Showmanship?

threelittlepigs94 · Post by **threelittlepigs94** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 10:58 pm

Have you ever noticed that two people can show the exact same way but the one is the obvious favorite?

I suppose its all about ring presence and your whole attitude. I guess judges like calm and quiet showers, yet they have to get their attention & be agressive enough to be in the judges site the whole time.

Got any tips/tricks you use for showmanship?
Whats your pattern (back and forth in front of the judge, in a "square")?

stasshowhogs · Post by **stasshowhogs** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:33 pm

Right away show the judge all three views of the pig, front, profile, and rear. Then just stay calm use the whole ring and walk the pig back and fourth in front of the judge. Make sure you be respectful to the other showers. Walk your pig around making sure not to get in anyones way. Lastly make sure to keep showing the judge the front and rear not always just the profile. Walk the pig in front of the judge a good ten feet away and then turn and walk the pig away from the judge making sure you stay out of the way of the pig and let the judge get the full view take wide turns but not too wide and you will do great. PS look like your having a good time its just for fun no matter what place you get, but with practice and a lot of work with your pig throughout the time before the show you will find yourself coming to the top of the class.

gjennings · Post by **gjennings** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:57 am

Just remember calm, cool, collective, I know this sounds really cliche but if you get nervous or flustered then so does the pig. Its better to be a foot to far than a foot to close to the judge, trust me I learned that the hard way..If your pig has that reallllllyyyy good view that a judge really likes try to walk the pig so that you show that good view, and hide the bad one that might show a flaw. I understand being respectful to other showmen, but be aggressive!!! EVERY showmanship contest there will be that one moment when theres nobody around and you can come walking by with your pig and really be noticed, but 9 times outta 10 someone else will catch it too...Say you and another person are on opposite sides driving head on, or turning together side by side. Either way keep your pig on the judges side and dont get covered up!! But keep in mind you dont want to get to close, because some people will turn and walk right under the judge and he will intentionally look over them and watch the pig that stayed back. As far as pattern, Ive heard figure 8, back&forth, side2side...I really dont have one, just stay with the judge, never let him see you hit your pig hard, try not to use your whip at all, and dont stay under his feet the whole time bc even when there are a lot of people showing he'll notice that he never lost sight of you, and most importantly know your questions!!!!

heavyhitter · Post by **heavyhitter** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 7:31 pm

the most important thing is that you work with your pig BEFORE a week before the show. 2nd you have to act like your having fun. 3rd be aggressive when you need it, but don't smack your pig when he goes to the corner! Before I go in to the ring my dad always says "drive em like you stole em" it really gets me pumped and ready to go!!

hogkid · Post by **hogkid** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 10:39 am

What I do is start walking in december when it is warm to start exercing them. I would not start walking them a week before the show becasue they will not walk good for you and they will freak out berfore you know it. Let your ag teacher stand in the middle of the walking arena so you can get the feel of it if you are new at this.But one of my favorite ag teachers qoute is Put your game face on. And also do this for a pattern walk back and forth to catch the judge's eye that is one way to win a pig show. Also be calm dont freak out if you are not in front of the jugde just figure out a way to catch his eye. My Show is in Januray so I have a long time to go but I going to start walking pretty darn quik so that I dont have to start walking a week before the show. 8) Show your best.

Joshua Horton
Horton's Midnight Acres Showpigs

york24 · Post by **york24** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 9:18 pm

be smoooth with all ur turns & give him all 3 angles...front,profile,& rear...then repeat...& never loose ur cool cause i know quite a few judges that have pulled some tricks on me...

awlirette · Post by **awlirette** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:24 pm

when i do my showmenship class i always stay clear of other ppl and their pigs. the judge likes it when your not in a big group of ppl. walk him slow to show that you have control over your hog. be sure to study some questions bc they love to ask questions. and like you said if there is two ppl showing the same way and one gets placed over the second, its mostly bc of the questions. one judge says that he had some really nice showers in his class. he said that by asking questions he determined the placings. and if you dont look like you are having fun then the judge just looks right over you. thats the whole piont is to have fun. and be sure to look at the judge at all times. and also if you pig is acting up stay calm and show the judge you can get control over you hog. hope you do good and my advice hepls!!

cow09boy · Post by **cow09boy** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:51 am

CONFIDENCE IS KEY!!!! For a new showman, my advice would be to First, listen to what the judge says about your animal in class, this will be useful later when the judge asks you that famous queastion, "if you could change anything about your animal, what would it be." This little trick will show the judge that you were paying attention to him.... which is also a sign of respect on your part. Secondly lwhile in class the judge will watch you... showmanship doesnt start with the actual showmanship class but from the moment you walk into the show facility with your animal, YOU ARE BEING JUDGED!!!!... Thirdly, this is about YOU, NOT YOUR ANIMAL!.... The animal at this point has already been throught the ring. However, it is how well you can present this animal. Know what looks best for your animal : profile, front, or butt. Guys and girls showmanship STARTS AT HOME! Don't owait until you walk into a showring and expect to win the whole thing, when you haven't covered the basics at home! Finally, even if you dont win the showmanship award, GO SHAKE THE JUDGES HAND!... You never know where you might see him or her again!.... HAVE FUN! look like you are enjoying yourself. Anyone can show, but not just anyone can be a showman! Showmanship is where the men are seperated fro the boys! GOOD LUCK!

Andy_Paul_Pigs · Post by **Andy_Paul_Pigs** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 8:46 pm

One thing that I use, that always puts me near the top, is Intensity, Stare the Judge down, Make sure he knows that you are in it to win it. Also, When he is asking you questions, Smile some

Lil_Pork_Chop · Post by **Lil_Pork_Chop** » Sun Jul 11, 2010 8:46 pm

Don't be mean to your pig or it will not be easy to work with. Also keep good eye contact with the judge. Show the judge all angles of the pig. And work with your pigs way before the fair your hard work will pay off!

sbrasher · Post by **sbrasher** » Wed Jul 06, 2011 10:34 am

I have found that the aggressive, confident approach works best. It is good to seem relaxed and comfortable at the same time though.

thepigscall · Post by **thepigscall** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 2:12 pm

keep out of the crowd and dont use yours hands on the pig keep head level and the pig moving make eye contact and when you get pinned brush your pig and always close the gate behind you don forget to smile!