and wither tufts free of tangles and clean. It is prohibited to use ornaments of any kind, except in divisions in which this is acceptable, ie: Draft and Gaited Horse classes. Manes, tails, fore tops, and wither tufts may be braided or banded in English or Western. French or other style as appropriate to breed and/or style of riding.
  • Hooves should be trimmed properly. If shod, shoes must fit properly and clinches should be neat.

c) Trimming (5 points)

  • Manes and foretop should be trimmed according to breed type and/or division shown. Wither tuft must be left.
  • Inside of ears may be clipped.
  • Long hair on jaw, legs, and pasterns should be clipped.

d) Tack (5 points)

  • Tack should be neat, clean, and in good repair.
  • Tack should be appropriate for the division shown.

2. Appearance of Exhibitor (10 points)

a) Clothes and exhibitor are to be neat and clean.

b) Appropriate clothes should be worn for the division shown.

3. Showing the equine (50 points)

a) Leading (15 points)

  • Enter at the cone, set up horse, wait for judges nod to start.  Work the pattern and leave.  Next horse should be ready at the cone.

  • Walk on the animal's left side, holding the lead/reins in the right hand, 8 to 12 inches from the animal's head. The remaining lead/rein is held neatly and safely in the left hand. A tightly coiled or rolled lead/rein will be considered a fault at showmanship. The equine should lead readily at the walk or jog/trot.

  • After the judge has lined up the class, he/she will call on each exhibitor to move their equine individually. When moving the equine, be sure that the judge gets a clear, unobstructed view of the equine's action. Allow the equine sufficient lead/rein so that it can move freely and in a straight line. Lead the equine from its left side to the required distance; stop; and turn to the right around the equine. Follow the judge's pattern.

b) Posing (15 points)

  • When posing the equine, stand toward the front facing the equine, but not directly in front of the equine, and always in a position where you can keep your eye on the judge.
  • Pose the equine with their front feet squarely under them. Rear legs should be placed squarely under the equine or according to breed type. Do the positioning with the lead/rein. Do not use your hand or foot to position your equine. Never kick an equine's leg into position.
  • Do not get too close to the equine and exhibitor next to, in front, or behind you. This is a safety issue!!! Stay out of kicking an dbiting range of another animal!!!
  • While the judge is observing other animals, keep your animal posed as well as possible.
  • Be natural; overshowing or undue fussing and maneuvering are objectionable.

c) Poise, alertness, and merits (20 points)

  • Keep alert and be aware of the position of the judge at all times. Do not be distracted by persons or happenings outside of the ring.
  • Show your equine at all times, not yourself.
  • Respond quickly and politely to the requests of the judge, show officials and current styles of showing.
  • Be courteous and sportsmanlike at all times.
  • Quickly recognize and correct faults of your equine.
  • Keep showing until the entire class has been placed and you are excused from the ring.

4. Soundness

a) Unsoundness of the equine being shown shall not penalize a handler unless it is sufficiently severe as to impair the required performance, in which case penalty is at the judge's discretion.

C. Suggestions for Exhibitors

1. Always respond to judge's comments and questions quickly and politely.

2. Avoid excessive make up.

3. Choose conservative clothing and appointments.

4. Look alert, interested, keep head up.

5. Smile.

6. Follow instructions, be ready.

7. Be courteous to judges and other exhibitors.

8. Know where the judge is at all times.

9. Keep the equine alert and properly posed.

10. Be sure your exhibitor number is clearly visible; be sure long hair does not cover your number.

Showmanship layout