Whistling and Whooping During Pattern Classes: Appreciation or Annoyance?

Because the majority of equestrian sport is judged on an individual and not team basis, the competition atmosphere of a horse show is considerably more sedate than a football game or other major sporting event. However, many competitors and judges have noticed a recent shift in what we like to call “spectator participation.”

Once upon a time, it was so silent in a horsemanship or trail pen that you could hear a pin drop. Nowadays, it seems as if that silence has been replaced by whistling, whooping, hollering, and other forms of vocal encouragement. This increase in crowd noise isn’t isolated to the conclusion of a pattern. On the contrary, each maneuver is often punctuated by a cheer or exclamation of some kind.

Interestingly enough, the increase in noise seems to be event specific. If you wanted to set up a sliding scale of sorts for spectator noise it might look something like this.

 

 

Loud————-Medium——————-Quiet

Speed events–Cutting–Reining– Roping–Horsemanship–Equitation–Trail–Showmanship–Over Fences

Of course, this is all up to personal interpretation. However, cheering during reining, cutting, and speed events is generally commonplace, while showmanship and over fence classes remain the quietest of the group, at least while the pattern is underway.

This raises many questions. Have judges noticed this increase in spectator participation? Does it have an effect on a judge’s perception of a pattern? Do riders appreciate the “encouragement” or is it distracting?

We spoke with a few trainers, judges, and exhibitors to get their opinions on this trend. Associate Head Coach of the University of Georgia Equestrian Team, Mary Meneely, has an interesting perspective because she is involved in the collegiate equestrian industry as well as the breed show side of things with Meneely Show Horses.

“We have been seeing it more [in breed events],” she says. “It has been very interesting. When you used to be able to hear a pin drop, now it’s almost commonplace to hear cheering, especially in a part where [the rider] does a maneuver.”

“Once someone starts yelling, it’s a domino effect. It’s pretty cool, and it really adds to the show day excitement.”

Meneely’s husband, Rob, says the increase in crowd noise during pattern classes became more apparent to him during the 2013 AQHYA World Show in Oklahoma City. Still, whether he is judging a collegiate equestrian event or a breed specific horse show, he says it has no effect on his opinion of a pattern or specific maneuver whatsoever. Rob Meneely holds judge credentials with AQHA, APHA, ApHC, NRHA, NSBA, and PHBA.

“You just have to block it out,” he says. “Sometimes [people] are cheering when [the maneuver] isn’t even good. It may be good for that particular rider, but not good enough to make it to the finals. But, I don’t think you really hear it when you get in there and you’re judging.”

“It doesn’t bother me. It’s just a part of showing. I think spectator participation is a good thing. It’s kind of bringing a bit of the show back to the horse show. I don’t think it’s good to have no sound either. It helps to break up the monotony.”

Fellow AQHA and NSBA judge and horse trainer, Kelly McDowall, has noticed this trend and views it to be overwhelmingly positive.

“I’m sure there are judges who don’t like it, but I’m not one of them,” he says. “When someone is having a bad go, people pretty much stay silent. Now, I don’t like the ones who still whistle when someone is doing terrible. That’s probably not necessary, but I do like the encouragement.”

“As a judge, I find myself cheering on the inside for the good [patterns] as well. Anything that’s positive for telling someone they are doing a good job…I’m all for it.”

The two events McDowall has noticed an marked increase in crowd participation are trail and western riding.

“There is a little more whistling and carrying on and cheering for your [rider]” he says. “I pay no attention to it. If it’s a really good one, I think, ‘yes, you should be cheering for that.’ Then, [the rider] will do something and I’ll think, ‘nope, you can’t whistle for that.’ I do notice, but that doesn’t affect anything.”

“I think it’s great and helps to breathe a little life back into these events. If you have a good gang behind you, I could see how that could kind of pump up an exhibitor.”

Following that train of thought we asked APHA amateur exhibitor, Desarae Gilley, if she views spectator encouragement as a welcomed appreciation or an unnecessary distraction.

“For me, once you get in there, you’re in the zone, and you don’t really hear anything,” she says. “It doesn’t distract me and it doesn’t make me feel better.”

“The only thing I hear is my trainer’s voice, if he says something. I can’t hear what anyone else is saying or if anyone else is cheering. I just hear his voice or his whistle, because everyone sounds different.”

When it comes to the belief, held by some, that whistling or other noise-making may help to highlight or distract from a particular portion of a pattern, Gilley has this to say.

“I feel like some people might think that if [a maneuver] is really pretty, and they whistle, that might help bring the judges’ attention to it,” she says. “I think some people do whistle to try to encourage the judges’ opinions.”

Although most of the judges we asked appreciate the encouragement and crowd participation, McDowall and Meneely both agree when they say that it has no influence on their judging.

What’s your opinion on this topic from the perspective of an exhibitor, a trainer, a judge, or a spectator? Let us know in the comment section below or on our Facebook page by visiting “The Equine Chronicle.”

Also, be sure to vote in our poll on this topic by scrolling to the bottom right hand corner of EquineChronicle.com.

Whistling and whooping after maneuvers in pattern classes… encouraging or annoying?