Conference noted::equitation

    Dani,
    
    Are you showing at breed shows or the open circuit...it makes a
    difference.  Usually at breed shows they show the quarter system
    which is quite different and somewhat more complicated than (what
    I call) standard showmanship that is common on the open circuit.
    
    J.

    
    Oh!  I knew there was stuff I didn't know...  Here's more specifics:
    
    I'm showing at a Pinto show.  Pintos come in 4 types: Stock, Hunter,
    Pleasure and Saddle.  I own a Hunter type and will there for be
    showing him in hunter braids, etc... in the English showmanship
    class.  I'm still not sure there will be ample preparation time
    to show in the Western showmanship class.
    
    I had no idea there were different judgeing systems! While I'm here
    I have a few more questions.
    
    How likely is it, that we will be asked knowledge questions?
    My horse almost always moves just as the judge gets to us. Is this
    counted against us?  I thinkI've been told you are not allowed to
    touch the horses legs in a showmanship class but it's ok in the
    breed halter classes. Is that true?
    
    Hope this helps clarify the grounds for my questions.
    
    Thanks for any help!
    
    Dani_who_has_a_lot_to_learn_in_3_weeks
    
    

    HI !!  I MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU ON THE SHOWMANSHIP QUESTIONS -
    I HAVE A YOUTH TEAM ON THE APPALOOSA CIRCUIT & WE HAVE MOSTLY THE
    SAME JUDGES & MY DAD IS A PAINT - PINTO JUDGE.
    
    OF COURSE EVERY JUDGE HAS HIS PET PEAVES (WHAT HE WILL MARK HARDER
    ON THAN ANOTHER JUDGE).  BUT BASICALLY WHEN YOU ENTER THE RING IF
    THE JUDGE HAS THE WHOLE CLASS ENTER AT ONCE YOU WILL BE EXPECTED
    TO ALMOST MARCH ALONG CHECKING THE JUDGE EVERY 3 OR 4 STEPS - AS
    YOU ARE LEADING YOUR HORSE YOU SHOULD BE JUST A LITTLE IN FRONT
    OF HIS SHOULDER - THE END OF THE LEAD SHOULD BE EITHER IN A FIGURE
    EIGHT PATTERN OR A CIRCLE - NEVER HOLD THE CHAIN PART OF THE SHANK.
    
    NOW WHEN THEY ASK YOU TO LINE UP YOU SHOULD SPACE YOURSELF FAR ENOUGH
    FROM THE OTHER HORSES AND BE SURE YOU ARE IN A STRAIGHT LINE - WHAT
    HAPPENS ALOT WITH THE YOUTH IS THEY ARE SHORT AND DO NOT REALIZE
    WHEN THEY GO INTO LINE THAT THEY ARE NOT REALLY STRAIGHT.  THEN
    YOU HAVE TO SQUARE YOUR HORSE UP - I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PERFECT
    SET UP IS IF THE JUDGE IS STANDING IN FRONT OR ON THE SIDE OF THE
    HORSE HE ONLY SEES 2 FEET THE OTHERS ARE PERFECTLY IN LINE.  
    
    NOW I WILL TRY TO EXPLAIN THE QUARTER SYSTEM - ONCE YOU LEARN IT
    IT MAKES THE MOST SENSE BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT STRAINING TO SEE THE
    JUDGE......THINK OF YOUR HORSE AS BEING CUT IN QUARTERS - STRAIGHT
    DOWN HIS BACK AND ACROSS HIS WITHERS - YOU SHOULD BE ON THE SAME
    SIDE AS THE JUDGE WHEN HE IS BEHIND THE WITHERS AND THE OPPOSITE
    SIDE WHEN HE IS IN FRONT OF THE WITHERS....IF YOU START TO MAKE
    A MOVE THINKING THE JUDGE IS GOING BY THE WITHERS OR THE LINE KEEP
    GOING DO NOT LET HIM THINK HE HAS THROWN YOU - NOW THE TRICK PART
    YOU SHOULD START DOING THIS SHOWING 3 TO 4 HORSES DOWN THE LINE
    ON EITHER END......A GOOD JUDGE WILL KNOW WHATS HAPPENING & WILL
    NOTICE IT - 
    
    ALWAYS LOOK THE JUDGE RIGHT IN THE EYE
    MAKE ALL YOUR MOVES VERY CONFIDENTLY
    NEVER TOUCH YOUR HORSE TO SET HIM UP (PRACTICE SETTING HIM UP IN
    A QUIET PLACE AT HOME & HAVE HIM STAND FOR 10 MINUTES OR SO THAT
    WAY)
    MOVING YOUR HORSE ON THE LINE ALWAYS DIRECT THE HORSES FEET AT THE
    JUDGE - LOOK BACK TO SEE YOU ARE LINED UP WITH THE JUDGE BEFORE
    TROTTING.
    
    I HOPE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND MY INSTRUCTIONS ITS MUCH EASIER TO SHOW
    SOMEONE....ITS A GREAT CLASS & IF YOU DO IT WELL IT IS A REWARDING
    CLASS.........ENJOY!!!!  IF I CAN HELP YOU FURTHER PLEASE LET ME
    KNOW..
    
    WHEN IS THE SHOW???   WHERE????
    (MY SISTER JUST BOUGHT AWIE CHIEF)
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    
    
    Thanks so much for the pointers!  I have a much clearer idea of
    where to be standing.  Thank you!
    
    The New England Pinto Horse Association Area Championship show is
    being held at the TriCounty Fairgrounds in North Hampton (sp) Mass
    on Sept 19.  This show has triple points.  on Sunday the following
    day a multi-judge show will be held at the same place (Sept 20 -
    double points).  The class list looks quite full.
    
    (RE: 278.3) Will you be heading out to the show?  
    
    Dani
    

    NO - I WON'T BE ABLE TO MAKE IT - I AM JUDGING THAT DAY MYSELF.
    WHO ARE THE JUDGES ??? I MAY KNOW THEIR STYLE.
    
    ANOTHER THING TO WORK WITH IS WHEN YOU ARE SHOWING YOUR HORSE TRY
    TO ALWAYS HAVE YOUR TOES POINTED AT THE HORSES FEET - IT MAKES FOR
    A SHARPER ALL AROUND LOOK THAN JUST STRAIGHT AHEAD...
    
    I'M JUDGING A SHOW AT THE CLARKS FARM IN WILBRAHAM AT THE END OF
    SEPTEMBER IS THAT ASSOCIATED WITH THE PINTO - PAINTS????  
    
    SO, WHATS NEW IN THE PINTO-PAINT WORLD - WHO IS TOPS????
    
    

    
    No kidding!  Tha fall show at the Clarks will also have Pinto classes
    in the other ring (or do you have your Pinto card?)  I think the
    turnout may be low for that show because it follows the huge one
    by only one week.  
    
    I'll check the judges and get back to this note.  
    
    As for who's on top?  Geez I really don't know.  I went to the last
    Pinto show (I went only one day out of two) as a tester.  I hadn't
    shown in over year, due to back injury.  Dice has been nursing a
    sore shoulder.  We did super well!  I feel funny about telling people
    how well we did, so suffice to say the judge really liked us.  This
    judge was from Canada. Gary someone.  If I'd been to more shows
    I might have an idea how other folks are doing, but I worked in
    the booth at the shows I managed to get to and as a consequence I
    don't have a feel for the standings.
    
    BAck when I get some judges names.
    
    Dani