Showmanship Tips
General Tips
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Hard soled shoes are recommended for Grand Champion Showmanship for safety
reasons.
Sun safety hats are permitted in an outdoor ring, but NO BALLCAPS Be alert and
courteous to the judges.
Never be in-between the animal and the judge.
Always turn the animals away from you (to your right).
Alpaca:
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Matching halter and lead, and halter must fit well.
When entering the ring, avoid eye contact with your alpaca, moving at a brisk walk with
your right hand holding the lead. Your left hand will hold the extra lead, waist high.
Line up in a straight line with your alpaca standing straight and still, with the correct
stance.
Move the alpaca into the position the judge indicates, ensuring they keep the correct
stance at all times.
Beef Cattle:
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• Show Stick – should be held in your left hand, perpendicular to the ground
while walking around the ring and used for hind feet placement and slowly
and gently scratching the calf’s belly.
With the calf’s halter in your right hand circle the ring at a brisk walk,
with calf’s head up to show alertness. When asked to stop switch calf halter to left hand
and show stick to your right and place the calf’s feet.
When placing the calf’s feet head to tail the leg closest to the judge should be back
slightly, when the class is lined up place the feet square.
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Cavy:
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Lift the cavy by grasping their shoulders with your right hand, placing your left hand
under the hindquarter. Lift with your left hand and tuck the cavy under your left arm.
Pose the cavy on carpet facing the judges; back feet aligned with hips and front feet
aligned with shoulders. Use a quarter turn so the cavy is facing left when judge asks.
Hairs: show there are no foreign colours in the crown
Ears: show behind the ears to demonstrate no lice/mites or tears present
Eyes: same size, bold, bright, clear and correct eye colour for the breed
Show there are no lumps/abscesses under throat; examine stomach for pot belly. Turn
the cavy on its back while holding shoulders with right hand and using the left for
rump/hindquarter support.
Nose: point out it is dry and clean
Teeth: straight and not broken; tilt head back to show no foreign colours under neck
Body: straight legs, toenails all in place, indicate the sex. Point out there are no lumps in
groin. Return cavy to facing left position and show colour on flanks. Turn the rump to
the judge to test hair for length and condition.
Turn the cavy back to facing the judge and point out the width by placing your hands on
both sides.
Dairy Cattle:
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• Hold the end of the halter in your left hand, do not let the excess hang, have
it folded in your hand.
When entering the ring walk forwards, when the last person is in the
ring turn and walk slowly backwards, holding the calf’s head up and skin on her throat
up if need be.
When placing the feet of the calf, the leg closest to the judge should be back slightly.
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Dog:
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Bring the dog into the ring on their leash and line up in the middle of the ring.
Pose your dog when the judge asks, and order the dog to “stay” when judge says so and
walk to the side of the ring. As the judge examines your dog, you want your dog to stay
still here and not move. Upon judges examination, return to your dog.
Draft Horse:
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• Hold the lead in your right hand, the excess rope can be folded and held in
the right hand. Walk just ahead of the shoulder, by their head but not in front
of them.
• When asked to move towards the judge, hesitate long enough to square
your horse and walk in a straight line to the judge where you will stand for inspection.
The judge will ask you to jog back to the line, turn the horse (always turn to the right)
making a noticeable circle, hesitate to let the horse collect and jog in a straight line
away from the judge.
Goat:
• Walk on the left side of the animal holding the collar in your right hand, the
collar should not be down on the goats neck but up under the jaw.
• When placing their feet place their front feet square under them and
back feet slightly apart.
Light Horse:
• Hold the lead in your right hand, the excess rope can be coiled and held in
the left hand. Walk just ahead of the shoulder, by their head but not in front of
them.
• Hold both your hands in the same position, level with each other and
away from your body.
• Horse should walk with its body and head and neck straight.
Depending on the pattern requested the horse should walk, jog, stop, back up and pivot on its
hind foot willingly and promptly
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Mini Horse:
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Enter ring in alert walk, on animal’s left side, in the direction indicated by the judge.
Hold lead in right hand and remainder in the left hand.
When posing, stand near front of the mini horse so you can see the judge. Lead your
horse to the judge so they can see front leg movement; move to the side of the mini
horse so the judge may walk around to inspect.
Both mini horse and member must be alert at all times.
Poultry:
• Hold the bird in your hand with your fingers between its legs
and stroking its back with your free hand.
• When asked to pose the bird, set it on the table facing your left,
be sure its alert and its feet are square.
• Head: hold bird in left hand, turn left hand slightly and use
finger to show both sides.
• Wings: spread the wings, when the judge says right wing, it means the birds right, not
necessarily your right.
• Width: use span of right hand to show the width on the back.
• Feet and legs: tip the bird against your body with the head up with your left hand and
show them with your right hand.
Rabbit:
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• Pick up the rabbit by the fold of skin above the shoulder and your other
hand under the rump.
• Pose the rabbit facing your left, when asked to turn pick the rabbit up by
both sides and turn in quarter turns.
Ears: open ears so judge can see in them, use quarter turns to show both
Eyes: point to eyes, using quarter turns to show both
Tail: turn the rabbit so the hind end it facing the judge and gently pull up the tail.
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Sheep:
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• Walk with your left hand under the lambs jaw, not on the neck, if need be
have your right hand on the back of the lambs neck or on the rump to urge it
to walk.
Keep the lamb between you and the judge so the judge gets a full view
of the animal.
When asked to stop, place all four feet square under the lamb.
If the judge touches the lamb, reach out to re-fluff the wool when he/she walks away.
Waterfowl:
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• If the bird is in the heavy or medium category it does not need to be held, it
can remain on the table.
Very similar to poultry, see poultry section for tips.