Our First Showmanship Class!!

Billy and I went to a local show and entered our first ever Showmanship Class tonight.  I have shown my ponies in Halter classes which is judged solely on the horses conformation - just like a dog show - the best put together horse or pony wins.  I have shown ponies and horses in hunter and jumper classes...soaring over fences - driven my ponies at shows too.  But I've never done a showmanship class. Showmanship is judged on the handler and how they present their pony.  You have to line your pony up to cones, trot certain distances, stop, back and pivot.  You also have to keep your pony between you and the judge as she makes a complete circle around you and the pony.  It's kind of like a dance...there is a method to where you should stand as the judge circles your pony...lots of movement and your pony needs to stand perfectly still.  The picture above says it all - big smile...I was really pleased with our first attempt!  Billy was great...a bit crooked at one point and our pivot was, well...it was lacking.

The pivot has alluded me...  I've seen the pivot done correctly and have talked with knowledgeable trainers concerning the training steps to get the job done.  It's really a beautiful movement, as the handler moves toward the pony, he steps away crossing his front legs as he sticks his back hoof on the ground and pivots his whole body around that leg in a circle.  I have been told that it is a challenge when teaching a small pony...as I tower over him and my body language isn't the same as it would be to a full sized horse.  I can see and understand the logistics of what they are saying...but there's got to be a way, we just hadn't found it yet!

I was watching this beautiful young lady and her equally beautiful palomino pony practice before we entered the ring.  I was in awe...they moved like one...it was truly a wonderfully well choreographed dance!  I complimented her and explained the trouble Billy and I had been having with this movement. This sweet girl and her pony won 2nd place - well deserved!  I, on the other hand, was rejoicing that Billy stood nice and square, trotted right with me and was relaxed in the ring (that was amazing for this pony who often has ants in his pants and finds it difficult to stand still), even though we blew our pivot...we experienced PROGRESS!

I returned to my trailer reflecting on our time in the ring, happy we finally completed our first showmanship class and grateful it wasn't horrible.  I was pleased with how well my pony responded to me and did all I asked...  I no sooner settled my pony back into his regular halter and started to reach for a cold water and I see this darling young lady and her beautiful palomino pony walking toward my trailer.  Sarah wanted to give me a few helpful tips.  In a few short minutes this very knowledgeable young lady answered all my questions.  She gave me some awesome helpful hints on how to teach my pony to correctly pivot.  She also showed me some fancy footwork that would make my movements around my pony smoother!  I thanked her profusely.  I learned that she was interested in driving her pony and I felt really happy that I could give her some really great tips and information on how to get safely started with her driving pursuits. It was a good and happy exchange!

It was a good day...lots of preparation for that one class. I really enjoyed spending time with my pony ...that's always a very good day!  I enjoyed wearing my first cowboy hat too...that was fun...didn't look too bad afterall.  But if I have my druthers...I would rather hitch my pony and drive...