Showmanship

Create a supportive vibe that feels good and makes you smile, and you’ll become a more confident, effective rider.

Use our list to build your own template that'll keep you organized and prepared every time you haul your horse.

You can only get so far in learning to show without getting experienced help. When you do find a trainer or good mentor, accept the advice you’re given.

It takes time to learn all the skills required for showing your horse well. Find success faster with my five recommendations.

Western Horse Training Tips

Leslie Lange offers advice on how to fix dullness and achieve light contact in showmanship patterns.

Confidence and correctness will help you improve your showmanship score at your next horse show.

Western Horse How-To

Mastering the showmanship starts at home. Here I’ll offer some advice and share different exercises you can practice with your horse to improve your score.

Western Horse Training Videos

The Company You Keep competing at an AQHA World Show

The best time to end a training ride is when your horse is relaxed and receptive—not when he’s confused or exhausted. To become a good trainer, you have to learn where the line lies between asking too little, and asking too much.

Horsemanship

The secret to effective horse training is simple: You have to know when to quit.

Woman in a blue shirt riding horse along a pond bank.

Western Horse How-To

Don’t be blasé about warm-ups. A proper pre-ride session avoids injury and sets your horse up to perform.

Though Saddie came to Kelly Lear as a fearful, hard-to-control yearling with abuse in her past, the pair matured together into world-class competitors.

Youth Rider

Sometimes cost and pedigree and professional training aren’t what make the difference. Sometimes it’s what’s inside that counts.

Private lesson

Keep your back-up straight and precise with position pointers.

Showmanship

Make and follow a game plan to fight show-day nerves and enable you to compete at your best.

Showmanship

Share your thoughts for our next Gallop Poll!

Western Horse How-To

Sara Simons offers step-by-step instructions to keep this reader's horse from nibbling on her during showmanship classes.

Showmanship

Perfect your horse showmanship presentation by avoiding three common hand-position mistakes.

Horsemanship

Use this tip to control thick hair before you put on your Western hat.

Sharnai Thompson: Establish rapport | Photo courtesy of the American Quarter Horse Journal

Showmanship

Three veteran exhibitors share the strategies that help them excel in the show ring.

Showmanship

Use this all-inclusive checklist to keep you sane and organized on show day.

Showmanship

Looking for ways to polish your showmanship performance? These tips will sharpen your precision and help you align your horse perfectly. By Jackie Lee Jackson.