Have you participated in halter or showmanship classes? These classes require you to memorize and perform a showmanship pattern, a series of movements and paces that you and your horse or pony are judged on.
In a showmanship class the horse is handled from the ground, using either a halter or bridle. The exhibitor is judged on how well he or she exhibits the horse to its best advantage, with additional scoring for the grooming and presentation of both horse and handler.
In showmanship classes, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) requires exhibitors to use the quarter method when presenting their horse to the judge for inspection. The quarter method is designed so that the exhibitor’s body position never obstructs the judge’s view of the horse during the inspection.
What is the quarter method?
In the quarter method, the horse is divided by four imaginary lines.
The exhibitor should think about having an imaginary line dividing the horse between the horse’s nose and tail, and across the right and left shoulders, crossing the withers.
1. Which of these lines is also a line of symmetry?
Here’s how it works:
If the judge is inspecting either front quarters of the horse, the exhibitor will always be positioned on the opposite side, away from the judge.
2. Which two numbered squares mark the front quarters of the horse?
When the judge is inspecting the rear quarters of the horse, the exhibitor will always be on the same side of the horse as the judge.
3. Which two numbered squares mark the rear quarters of the horse?
Imagine you have set your pony up for inspection. Remember, every time the judge crosses one of these imaginary lines and enters a new quarter, you will have to switches sides.
Let’s give it a try:
The judge is standing at the front and moves into quarter 1.
4. Which quarter will you stand in?
The judge continues moving down the right side of your pony to quarter 2.
5. Which quarter will you stand in?
The judge continues moving in a clockwise direction and steps into quarter 3.
6. Which quarter will you stand in?
The judge moves from quarter 3 to quarter 4.
7. Which quarter will you stand in?
8. Which two quarters do you as the handler never stand in?
If you plan on showing your horse or pony in showmanship classes, be sure to practice the quarter method so your horse becomes used to you crossing over from side to side—and staying still while you do!
When you practice, have a friend on the ground act as judge. This will help you time your cross-overs correctly, and will train your horse to remain still and relaxed while a stranger walks around them during the inspection.
Keep in mind, you want to respond quickly as the judge moves around your horse for inspection, and be careful not to move your horse’s head when you switch sides.
Here’s a video showing the quarter method in action!
1. Which of these lines is also a line of symmetry?
Answer: The line B is a line of symmetry.
2. Which two numbered squares mark the front quarters of the horse?
Answer: Squares 1 and 4 mark the front quarters.
3. Which two numbered squares mark the rear quarters of the horse?
Answer: Squares 2 and 3 mark the rear quarters.
4. Which quarter will you stand in?
Answer: quarter 4
5. Which quarter will you stand in?
Answer: quarter 1
6. Which quarter will you stand in?
Answer: quarter 4
7. Which quarter will you stand in?
Answer: quarter 1
8. Which two quarters do you as the handler never stand in?
Answer: quarter 2 and quarter 3
Common Core:
4.NF.A.2 – Compare fractions using models
5.NBT.A.3a – Model decimals and fractions
Photos:
Royal Winter Fair by Deborah Stacey; CC BY 4.0
Exhibitor 1317 by Deborah Stacey; CC BY 4.0
Line up by Deborah Stacey; CC BY 4.0
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