Horse Showmanship - Equipment and Clothing

Equipment and Clothing

Cleanliness and a professional, polished look to horse and exhibitor is crucial. The team must next conform to the standard style for showing the given breed of the horse. If a horse can be shown under saddle in either English or Western equipment, the handler may choose their style of equipment, but it cannot be mixed between the two styles.

The horse shown western style is required to wear a halter and be handled with a lead shank. This is usually a well-fitted leather halter with a slim leather lead shank. The width of the leather staps of the halter may be quite heavy or very refined, depending on the breed of the horse and what looks best on an individual animal. Some show rules allow a chain under the jaw of the horse to provide extra control, other times it is not. The handler may carry a whip when showing some breeds, but usually whips are not allowed.

The horse shown hunter style wears a proper English style bridle, with the handler either leading the horse by the reins or with a lead shank attached to the bit. The horse shown saddle seat style may, depending on breed, be shown either in a modified form of the bridle used in riding classes or in an extremely thin, refined leather or leatherlike halter.

The exhibitor, male or female, must wear pants, a shirt with a tie or brooch, and boots. Some show rules require a hat. Gloves are optional, but usually worn by winning exhibitors because the provide a better grip on the lead shank and give a polished look. Jackets or vests are also optional, but common. If the handler is showing English style, they wear the same jodhpurs or breeches and boots as they would wear in a riding class, with appropriate hunt seat or saddle seat hats, neckwear, and jackets. In a few breeds, showmanship exhibitors, both male and female, may instead choose to wear a business suit similar to what might be worn to an office or other white collar work setting. Western handlers may wear either western riding clothing or a business-style outfit, augmented by a cowboy hat and boots

This event has evolved over time. In years past, it was a common to see exhibitors clad simply in neatly starched denim jeans, a pressed white shirt, necktie, hat and boots. The horse was originally shown in a simple leather stable halter. While simple clothing and equipment is still mandated at some levels of 4-H competition, in open competition and sanctioned events for various breeds, exhibitors usually follow the same style as seen in riding classes. Thus, it is common today to see Western-style exhibitors in very elaborate, appliqued ensembles bejeweled in swarovski crystals, showing horses in halters decorated with extensive amounts of sterling silver.