There seems to be an increasing amount of Judges in the show ring, who amongst other
criteria, are looking for a freely moving horse connected to their handler. To show a horse at
its best it needs to understand how to use his own body in movement and groundwork skills
will enhance the elegance of the picture presented, whilst horsemanship will create a strong
connection with their handler. The horse needs to be with its handler and those that move
before a Judge in sync with their handler creates a harmonious show for the Judge.
When a horse either runs away from the handler, refuses to stop or is dragged along, it does
not show the horse in the best light. However when trained to transition paces and move
through our body language the horse will relax and become attentive. We can use our
shoulders to guide the horse around a turn our strides to create flow and our energy levels
to increase or decrease pace.
The handler needs to go into the show ring with a plan and a responsive horse. With a loose
lead rein the handler should direct with subtle signals to change pace and direction and
keep the horse interested and on cue. Positioning should be at the horses shoulder,
remembering that in both groundwork and ridden our shoulders match the horses
shoulders.
Groundwork teaches the horse to be relaxed, attentive and responsive and lateral work
helps with suppleness and strength. Taught correctly both will inevitably create a quiet,
free moving horse waiting on instruction. Such work also creates correct posture and
muscle development all of which enhance movement. Groundwork can also teach
collection, extension and a square halt all of which are necessary to show the horse off at its
best before the Judge. Refined horsemanship skills will help the horse and handler cope
with any showing anxiety as they will be less concerned about the environment around
them which should mean that all energy can be directed to present the horse rather than
control the horse.
Performance in the show ring is another example of how proper foundation training using
groundwork and horsemanship is so useful in all disciplines throughout the horses lifetime
and is not just a part of early training in preparation for ridden work.
Franck Jeanguillaume