halter Classes

Question
QUESTION: What is the difference between a halter class and a showmanship class??? I've done showmanship with my 6 year old dun quarter horse. She is built wonderfully, with Sonny Dee Bar as her "grandpa". I wanted to start halter classes with her, either open or AQHA. I have no experience with it, and since my horse is a barrel horse, I really don't want to have to shave her ears or cut her mane, but will this affect my score??? Also, is there a certain pattern you have to do or a type of halter your horse has to wear, like showmanship??? Thanks, JoAnne

ANSWER: Dear JoAnne:
In a nutshell- a halter class is based in the horse and showmanship on the handler's ability to show the horse. Having said this, if a handler cannot present or set up a horse correctly- this may drop the horse despite the quality of the animal. Also, in a showmanship class- the turnout of the horse is critical- so while the horse may not be the "poster boy" for his breed- he must still be immaculately groomed, with a healthy coat and showing evidence of excellent care and nutrition.
You do need to turn your horse out appropriately for halter (especially depending on the level of showing you do) and this means proper grooming appropriate for your breed. You will not attend an AQHA show and see halter classes with unclipped ears (they are lightening up somewhat on manes because of reining- but a pulled mane is still the norm). Ultimately, this is your decision, but yes, it will affect your placing- probably in both types of classes.
In regard to halter and pattern- there is no pattern like a showmanship- but there is a class routine and if you visit the AQHA website or look at the AQHA rule book, you will see the expectation. The very best (and certainly the most fun) way to learn how to do halter is to go to Quarter Horse Show (or rent a video of AQHA Nationals) and watch the pro's do it. You can lear a great deal by watching a professional handler. Also, see if there isn't a locat QH trainer who will offer a class or a clinic on QH halter.
Best wishes,
Shelley

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for "straightening me out" about halter and showmanship. Still, about clipping ears and banding manes, what about an open halter class??? Is this the norm for all breeds??? My horse is a pasture/game horse so clipping ears won't be good for me becasue of flies (without keeping a fly mask on all the time) and, quite honestly, I think a banded mane looks a bit "goofy" when its un banded!!! like I said, my horse is built very well, but i just don't know about clipping and banding. Thanks again for answering my question, and for being the first person to answer me and not confuse me more!!!

Answer
Dear JoAnn:
Thanks for your kind words. I sympathize with your plight and many aspects of showing (especially at the higher levels) regrettably become very political and are not necessarily in the best interests of the horse. Even in an open(mixed breed) show, your horse is judged as a representative of his breed and a qualified open judge will look at your horse accordingly. The only breeds (perhaps somewhat ironically) that do not routinely clip ears in North America are the warmbloods as they tend to follow a European model. You need to decide where your priorities lie- you WILL be docked for turnout if your horse isn't clipped (assuming all other aspects of the competition are even- meaning that you will still place over a conformationally faulted animal or a malnourished animal etc. but if all other aspects are the same- the fine point of "proper" grooming can be the tie breaker). There are some great fly masks out there with nose and ear guards and as long as they are properly fitted, cleaned regularly and checked daily for debris, my horses have never had any problem with them. Again JoAnn- it's a choice that you need to make- how important is showing halter? It sounds as though barrels are your main focus and that halter is kind of a "fun" sideline.If so, I wouldn't stress over it- enjoy your horse and do what's right for the two of you.
Best wishes,
S. Evans