QH Congress spinoff - Showmanship video!

[JumpQH]

OK, I didn’t want to post in the QH Congress thread because it’s off topic, but I just viewed the video that bugsynskeeter presented of the 2011 Youth World Champ (from the QH Congress thread):

Well executed showmanship patters are hard. Here is the World Champion from the 2011 AQHYA World Show - very nice, brisk, clean pattern: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pnbjvxdwnU

I just had to remark! What a smooth, smooth pattern and horse! What a great team! I’m not a showmanship fan (I hated showing in it as a youth), but man, that was NICE!

[saddleup]

I don’t enjoy Showmanship either, but I must say that having a horse who has been trained to do it is a true pleasure, just because their manners are so good.

[vtdobes]

The horse looked totally miserable to me!

[49_er]

At least the style seems to have changed from the stooped over look that was so ugly (at least to my eyes).

[baylady7]

ah, you mean the squatting method, yeah that was odd as was the stooping method.

The thing that struck me on this video was indeed the horse’s sour expression/pinned ears. Usually (not always) there is something that happened to make a horse show such a demeanor. If that were my horse re/acting that way towards me, I would be concerned.

[mvp]

What’s the “squatting” vs. “stooping” methods you guys are talking about?

I do like a horse who will heel like a dog. But this one looked annoyed while being asked to turn away from his handler. Also, the first circle seemed to have the guy’s shoulder on the horse’s cheek-- not the same cushion of space around the handler that you saw later. The “always keep eye contact with the judge” and “move around the horse with military precision” looks stilted to me. Should it be smoother?

[VaqueroToro]

AFAIK, “squatting” is jogging along with your knees really bent to prevent the horse from popping up his head at the start/end. “Stooping” is bending at the waist forward upon takeoff (either walk to jog) to prevent the horse from popping his head up.

I watched the linked video plus some of the others that popped up in the recommended area…

I’m extremely jealous of how well these horses pivot and self-square up.

But I’m also amazed that seldom are the handlers in step with the horse, ie, left foot to left front hoof, right foot to right front hoof. I’ve always been drilled to make sure you’re in time with the horse.

And I think you’re right, mvp, he brushed his shoulder against the horse’s cheek on that first circle which is a huge no no. I did like the crispness of his quarters (again, another thing that was drilled – do your quarters with military precision) and keeping eye contact is important since you never know if the judge is going to throw you a Crazy Ivan (switch directions and go back the other way instead of continuing on the circle). I’m also surprised the handler didn’t look back to acknowledge the judge on the jog off, or maybe the camera just missed it.

The horse did look a bit miserable with his ears.

[sparkette]

My boy sometimes pins his ears at me when we’re practicing SMS at home, he’s never offered to kick or bit me. He’s a booger.

[QUOTE=vtdobes;6604368]
The horse looked totally miserable to me![/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=baylady7;6604630]ah, you mean the squatting method, yeah that was odd as was the stooping method.

The thing that struck me on this video was indeed the horse’s sour expression/pinned ears. Usually (not always) there is something that happened to make a horse show such a demeanor. If that were my horse re/acting that way towards me, I would be concerned.[/QUOTE]

[sandsarita]

[QUOTE=VaqueroToro;6605060]
AFAIK, “squatting” is jogging along with your knees really bent to prevent the horse from popping up his head at the start/end. “Stooping” is bending at the waist forward upon takeoff (either walk to jog) to prevent the horse from popping his head up.

I watched the linked video plus some of the others that popped up in the recommended area…

I’m extremely jealous of how well these horses pivot and self-square up.

But I’m also amazed that seldom are the handlers in step with the horse, ie, left foot to left front hoof, right foot to right front hoof. I’ve always been drilled to make sure you’re in time with the horse.

And I think you’re right, mvp, he brushed his shoulder against the horse’s cheek on that first circle which is a huge no no. I did like the crispness of his quarters (again, another thing that was drilled – do your quarters with military precision) and keeping eye contact is important since you never know if the judge is going to throw you a Crazy Ivan (switch directions and go back the other way instead of continuing on the circle). I’m also surprised the handler didn’t look back to acknowledge the judge on the jog off, or maybe the camera just missed it.

The horse did look a bit miserable with his ears.[/QUOTE]

It has actually changed in QH where they do not want you to acknowledge the judge at the end of the pattern, esp in showmanship. The other classes it’s ok, although some judges prefer you to not.
Also, moving in step with your horse is a nice thing if you can, but all too often there is a mismatch in size between handler and horse. For me, I’ve got a big hunter at 16’2hh and I am barely 5’2". Our legs just won’t match up - mine have to move quicker than hers. With my old trail horse (15hh), I could do it, but sometimes it’s just impossible.