Walking On Volume 6, Issue 11, November/December 2019 | Page 11

Amateur Model Class: how must one prepare? Showing your horse in the Model division is both challenging and rewarding as in all divisions. Initially, one must objectively look at the model can- didate and see if the horse has the “right stuff ”.   Picture your horse in silhouette.  Does he or she have the desired proportions of the breed?  Is your candidate muscular, does it have a glossy coat, are ears curved and small, is shoulder angle correct?  There’s much more to consider but one must start with the basics and move from there. Nutrition and proper diet are the essential require- ments for growing  healthy muscle, skin and beautiful hair.  This takes quite a few months or years for some horses.  To assist with that are multiple grooming products available to accentuate their coats, manes and tails, although nothing can beat good old elbow grease for bringing out the shine. Cleanliness is very important in this division.  You’re there to present your horse; his coat, mane, tail and forelock need to be groomed meticulously. Bridle path, ears, jaw and muzzle need to be shaven. Fetlock hair needs to be neatly trimmed also. Hooves are to be cleaned, shined and polished with products that are allowed in that HIO (Horse Industry Organization).  In WHOA (Walking Horse Owners Association), only clear hoof polish is allowed. It’s extremely important that the handler is familiar with the rule book for the HIO affiliation of their chosen show.  Never mix your English and Western tack.  If show- ing English, an English show bridle or show halter is used along with braids in forelock and first section of mane. Western horses wear  Western show halters but no braids are to be used.  The handler must also dress either English or Western.  One doesn’t show an En- glish horse while dressed in Western clothing and vice versa.  Although the handler’s outfits are not judged, there is no harm in coordination of colors with the horse and his tack. The handler and horse are a unit and need to present as one.  Lastly, practice, practice,practice.  Your horse needs to know how to park out and stand still for the judges to see him.  Listen to instructions as you enter the ring to know where to place your horse.  Be considerate of the horses around you and don’t get too close to them. Now go have a great time! –Jean Brannon 11