Warren County Fair Showman of Showmen Contest Educational Packet

Equine

Showing Equine

Show Equipment

Leather halter and lead if showing

Western Showmanship

English bridle or leather halter and lead if

showmanship Hunt Seat Showmanship

Walking a horse

You should be on the left side of the horse with the

lead/reins in your right hand. Hold excess reins/lead

in your left hand. The excess should be arranged so

that your hand won’t be in danger of being tangled

if the horse should suddenly pull back. Hold

reins/lead about 4 to 12 inches from the brindle or

halter. This allows the horse to have a natural head

carriage. When walking or trotting the horse always

keep your eyes up and focused on your destination.

The horse’s head and neck should be straight and in

line with the body. Always turn the horse away from

you or to the right.

Setting up a horse for inspection

When setting the horse up for inspection, the

exhibitor should stand angled toward the horse.

When the exhibitor is ready for inspection, look at

the judge. This will cue the judge that you are ready

to be inspected. The horse should be set up quickly

with feet squarely underneath the body or by breed

type. The area around the horse is divided into four

quadrants – 1, 2, 3, and 4. The exhibitor should

always be in the quadrant next to the one the judge

is occupying.

Showmanship Quadrants

Showmanship

Showman of Showmen Contest Study Guide Equine

Parts of a Horse

Horse Equipment

English Bridle Western Bridle Halter Hoofpick

Sweatscraper Splint Boots Bell Boots Fly Mask

Tail Bag Lunge line Mane comb Riding crop

Warren County Fair Showman of Showmen Contest Educational Packet

Poultry

Showing Poultry

Show Equipment

Just the bird

Handling and posing the chicken

When removing the chicken from the cage, always

remove its head first. Your left hand should be over

the bird’s back and your right hand should be under

the breast, with your fingers grasping the thighs.

Place you other hand on the bird’s back. Hold the

bird at your side near your waistline. If the judge

asks for the bird, pass it with its head toward the

judge. When returning the bird to the cage, open the

door and put the bird in head first.

Holding the chicken

Showman of Showmen Contest Study Guide

Chickens

Chicken Equipment

Chicken Feeder Beak Trimer

Chicken waterer Leg bands

Parts of Chickens

Warren County Fair Showman of Showmen Contest Educational Packet

Turkey

Showing Turkeys

Show Equipment

A show cane or stick – used to move the

turkey from place to place.

Walking a Turkey

Exhibitor be positioned at the turkeys shoulder with

the show cane in the right hand. Using the show

cane gently touch the turkey to encourage it to walk

in the direction desired. Walk slowly in order for the

turkey to move at a natural comfortable gait.

Flipping a Turkey

The judge may ask you to flip the turkey in order to

display the breast of the bird. One method that can

be used is by facing the turkey directly in front of

you. Reach over the bird and firmly grasp the bird by

both legs directly above the ankle. Stand up while

flipping the bird over at the same time. Hold the

turkey up in the air directly in front of your body in

order to allow the judge to inspect the breast of

your project animal.

Showman of Showmen Contest Study Guide Turkeys

Parts of a Turkey

Turkey Equipment

Waterer Feeder Leg Bands Crates

Show cane Show stick Toenail Clippers Scale

Showing Dogs

Show Equipment

Lead – possible types include;

martingale lead, fine chain collar and

loop lead, loop lead, nylon collar, or a

nylon slide lead.

Moving a dog

One component of showmanship is moving the dog.

This is called gaiting. Dogs are moved around the

ring at a specified gait, based on breed. Most

breeds move at a controlled trot. Always keep the

dog between you and the judge. Make sure the

collar is positioned up behind the dog’s ears. The

lead should be gathered neatly in your hand with

dangling ends flapping about.

Showing a Dog

Stacking a

Dog

You must have control of the dog’s head to have

control of the dog. This is achieved in either of two

ways. One method is by making sure the show lead

is snug behind the ears, holding the lead taut and

close to the neck. Hold the lead just tight enough to

keep it in place, but not so tight as to choke the dog.

The other way is by holding the dog’s lower jaw and

cheek on the side closest to you without wrapping

your fingers around the muzzle.

Once you have control of the head, you need to

position the front legs. Start by setting the leg on

the judge’s side first. Lift and place the leg so that

you can form a straight line down from the

shoulder through the pastern, perpendicular to the

floor. When the dog’s front legs are in position, set

the rear legs.

Small dogs are shown on a table. They are lifted

on the table and stacked the same way as a larger

dog. The front feet are placed near the center

front edge of the table.

Warren County Fair Showman of Showmen Contest Educational Packet

Dog

Stacking a dog

Showman of Showmen Contest Study Guide

Dogs

Parts of the Dog

Dog Equipment

Dog Crate Leather Leash Toenail Clippers

Shredding Brush Scissors Tunnel

Warren County Fair Showman of Showmen Contest Educational Packet

Goat

Showing Goats

Show Equipment

Collar or Halter – used to control and

guide the goat

Walking a goat

You should lead the goat from the left side. Always

keep one eye on your goat and one eye on the

judge. Keep animal between you and the judge; if

you need to switch sides, go in front of the animal,

not behind.

Always keep the goat’s head up, with its body,

neck, and head in a straight line.

Setting up a goat

Setting up your animal or posing your animal for

the judge is done by putting its feet directly under

its body. If it is a lactating doe, place her rear legs

slightly back to show off her udder and her udder

attachments. However, do not place them so far

back that they look unnatural.

Walking a goat

Setting up a goat

Showing a goat

Correct foot position for a goat

Showman of Showmen Contest Study Guide

Goats

Parts of a Goat

Goat Equipment

Grooming/Milking Stand Hoof Trimmers Show Lead Nylon halter/Lead

Automatic Milker Milking Pail Ear Tag Goat Blanket

Showing Rabbits

Rabbit Showmanship

Showmanship is a combination of the 4H

member’s appearance, sportsmanship and show

ring ethics, knowledge of good husbandry and

presentation of that information, and the ability to

handle and

show the rabbit according to its ARBA breed

standard.

Posing the rabbit

Gently place the rabbit on the table in front of the

judge with its head toward your right and place your

right hand gently on the rabbits head. With your left

hand, position the front feet so they are directly

below the eyes and flat on the table. Position the

hind feet so they are directly below the hips.

Without distorting the feet placement, tuck the

rabbit’s hindquarters up just enough that the body

is compact and rounded. The rabbit should not be

stretched out or too tucked up. Place ears and tail in

proper position for the breed.

Carry the rabbit by tucking its head under your

arm while supporting its body between your side

and same arm. The

rabbit’s eyes should be covered by your elbow.

Support the hindquarters with your free hand.

Warren County Fair Showman of Showmen Contest Educational Packet

Rabbit

Showman of Showmen Contest Study Guide

Rabbits

Parts of a Rabbit

Rabbit Equipment

Water bottle Food bowl Nail clippers Carrying cage

Show table Tattoo Kit Water nipple Nest box

Show Equipment

Nylon or leather halter

Lead rope

Exhibitor should lead the llama/alpaca on the left

side of the animal. The lead line should be held in

the right hand approximately 12 -15 inches from

the animal’s cheek. The end of the lead should be

held in the left hand with loops in end to prevent

tripping. Exhibitor should walk at a natural,

comfortable gaited for the animal.

Setting Up a Llama or Alpaca

Move to the lineup by direction of the ring steward.

Check that the llama/alpaca is standing square. Feet

should be square under the animal’s body in a

natural comfortable stance. Feet should appear to

be in a rectangular box shape, with the front feet

aligned with the front and the back aligned with the

back feet. Assume the showmanship position by

standing at a 45 degree angle to the llama/alpaca

shoulder. Keep your eye on the judge and always

position yourself to give the Judge an unobstructed

view of the llama/alpaca.

Quadrants

When the judge is in quadrant 1, you’re in 2

When the judge is in 2, you’re in 1

When the judge is in quadrant 3, you’re in

2

When the judge is in quadrant in 4, you’re 1

Movements between quadrants should be smooth

and natural.

Warren County Fair Showman of Showmen Contest Educational Packet

Llama/Alpaca

Quadrants

Walking a llama/alpaca

Showman of Showmen Contest Study Guide

Llamas/Alpacas

Parts of a Llama/Alpaca

Llama/Alpaca Equipment

Halter Nylon Lead Nylon halter/lead Shears

Showing Swine

Show Equipment

Warren County Fair Showman of Showmen Contest Educational Packet

Swine

Always keep the animal between yourself and the judge.

Keep your pig moving at all times and at a

Whip or cane – used to control the direction of the animal and for encouraging the animal to move

Brush or towel – used to clean debris or manure from the animal during the show

Acceptable places for “tapping a pig” with a whip

1) Jowl and neck region

2) Shoulder and front leg region

You should never “tap” a pig in a high priced retail cut area, which includes the ham and loin. You could bruise the area and it may need to be cut out of the carcass. Also, if you tap a pig on the rump, the pig will usually tuck-in his ham and arch his top, which makes it look undesirable.

comfortable pace.

Keep your pig clear of other animals in the ring. Take all caution to prevent fighting between animals.

After entering the ring, try to keep the pig from approaching the gate through which they entered or the gate where they leave. Stay away from the corners, fences and groups of pigs.

Don’t stroll too far from the judge, but also avoid running the judge over with your pig. The best show is 15 to 20 feet from the judge, with your pig walking by itself, away from other pigs.

Stay close to and drive your pig from the neck and shoulder area by tapping lightly with the whip or cane. Don’t get too far to the front of the pig, because it may discourage it from walking, but don’t get too far away because you can lose control of your animal.

It is preferred to hold your whip in the hand that is closest to the pig, if you use them both with the same ability.

Showing a pig Alertness in the ring is extremely important.

Keep one eye on the judge and one eye on your animal at all times.

Your posture should be slightly crouching, but relaxed, with the whip or cane close to the animal. Avoid over-aggressiveness and over- showing.

Acceptable "tapping" places

Showman of Showmen Contest Study Guide Swine

Parts of a Hog

Swine Equipment

Hog Whip Cane Brush Ear Notcher Needle Teeth Nipper

Tail Cutter Hog Snare Nipple Waterer Sorting Panel Hog Slap Tattooer

Warren County Fair Showman of Showmen Contest Educational Packet

Beef Cattle

Showing Beef Cattle

Show Equipment

Halter – used to control and walk the animal Show Stick – used to assist in placing feet and to

calm and control the animal

Grooming Comb – used to fix the hair which has been messed up by the judge or other animals

Walking a beef animal You should be on the calf’s left side with the halter in your right hand. Your hand should be a maximum of 12 inches from the animal’s head. With show halters, this is often at the junction of the chain and leather strap. Do not wrap the halter around your hand or fingers as this is harder to let go if you need to, in order to prevent injury. The show stick should be carried in your left hand with the point towards the ground. Hold the animal’s head high and let it walk at a comfortable pace. Keep eye contact with the judge in case you are given instructions.

Walking a beef animal

Setting up a beef animal Smoothly switch the lead strap from your right hand to your left hand. At the same time, switch your show stick from your left hand to your right hand. Scratch the animal’s belly a couple of times to help calm the animal. Set the feet in the appropriate position. Remember, you have two tools available to set feet, the halter and the show stick. If you want a rear foot moved back, push back on the halter and press the soft tissue where the hoof is split with your show stick. If you want a rear foot moved forward, pull forward on the halter and apply pressure with your show stick under the dew claw. Front feet can be moved used your boot or your show stick. After the animal’s feet are positioned correctly, hold the animal’s head high and use deliberate strokes to scratch the animal’s belly to help keep the animal calm. Always keep one eye on the judge and one eye on your animal, in case it changes the positioning of its’ feet.

Setting up a beef animal Soft tissue where the hoof splits

Correct feet placement when setting up a beef animal

Showman of Showmen Contest Study Guide Beef Cattle

Parts of a Beef Animal

Beef Cattle Equipment

Show Halter Rope Halter Nose Lead Show Stick Show Harness Grooming Comb

Hoof Trimmers Burdizzo Dehorner Scotch Comb

Warren County Fair Showman of Showmen Contest Educational Packet

Sheep

Showing Sheep

Showing sheep Be calm and don’t be overly aggressive. Be patient with your sheep and don’t get upset if it doesn’t act perfect. You will accomplish more by working slowly, than by being hurried and impatient. Sheep react to their handler. If you are calm, they are more likely to be calm. Keep one eye on the judge and one eye on your animal at all times. Pay attention to any directions or signals from the judge, such as to turn your sheep sideways or to move to another place in the ring.

Walking a sheep Move the sheep around the ring slowly, keeping

a nice constant speed. Move the sheep with one hand under the jaw and the other hand either on the dock or behind the ears. Halters should not be used in the show ring.

Whenever you move the sheep during the show, be sure to keep the animal between you and the judge. Do not block the judge’s view of your sheep. To turn your animal, keep your hand on the jaw, not the throat, and turn its head toward your belt buckle.

The correct method for walking a sheep and holding the head.

Setting up and showing a sheep

After you have moved your sheep into position, set your sheep up. Always set the legs closest to the judge first. You will have more control if you reach over the top of the animal to set the legs with your free hand. However, many young people cannot reach over the top of the sheep, so do whatever is comfortable to you while setting up the sheep. Be careful not to pull back on the sheep’s head while setting them up or they may move backwards.

This sheep is set-up correctly Showing off the front of a sheep

Set all four legs squarely under the sheep or with the rear legs slightly farther back than square. The hind legs will be slightly wider than the front legs to make the sheep look wider from behind.

Keep the head up and the topline straight. Always keep the sheep between you and the

judge. As the judge moves around the ring, the showman should calmly switch sides around the front of the animal to keep the sheep between you and the judge.

Bracing a sheep When the judge goes to handle your sheep, there are several ways you can cause it to tighten up or “brace”. Place your knee against the sheep’s brisket and pull the head up. The sheep should push against your knee which “flexes” their muscles which makes them feel firmer and heavier muscled. Continue to brace the sheep until the judge is done handling then set the sheep back up correctly as described above.

Bracing

Parts of a Sheep

Sheep Equipment

Elastrator Elastrator Rings Foot Rot Shears Sheep Shears Bottle Nipple

Marking Harness Marking Crayon Sheep Blanket Tail Docker Wool Card