Mare Studbook Placements

individually assessed. The horses progress in a large circle (usually around the triangle) with the judges standing in the center (Figure 6). The judges may then ask the handlers to change the relative positions of the horses so that at the conclusion of the class the best horse leads the parade, followed by the second, then the thirdplaced horse, and so on until the entire class is ranked.

When the walk is shown, it is important to keep the horse moving actively forward at all times with purposeful, ground-gaining steps. The handler must move with large resolute, unhurried, marching steps in time with the horse. If on the circle, do not allow yourself to be crowded by the horse in front of you. Instead, increase the size of the circle by moving to your left.

The Trot When trotting the triangle, straightness and correctness of gaits are evaluated primarily when the horse is moving toward or away from the commission on the short sides of the triangle. Purity and quality are best judged when the horse is seen in profile as it travels along the far side. The handler must move the horse in a straight line away from and toward the judges, keeping the animal in motion around the turns if at all possible. This will be easier to accomplish if the handler does not hug the side of the triangle, thus making the corner too tight. The handler should focus on a spot to the left of and beyond the marker of the triangle and make a wide, round turn, maintaining as much momentum as possible for the trip down the far side. When the horse is returned to the judges, the handler should focus on a point in line with, but beyond them and move straight toward them (Figure 7).

The greatest challenge of showing on the triangle is to get the horse to develop its optimum, balanced, ground-gaining trot on the far side. This is the trot that takes the spectators’ breath away – the extended trot with strong rein contact. The handler needs to exert maximum

A MARE’S TURNOUT ON INSPECTION DAY SHOULD BE IMMACULATE.

Above: Hyperbole CWH, owned and bred by Clearwater Hanoverians of Georgetown, KY, was Champion Hanoverian mare at the Spry Family Farm inspection.

effort, taking large steps in time with the horse. If the horse canters, bring it immediately back to trot – this is when the best trot steps are likely to occur.

Conditioning Exercises for Horse and Handler Mares are at least 3 years of age when they are presented. They should be subjected to some sort of systematic, regular exercise for at least 30 days prior to the inspection in order to develop condition. If they have not been lunged this would be an excellent time to teach them. Consider the following exercise: lunge the horse at the trot in a circle at one end of the arena. Ask the horse to extend down part of the long side, resume the circle (or circles) then extend again (Figure 8). The handler goes with the horse as it extends and catches his breath while the horse circles. This exercise will not only improve the condition of the handler and the horse, it will give the handler a feel for moving out in harmony with the horse and help him gauge the size of his steps in relation to the horse’s. Whip Handling When presenting the horse, the horsehandler should not carry a whip. A whip carried by the horse-handler causes the horse to carry its haunches to the inside and the horse is then not straight. One needs a whip-handler. This is a person equipped with a lunging whip. A small plastic bag may be attached to the end of the lash. Wielding his whip, the whiphandler follows behind the moving horse, keeping it moving. When the horse is standing still, the whip-handler positions himself so that he can assist in maintaining the horse’s attention by flicking the lash of the whip on the ground.

The function of the horse-handler is to guide the horse and keep it straight; the function of the whip-handler is to keep the horse moving when it is supposed to move and attentive when standing still. (The USEF Rule Book permits one assistant if necessary when showing Dressage/Sporthorses in hand).

If you do not bring a whip-handler, one can usually be found at the inspection site. However, it is far better to provide your own, one with whom you or your handler and your horse have practiced, so that you can present a wellfunctioning unit.

INSPECTORS

Figure 3: Walking the horse away from end toward the inspectors, bisecting the triangle.

INSPECTORS

AHS POLICY PERMITS MARES TO BE TURNED LOOSE FOR EVALUATION OF THE TROT AT LIBERTY AFTER PRESENTATION ON THE TRIANGLE, TIME AND FACILITIES PERMITTING. THIS CAN BENEFIT MARES WHO MAY BE RELUCTANT TO SHOW THEIR BEST MOVEMENT WITH A HANDLER.

Above: Little Latitudes, owned by Elizabeth Schneider of Huntingtown, MD, presented at the Fox Lair inspection. INSPECTORS

Figure 5: Walking around “small” triangle.

Preparation and Turnout for Inspection Day Inspection day is a very important one in your mare’s life. The scores that she receives will remain with her for life (unless she is re-inspected), and will determine her studbook placement. At the time of the inspection the mare must be immaculately groomed. She must be bathed, braided, and trimmed. The tail should be banged at the bottom about a hand’s width above the fetlock. It’s wise not to have the mare’s feet trimmed or shod immediately prior to the inspection. Having the feet attended to about three weeks beforehand by your usual farrier will eliminate the chance of the mare being foot sore from trimming or shoeing.

You may elect to have a handler show your horse for you, but that handler must also understand what is required as well as be able to run with the horse. At the larger inspection sites, mare owners are usually able to hire a handler who knows his task, but he will not succeed if you have not practiced with your horse and crew at home.

At inspection, both the horse-handler and the whip-handler must be neatly, functionally, and inconspicuously dressed. Do not wear riding clothes, as it’s difficult to run in tall boots. Wear jogging shoes, preferably ones with leather or man-made uppers. Do not wear jeans. These are hard to run in also, but the main reason is that jeans do not give a finished “dressed-up” appearance. Wear comfortable slacks that allow freedom of movement. Select a shirt that gives a trim, tailored appearance. Bring extra shirts in case they become soiled, and choose colors that flatter the horse. It would be quite in order for a man to wear a necktie. When you have chosen the clothes that you will wear at the inspection, practice in them to make sure that they are comfortable and functional.

Proper presentation of a mare is a real challenge, much work, and a lot of fun. Doing it correctly can be a rewarding experience.

Barbara Richardson is an Emeritus member of the AHS Mare and Stallion Committee. INSPECTORS

Figure 6: Class walking on the circle.

Focus Here

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Extended Trot Focus Here

Trot Trot

INSPECTORS

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Focus Here

Figure 7: Trotting the triangle (whip handler follows).

Extended Trot Extended Trot

Extended Trot Extended Trot

Figure 8: Exercises for conditioning horse and handler. Practice both directions.