LIVE From Silver Dollar Circuit- Minding Your P’s in Showmanship

The Daily Stride- February 27th

Tips and Tricks in Showmanship From the Best

We went to the experts and asked them for their best tips and tricks for success in Showmanship. This is what they shared…

Kelly Hinely– “It’s like a dance with your horse; the more you practice it, the better you are with your partner.”

Andrea Kail– “Be precise, know your pattern, and practice. These are the three Ps.”

Jim Searles– “A lot is based on the very first impression when you walk in the pen. Showmanship is so up close and personal so that first impression is a huge deal… and your pattern.”

Brad Jewett– “There should be no tricks. Your feet move and your horse’s feet move. The horse should be straight and balanced the whole time. The horse should be a prop, in other words. You shouldn’t feel like the horse interferes. They should move seamlessly with you.”

Robin Jung– “Showmanship should be like your first job interview. You should be confident in yourself, as far as being confident in what you’re doing. Don’t be someone you’re not. Don’t expect anymore of yourself or your horse that they can give you at that particular time. Just like in a job, don’t interview to be a cook when what you really want is to be an engineer. The same goes for your horse and yourself. Make sure that you’re capable of doing the pattern that you’re asked of that day. I’m very key on stops. Showmanship should be very much about straight and precise stops and, when you get up to the judges, great setups. Showmanship all stems from Halter. It’s very important that your setups are correct.”