showmanship

Question
My daughter rides games, but a requirement of our 4-H club is that you have to compete in a showmanship class once a year. Since she is a game horse, we really don't want to cut her mane off to band it for 1 class (I like free flowing manes) But I was wondering, for a western showmanship class, if I don't want to band what do you think would be the next best thing, leaving the mane alone or braiding it? Thanks


Answer
Hi Joanne!

Most knowledgeable judges can clearly see that your horse is a performance horse and not a pleasure or halter horse.  I would leave the mane long just like a reiner or cutting horse.  If the judge is worth their salt at all, they will recognize that a performance horse is NOT to be banded or the mane pulled or shortened, period.

Most 4-H shows follow the basics of what is happening with AQHA.  You see cutters and reiners in halter classes all the time with beautiful long manes that are typical for what they do.  If you have a problem with a judge, send them to watch a Quarter Horse show.  That should put them back on the right path.

Good Luck and have a GREAT show season!

Smiles, Denise