showmanship

Question
In a showmanship class, would you be penalized for talking to your horse? My horse will do a pattern real well with voice comands, and I hardly have to use the lead line, but i didn't know if all that talking is "allowed". Thanks

Answer
I have not done showmanship classes as I grew up in the hunter/jumper ring.  However, equitation classes and sportsmanship awards were fairly similar to a showmanship class as far as how the rider or handler is judged.  Verbal commands are allowed.  However, the handler or rider who achieves the expected results with the least amount of effort is always going to pin higher than the competitor with the same performance displaying more effort.  So ideally, the more you can control and hide your work, the better you will do.