The Finer Points: Showmanship Cross-Over

By: Brittany Bevis

Ah, the cross-over. It’s a crucial part of every Showmanship pattern. The judges’ inspection portion of this event provides each competitor with an opportunity to insert a little personal flair. It’s the time when the judges will see you up close and personal.

While there is specific criteria to follow indicating which side of the horse you should be on, when the judge reaches a certain position on the animal, HOW you get there is up to interpretation.

Are you a “1-2-3” exhibitor? Do you start with the inside leg or the outside? Are you a step and pivot kind of person?

Scroll below to see what some of our The Equine Chronicle readers had to say on this topic.

Karen Ricketts– “1-2-3 and start on the outside foot. I used to practice with an ironing board as my horse.”

Tina White– “Do what’s comfortable, easy, cadenced, and efficient. Do it the same way every time. That makes it efficient and consistent. Don’t fall down. Like most things in life, it’s fairly easy.”

Karla Elsenpeter– “I do it step, cross, step, together. 1, 2, 3, 4.”

Jessica Heyen– “It comes so naturally to me that I had to go back and watch my World Show video from 2019. Definitely a 1-2-3 together, starting with the leg closest to the nose, not the shoulder. But honestly, I do what feels the most comfortable and looks natural.”

Jordan Perry– “I start with the foot on the outside, closest to my horse’s nose about halfway across, bring my other foot over, and step together. With each crossover, I glance down at my horse’s feet, make eye contact with my inspector, and smile.”

Victoria Hill– “1-2-3 together starting with the inside leg. Looks smoother and less awkward. Stay focused and balanced.”

Mary Bluhm Holsten– “Like the ‘Electric Slide,’ I always step, cross, step, together. The leg closest to the horse moves first. The question that I always consider: Should the foot cross in front or behind? In dance, I always cross behind, but for the inspection, I feel that it looks more natural, for me anyway, to cross in front. As I watch others, I have noticed some exhibitors doing less steps and twisting or pivoting their bodies. Personally, I don’t prefer this style because it doesn’t look as fluid and feels outdated, but I have seen many exhibitors do it well and be successful! Overall, I appreciate an exhibitor that’s confident in their steps and portrays a passion and desire for the class.”

Debbie Arnold– “I quit running in the dirt with a horse beside me many years ago. I would get kicked out for lameness!”

Kelsey Keathly– “In my brain, I say ‘cross, step, together’… so it’s three steps with a slight pivot at the end as I snap my heels together. The first leg to move is the one closest to the horse’s shoulder. Granted, I have not shown since 2017.”

Marissa Campbell– “Growing up in 4H, it was always inside leg. However, the outside leg looks way more natural. Over the years of competing, doing clinics, and watching the big shows, just keep it consistent AND LOOK NATURAL! No need to be a bouncing robot.”

Taylor Wheaton– “When I was in 4-H, it was 1-2-3. However, my Showmanship skills have evolved over the years. Now, I do it as 1-2-3-4: step, cross, step, together. It makes the inspection look less rushed and doesn’t allow for me to drop my upper body down doing it this way. When I was younger, I used to drop my entire upper body and then stand back up… the ‘pop up’ if you will… This gave a sloppy look, in my opinion, and it’s now one of my biggest pet peeves when I see it.”

Michelle Bowman- “When I started out, I did the inside leg, 1-2-3, but it was too rigid and ballerina-ish. As I got older and competed at a higher level, it evolved to a more natural 4-step starting with the outside leg. My phrase is ‘out, cross, step, together.’”

Callie Jo Ware– “I use my ‘leading leg’ as I call it when giving lessons. Step, cross, step, together. I’ve found it’s more smooth, natural, less bouncy, and my girls tend to fumble less with their feet. The worst is the bounce and snap back up.”

Beth Tolhurst- “I was little and short when I learned, so I always took too many steps, but I teach my kids the same way. It makes it look smooth, and you don’t see their heads bobbing up and down. ‘Step, cross, step, cross, step together.’ Bigger kids and adults lose the extra step. ‘Step, cross, step, together.’”

Barbara Foster– “I think everyone needs to evaluate what works best for them. It should be flowing and always facing the horse. If you’re blessed with long legs, a cross over with the outside leg can be a beautiful flowing dance. But some people with shorter appendages don’t look quite as fluid when that short leg has to crank on the hips to get across. I try different moves (basically get across while facing the horse) for each individual. Some young people can grow into a different move later. Bottom line…confident, erect, and fluid flowing movements.”

Ashlynn Balmer Kenoyer- “Steps depend on the height and length of the leg of the person. Shorter people look better with shorter steps, so 1-2-3-4. Long legs can handle three steps. You always step with the leg closest to the horse’s nose, so you don’t trip.”

Nichole McColley– “I teach mine to keep it natural. My six-foot son is going to take less steps than my five-foot client. It’s a freestyle dance, not a specific footfall. Do what’s the most natural for you to get over to the other side. Don’t be artificial, and don’t pop when you get to the other side. The big thing is to maintain your position and poise.”

Cheryl Melody Grove– “To get around my horse without bumping his muzzle, losing my frame, and not being robotic is the finesse I work on daily. At first, I was 1, 2, 3 feet together and smile, but making that transition look effortless and smooth is the confidence I’m developing.”

Rose Sheffer– “Outside, cross, step together…works for our show group.”

Jasmine B Pumphrey– “Facing your horse’s left foot, step, right foot cross in front of left foot, left foot step, together with a slight pivot so toes are pointing the horse. Little kids may have to take an additional step.”

Brenda Weyers– “Step-cross-step-together! Ingrained in my brain by my trainer!”

Roni Murphy- “I’m a ‘don’t hit your horse in the nose with your bosom’ kind of person.”

Kasey Thiel– “1, 2, 3 together. Outside leg first, always.”

Jessica Rister- “Outside foot, 1, 2, 3 step together.”

Brianne Mathews– “1, 2, 3, together. As a 4-H advisor, this gives me PTSD from trying to correct the kids that take one giant leap across…”

Jan Gates– “1-2-3-4 together, but I am 5’1.”

Jocelind Knapp– “Always, always outside leg and 1, 2, 3 together, as in the three steps and close your stance with boots together, toes even. If you watch me, I’m definitely saying ‘1, 2, 3, together’ in my head while trying not to look like I am.”

Kaleena Katz Weakly- “Outside foot, big steps (depending on if your short or tall it may not be 1, 2, 3, but usually close) I never use a pivot motion.”

Elizabeth Gall– “I’m planning to start Showmanship this year, and even though I have no idea how to do it, I was in marching band forever so it should be easy for me… we hope.”

Mikey Trueba– “I grew up with the 1-2-3 and always starting with inside leg. Over the years, I feel that cross-over looks so ridged and robotic. Leading with the outside I feel looks smoother and natural.”

Grace Curson– “1, 2, 3, together. Step out, cross over, step out, together. Now I can do this in my sleep, until I got to the World Show. Totally blanked and made a rookie mistake. Nerves I guess.”

Kari Ellingson– “I think whatever makes you look/feel more natural and less forced and awkward in such an awkward class.”

Nikki Barba– “I’m just thankful that I don’t hit my toe of one boot on the heel of the other, causing me to ungracefully trip, hoping to catch myself before I accidentally yank the lead, then send my horse backward into an unsuspecting judge or steward.”

Jenn Compton– “I still hear that first trainer tell me to follow, meet me, get out of my way. In the time it takes for me to hear that, I take the step with the outside foot. Unconventional, yes.”

Christi Cothren Garner– “I practiced hours with the horse and with a chair.”

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