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The 4-H Project Corner ~ Articles written by 4-H’ers
This section of our website consists of short articles and
information that our 4-H’ers have written. 4-H’er should submit
their information to the 4-H office by the 20th of each
month.
Submitted by Courtney Woodard
Western breeds are always shown in a leather halter, usually
decorated in silver. They also have a leather lead shank with a
chain end that is threaded through the halter. See picture above
left (thanks, Rosemary!) for how it is done. Do NOT thread the chain
OVER the nose. Notice how the halter fits securely; just use "sticky
wax" to create the same impression with your model horses.
As an alternative (although less neat and tidy), you can double the
chain through the ring under the jaw and snap it back onto the last
ring in the chain where it attaches to the leather lead shank.
You'll need to determine what works best for the model and halter
you are using.
The following is a brief description of how the class is normally
judged:
"The showmanship class shall be judged strictly on the exhibitor's
ability to fit and show a horse at halter. The horse is merely a
prop to demonstrate the ability and preparation of the exhibitor.
The ideal showmanship performance consists of a poised, confident,
neatly attired exhibitor leading a well-groomed and conditioned
horse that quickly and efficiently performs the requested pattern
with promptness, smoothness, and precision. The showmanship is not
another halter class and should not be judged as such".
All exhibitors may enter the ring and then work individually or each
exhibitor may be worked from the gate individually. When exhibitors
are worked individually from the gate, a working order is required.
The following maneuvers are considered acceptable: lead the horse at
a walk, jog, trot or extended trot, or back in a straight or curved
line, or a combination of straight and curved lines; stop; and turn
90 (1/4), 180 (1/2), 270 (3/4), 360 (full turn) degrees or any
combination or multiple of these turns. The judge must have
exhibitors set the horses up squarely for inspection sometime during
the class.
Use of markers [pylons / cones] help to standardized patterns and
guide exhibitors but they also increase the degree of difficulty."
Exhibitors lead from the left side of the horse with their right
hand on the lead strap, about 8 to 12 inches from the halter. Excess
lead strap is held in left hand in a round coil.
When it is her turn to do an individual workout, (above photo) the
handler will move around to the near [left] side of the horse in
order to lead him through the pattern, as in the 2 previous photos.
Clothing: Western hat and boots, long-sleeved shirt, and
dress jeans or Western-style pants. No chaps! You can't walk in
chaps. Have fun and Happy Showing!
Courtney
Woodard wants to know “How many parts of a horse can you name?”
Courtney is a rising 7th grade 4-H’er who attends East
Hall Middle School. She has competed in DPA since 4th
grade and has been a 1st place winner many times.
Courtney is an excellent rider and is extremely knowledgeable about
horses.
Haley Woodard, a rising 11th grader who attends East Hall
High School and a longtime 4-H’er in the Horse Project has submitted
this for you!
This month she has a horse quiz for all you booklovers out there.
You can ask Haley if you want to know the answers.
1.
What is the name of the little grey pony in the book Black Beauty?
2.
What three girls always star in the Saddle Club books?
3.
Who gave Black Beauty his name?
4.
Where do the Saddle Club girls live?
5.
What was the sequel to the My Friend Flicka?
6.
Who wrote the novel Black Beauty?
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