Posting Patterns Online Ahead of Time
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by: Doreen Shumpert
Photos By David Shumpert & Brittany Bevis
For those of us who grew up showing horses in a bygone era, you’re probably familiar with the nerve-wracking experience of running to the show office in search of the pattern for your Horsemanship, Showmanship, or Trail class and feeling the pressure to get it memorized in time. For all-around competitors, that process usually involved several patterns a day.
But is simple pattern memorization really a true test of a rider’s horsemanship skills? Nowadays, most large breed circuits post patterns online, often many weeks in advance of the show.
However, isn’t part of being a real horseman having to maneuver our equine partners through a series of unexpected obstacles or maneuvers?
It could be said that opinions fall on “both sides of the cones” with this topic. Some people believe that posting patterns online before a show misses the point of true horsemanship entirely. Others see it as a way to level the playing field by emphasizing the mental aspect of equestrian sports.
The Equine Chronicle asked some top trainers and competitors the following question:
Do you think it’s right to post show patterns online, often weeks prior to an event? Or, do you think this practice takes “true horsemanship” out of the equation?
Mike and Robbin Jung
Jung Performance Horses
“We think posting patterns online, ahead of time, is fair, as long as everyone has access to the patterns and everyone knows how to find them. We think that posting patterns early is good for the level one and walk/trot exhibitors, because it takes some of the anxiety out of the arrival process at a big horse show. They can prepare beforehand, memorize, and practice the pattern. There are still the variables of how big, small, or tight the pattern will be set and at what angle in the arena it will appear. This usually gives enough challenge to a level one rider. Many times, level one riders that want to step up into level two have to learn a second pattern. This scares them, so they are unwilling to give it a try. Posting patterns early helps with this.”
“However, we believe posting patterns online does take some of the horsemanship out of it. Remember, it is required to have patterns posted one hour before the class; most of the time, you can find patterns posted several hours beforehand. This should give level two and level three riders plenty of time to practice and be prepared for the class. Encountering a challenge and figuring out how to get yourself and your horse through it will make you a better horseman. Sometimes that requires asking questions, getting some help, and taking on the challenge. This also requires being prepared for all kinds of different maneuvers. When we encounter something we have never done before, we must take the time to learn it and figure out how to execute it correctly. Ask your friends to help, ask your trainer, or get another professional horseman’s advice. If you just ask, most of the time, people are willing to help.”
“Part of being a good horseman is being able to encounter any obstacle that’s put in front of us. It’s part of the pattern to see who can pick the best path to follow and who can make the pattern look the smoothest. The challenge of the class is to be able to memorize and execute a pattern without major mistakes. The other part of the challenge is to see how a person reacts to the horse when a minor mistake happens. When mistakes happen and someone fixes it correctly and quickly you might hear someone say, ‘Now that was good horsemanship.’ It’s a part of the class to accept the challenge and perform the pattern in seamless harmony with your horse.”
“Additionally, I think posting patterns for the level one championship shows, days or weeks prior, is a good idea. It helps bring down the anxiety level of the exhibitor. Many times, it’s a rider’s first big show. Posting patterns in advance helps them feel prepared and more comfortable when they get there. Make the experience a good one.”
“For other shows, I think it’s part of the challenge of the class to arrive at the show, find out what your patterns are, and then figure out how you are going to execute them that day with what you have trained your horse to do. Every challenge teaches us something, and if we learn something that day, we will be more prepared for our next challenge.”
Joanna Ruffino
Rocky Mountain Performance Horses
www.rockymountainperformancehorses.com
“In my opinion, posting patterns early and online or otherwise can be beneficial, depending on your organization. If you’re used to going to a show where the patterns are fairly simple, I don’t believe they need to be posted ahead of time. However, if you’re going to a show where the pattern is complex with a lot of intricate detail, then I feel that providing the pattern early can help widen the gap between who deserves to win and who doesn’t.”
“I also believe that a pattern is left up to interpretation. A true horseman will mold the pattern to the advantages of their personal style. As someone who works a lot with kids and younger horses, I try to play to our strengths in each pattern class individually. For instance, if I have a kid and pony that set up really well in Showmanship, we really make sure to showcase and emphasize that part of the pattern. By having our patterns early, I’m able to make sure my kid and pony alike understand that this part of the pattern is the most important for us because it’s our strength.”
“As a trainer, I practice patterns, or facets of patterns, every time I ride, so I don’t think giving the pattern early depreciates the value of being a true horseman or their capabilities. I think it gives the horseman the ability to hone their strengths and truly finesse what will be presented to the judges.”
Cindy Chilton-Moore
“With today’s technology, it’s especially important to post patterns online in order for horse shows to compete for business. For entry-level participants, this service provides an opportunity to practice and build confidence. Being exhibitor-friendly attracts participants. Many feel that horse show competition is stressful. Therefore, providing an opportunity for a successfully-executed pattern eases some of the anxiety.”
“The pattern class is designed to evaluate the exhibitor’s ability to execute, in concert with their horse, a set of maneuvers prescribed by the judge with precision and smoothness while exhibiting poise and confidence and maintaining a balanced, functional and fundamentally correct body position.” – AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations
“This is not an easy feat—regardless of the exhibitor’s skill-set. The horse industry is vying for discretionary dollars. It’s important to keep in mind that this is a very labor-intensive activity. Horses require care, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. On the other hand, you can just park your jet ski in the winter. Jet skis don’t have to be fed or watered every day.”
“Even the National Collegiate Equestrian Association acknowledges the importance of posting patterns in advance. As outlined in the NCEA Manual, pattern distribution is required 15 days prior to a meet.”
“Horses have always required exhibitors to respond ‘on the fly.’ Our beloved horses can react when alarmed due to the flight response. This behavior is stressful to participants of all levels. Keeping it fun and positive should always be a goal.”
Karen Banister
White Harvest Farms
“I personally like posting the patterns early. I realize memorization of pattern work is a part of horsemanship, but I feel it’s a very small part. As a judge, I want to find the best rider, not the person with the best memorization skills. The pattern itself is just a framework to show ability.”
“The pattern isn’t the test; your riding quality is. I find, particularly with older competitors, that having one less issue to steal their courage, like memorization, is a friendly gift.”
