SHW375. Presentation and Position of Exhibitor. Appropriate western attire must be worn; clothes and person are to be neat and clean. The use of any type of artificial aid including, but not limited to lighters, hay, dirt, sharp pins, etc. will be considered a disqualification.
SHW375.1 Exhibitors should be poised, confident, courteous and genuinely sportsmanlike at all times, quickly recognizing and correcting faults in the positioning of the horse. The exhibitor should continue showing the horse until the class has been placed or they have been excused, unless otherwise instructed by the judge. The exhibitor should appear business-like, stand and move in a straight, natural and upright manner, and avoid excessive, unnatural or animated body positions.
SHW375.2 The exhibitor must lead on the horse's left side holding the lead shank in the right hand near the halter with the tail of the lead loosely coiled in the left hand unless requested by the judge to show the horse's teeth. It is preferable that the exhibitor's hand not be on the snap or chain portion of the lead continuously. The excess lead should never be tightly coiled, rolled or folded. When leading, the exhibitor should be positioned between the eye and the mid-point of the horse's neck, referred to as the leading position.
SHW375.3 Both arms should be bent at the elbow with the elbows held close to the exhibitor's side and the forearms held in a natural position. Height of the arms may vary depending on the size of the horse and exhibitor, but the arms should never be held straight out with the elbows locked.
SHW375.4 The position of the exhibitor when executing a turn to the right is the same as the leading position except that the exhibitor should turn and face toward the horse's head and have the horse move away from them to the right.
SHW375.5 When executing a back, the exhibitor should turn from the leading position to face toward the rear of the horse with the right hand extended in front of the exhibitor's chest still maintaining slight bend in the elbow and walk forward. The ideal position is for the exhibitors left shoulder to in alignment with the horse's left front leg.
SHW375.6 When setting the horse up for inspection, the exhibitor should stand angled toward the horse in a position between the horse's eye and muzzle, and should never leave the head of the horse. The exhibitor is required to use the Quarter Method when presenting the horse. The exhibitor should maintain a position that is safe for themselves and the judge. The position of the exhibitor should not obstruct the judge's view of the horse and should allow the exhibitor to maintain awareness of the judge's position at all times. The exhibitor should not crowd other exhibitors when setting up side-by-side or head-to-tail. When moving around the horse, the exhibitor should change sides in front of the horse with minimal steps and should assume the same position on the right side of the horse that they had on the left side.
SHW375.7 Leading, backing, turning and initiating the set-up should be performed from the left side of the horse. At no time should the exhibitor ever stand directly in front of the horse. The exhibitor should not touch the horse with their hands or feet, or visibly cue the horse by pointing their feet at the horse during the set-up.