Other Performance Showing

Article and photos by Lindsay Diamond

Now that we've gone over English and Western Performance showing, let's learn about the last section: Other Performance showing.

Usually first in any performance class list will be the Harness classes in the Other Performance section. Harness set-ups can be one of the more complex entries to set up, depending if you are showing draft harness, a multiple hitch, or fine harness. It will be first in the line-up due to the amount of time it can take to put a harness on and to hitch. Some shows will have all of the harness options lumped into one class; others may have it broken out between fine or show ring harness and working harness. 

Fine/Show Ring Harness will be for the entries you’d see in the show ring - pleasure driving entries or anything that is for show. You’ll see two-wheeled or four-wheeled carts pulled by gaited horses or Quarter Horses, draft horses in hitch showing off, like the Budweiser Clydesdales, or possibly racing horses. Working Harness would include those entries where you might see draft horses pulling plows or heavy wagons moving items. Shows might also have an Other Harness class where you can put entries that wouldn’t fit in the other two classes.

Show Ring/Fine Harness
Entry by Lindsay Diamond

The Costume or Regalia Classes will be in the Other Performance section. These classes are usually broken out into a few different options: Native, Arabian, and Parade/Other. Native will include Native American regalia, which can vary in style depending on the tribe the regalia is modeled after. Arabian includes both native Arabian tack/regalia and the more glitzy "Hollywood" style costumes, which are like what you would see in movies. Depending on the show, these two styles may be split into two separate classes. Parade/Other would include elaborate parade riding entries or anything that doesn’t fit in the others. These classes can have some amazing set-ups!

Arabian Costume Entry by Suzanne Combs

Another options for costume classes is Historical Costume, which would include war-related set-ups or other historical scenes being depicted. Parade Costumes can include some amazing fancy parade saddle sets, full of silver and lots of bling, and Other Costume includes anything else you can think of! Real 4-H shows might have costume classes where the riders create some creative and detailed costumes, from a “poodle” to a “S’mores” treat. These fun costumes can be recreated in model form as well!

A S’mores costume Entry by Suzanne Combs	Parade set-up Entry by Lindsay Diamond

The “Other Performance” class is the catch-all for anything that doesn't fit in any other classes listed on the show bill. Some options you might see in Other Performance could be a racing set-up - break out your Smarty Jones and Ruffian models to set up a dramatic scene! Trick riding is also a great option - riders perform different aerial tricks on horseback while a handler lunges the horse. Vaulting horses could also show in Other Performance.

Another set-up I’ve seen in Other Performance has been Skijoring - skiing behind a horse! Breyer’s Smarty Jones, Ruffian, or Cigar models are all great choices for skijoring - since skijoring is a competitive timed sport, the horses need to be fast!

If the show does not have a scene class, it would definitely fit in Other Performance. I’ve seen circus parade entries with horses pulling circus wagons with animals you might see at a circus, such as elephants and giraffes. One of the more creative scene set-ups I’ve seen was done with Marx dolls - a mini model horse show! The entry had miniature folding tables for the judging tables and show tables, Mini Whinnies and other tiny horses were the show horses, and dental appliance containers were the tubs used to transport the horses!

Miniature Model Horse show! Entry by Mary Soderland	The “entrant’s" storage tubs Entry by Mary Soderland

A final class usually put in the Other Performance section is Showmanship with Handler. This is a class that will require a pattern to show what part of the pattern the set-up is portraying. Some shows might have a couple of showmanship classes, English and Western, but they are most commonly shown together.

A good Showmanship entry will include the horse, a handler, and a judge. The goal of a good Showmanship pattern is to show the judge how well the handler performs the pattern while leading the horse. The handler should maintain pace with the horse - typically right in front of the shoulder of the horse if walking, trotting or jogging during the pattern. The handler should not be dragging the horse, nor should the horse be dragging the handler.

An important thing to remember for Showmanship entries is that the horse should be aimed straight towards the judge, not the handler. The judge wants to see if the handler is able to lead the horse in a straight line without wobbling out to the side, and that they are not pulling or pushing the horse, as touching the horse in Showmanship is not allowed. Also be sure that if your pattern shows the horse and handler are on a specific side of the cones, set up your horse and handler the same way! In real life, it would be a disqualification if you were on the wrong side of the cones.

English Showmanship Entry by Lindsay Diamond

While certainly not a complete list of possible options for showing in the Other Performance section, I hope this helps give you a start to coming up with ideas to show!