Showmanship Information

What is Showmanship?

Showmanship is all about presenting an animal in the best way possible. A good showman can highlight an animal's best features and work well with it as a team. To become a successful showman, you need to plan ahead and practice regularly. Showmanship is exciting and also teaches valuable life lessons.

These lessons include:

• Responsibility: Taking charge and doing your best.

• Work and Determination: Understanding the effort needed to reach your goals.

• Graceful Winning and Dignified Losing: Handling both success and defeat with poise.

• Interpersonal Skills: Communicating with others and the judge

In showmanship, your goal is to emphasize the positive traits of your animal while minimizing any negatives. Stay positive and confident, even if the animal is uncooperative or if other showmen are more experienced. Pay attention to the judge’s feedback and learn from it. Always thank the judge with a handshake and walk away with pride if you’ve done your best.

When showing your animal:

• Know Your Animal: Be prepared to provide information about your animal: Breed, gender, birth date, sire, dam, body part names, name, weight, what you feed it, etc.

• Eye contact with the Judge: As you speak to or walk around the arena, make eye contact with the judge and follow their hand signals or verbal commands.

• Positioning: Position as directed by the judge and ensure the judge has a clear view of your animal.

Showmanship Videos