Brookleigh Adult Riding Club Open Showman

Brookleigh ARC’s first Showman competition is a three phase event including dressage, show jumping and in-hand classes. More info

Choice of 5 classes:

Prep A Dressage Test, Poles, & In-Hand
1A Dressage Test, 45cm Jump & In-Hand
1C Dressage Test, 65cm Jump & In-Hand
2A Dressage Tets, 65cm Jump & In-Hand
2C Dressage Test, 80cm Jump & In-Hand

What is a Showman Competition

The Showman competition was originally derived from International Show Horse events.

This multi-discipline competition has been designed to reward the all-round equestrian athlete with a well-developed capacity to present a horse under saddle and in-hand. Showman consists of 3 or 4 phases of equal weighting (100 marks each).

Brookleigh ARC is running a 3 Phase event consisting of Dressage, In Hand and Show Jumping. This is not a qualifying event.

Each horse and rider combination competes in each phase with only one combination of horse and rider per class. Dressage is scored as normal – percentage – with the additional phases of the competition scored out of 100 each.

A Draw will be emailed to each competitor with times.

Scores are collated and provided to the event organisers with the winner being the combination with the highest score out of 300 for each class.

1. Gear check

Dressage test

2. Gear Check (add boots, vest & adjust leathers)

Jump round

Basic Rules

Competition attire or Club uniform.
present to judge at dressage as normal for your time on the draw
complete your test and exit arena
NOTE:
Spurs must be removed for the led portion of the event
Horses are to be shown plaited and presented as if attending a show – clean and polished.

What the Judge looks for in the In-Hand phase of a Showmanship

Slightly different to a Breed show where the Judge holds the horse to a Standard of Excellence as per its breed with confirmation & type being the core of your marks, in the In-Hand phase of a Showmanship marks are given out for Presentation, Showmanship & the individual parts of the workout ie 10 points for the walk, 20 for the halt & 1st trot & so on.
So when you 1st walk in to the Judge, present your horse with his front legs square & ask him to stay there – Do not drop your reins! – then keeping an eye on where the Judge is standing in relation to looking at your horse, you yourself get out the way ie if the Judge is standing at the side of the horse you stand in front & as the Judge moves round to the back you step to the side etc as this allows the Judge full view of the horse at all times.
The workout is always relatively simple, you’ll be asked to halt, walk & trot & normally in a triangle shape, at the end ALWAYS acknowledge the Judge with a Thanks &/or a head nod as you go past/present back to. About the workout its self, make sure you’re clear on what the Judge has asked you to do, repeat it half a dozen times if you need to. Make sure your walk is active & your horse trots on when asked in a ground covering, active trot & with its head on straight – Do not look back at your horse, look where you’re going! Any halts are as previous stated, front legs square (& back if you can but that’s not so necessary) & standing still.
The key to any good workout be it In-Hand, a Ridden class, Show jumping Round or a Dressage test is practice… It’s part of your over-all marks so practice at home on the ground as you would for any other competition, get a professional in to help if you’re unsure of exactly what it is you’re meant to be practising & remember the In-Hand Judge has had the same training, has had to sit the same exams & gain the same experience as any other Judge so give them the same courtesy by knowing the In-Hand discipline.