In a perfect world, I would be making plans to host a performance clinic of my own. I would love to do that. I have so many ideas.
Realistically, however, this is not the year. I have too much on my plate. I just can't add anything else.
Well, I can't add anything else in a real life setting. What I can do - what I will do - is devote some blog time to the topic. This isn't actually a first for me. Back in 2013, I wrote a whole bunch of posts specifically tailored to hopeful performance showers, starting with one called Performance Anxiety.
For the record, I've never re-posted any of my earlier writings in their entirety. This is a first.
That said, I did make a few edits and add some pictures and text.
Anyway, without further ado, here's...
Performance Anxiety
I'll be honest, I've never suffered from this particular disorder.
As long as I've shown models, I've shown performance.
Most of my early efforts left a lot to be desired, but I never got discouraged.
Instead, I kept working at it.
Eventually I got better.
So much better!
We moved to Colorado in 1998. Within months, I discovered the local live show scene. I didn't own any fancy halter horses, so all my attention was focused on the performance classes. My entries weren't particularly good, at least not by today's standards. Still, I managed to bring home more than my share of NAN cards.
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| Raindrops on Roses, Etiquette and Roll 'em Pete |
After the birth of my children, I took a long break from the live show ring. I did not, however, take a break from the hobby. Instead, I used that time to improve my tack making skills and build my resin collection. When I returned to showing in 2006, I did so with a vengeance. |
| Getaway at Devilish Kokopelli Live, 2006 |
After that, there was no stopping me. |
| Getaway, Balthazar and Dun Up Purdy at Devilish Kokopelli Live, 2009 |
I've shown numerous models to numerous championships. |
| Emma at Rocky Mountain Rendezvous, 2010 |
More now. |
| Olivia at Rocky Mountain Spring Fling, 2018 |
So many more. |
| Formal Attire at the Willow Tree Live, 2017 |
I've also judged performance in three different regions. |
| Show for the Cure, Itasca, Illinois 2011 |
More now, for this one, too. |
| Judging at Models in the Mountains, 2017 |
I know there are a lot of hobbyists who view performance showing as impossibly difficult and unattainably expensive. I disagree on both counts. |
Princess Trillium at the GLC No Frills Holiday show, 2012.
I had not seen this model (even in photos) prior to the show date, and still managed to show her to an Overall Performance Championship. |
There's no doubt that performance showing requires a significant front end investment in both knowledge and equipment. However, once you master the basics, you're set for life.
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Everyone's Olive, Candyland Live, 2024
Had not shown live show performance in more than five years, picked up right where I left off. |
I am semi-retired from the performance ring these days, but one of my oldest/newest blog goals is to help prospective performance showers conquer their performance anxiety. Trust me, people - it's not as hard as you think it is.Please share your performance related questions and post suggestions. This is my online performance clinic, and I am here to help!
Posts
I have 2 saddle sets of varying quality, and several appropriate models....this should be my kick in the pants to get a few props and do things with them.
ReplyDeleteAny advice for preserving tack that is quickly becoming vintage? I used to show performance and have some very nice tack stored in a wooden mini tack trunk my dad made me back in the day. So far the saddles and bridles still looks good, but I'd hate to see that change. Any suggestions appreciated! Lynn
ReplyDeleteI wrote a post on this topic way back in 2010. I would use different products now - my current choices are Effax LederCombi and Healthy Leather - but that's the basic process. Just know that with leather, there's always a chance of discoloration. If your leather still feels nice and pliable, as opposed to stiff and dry, it might not be worth the risk.
DeleteThank you! I checked out that post and am happy to now know how to care for my vintage tack!
DeleteAre most performance classes for non-posable models? I’m commissioning a Needle Neddie and wondering if that would be showable.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fun question! Here in the US, we've always shown non-posable models, but there is no rule I know of that says that has to be the case. I do have a pony by Tomás, and I think it would be really fun to take her to a live show. Maybe someday.
DeleteBeen loving this series on performance. I started in 2023, threw myself right into Open, and came home with a championship at the first show. It's a massive learning curve, and despite the fiddling with tiny things at unreasonable hours of the morning, I love it. It's so exhilarating to capture a moment in miniature.
ReplyDeleteHonestly this blog informed a lot of what I wanted my hobby life to look like back when I was taking a break during school. Your performance posts over the years have been so inspiring, and it's my favorite part of the hobby.
(K. Snively)
Mine is a fairly silly one, but... how do you get sticky wax off of AR/CM finishes without damaging the paint? I have a CM I've showed in performance before and she has random shiny patches on her now from wax I couldn't remove.
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE you to share this on our FB site Model Horse Performance.
ReplyDeleteI ❤️ showing (and judging) performance. I enjoy the Challenge. I enjoy the pace. I admire Halter, but the relaxed pace and the EXTREEM expense kills me. Yes. I attributed expense to Halter and not Performance. BECAUSE IT IS POSSIBLE to have successful low cost high quality entries. Many years ago, I realized I could NOT AFFORD or justify the expense I saw in this hobby. Therfore, I started by making my own tack, later it was dolls, then props and now vehicles. I enjoy creation by new entries each winter and bringing them out on the spring to see how they do. I enjoy the RESEARCH and EVERY TIME I learn something new, I'm an aware of how much i don't know or how much changes. So even our of the ring, it's a fast paced gig even out of the show ring.
I haven't been able to go to a live horse show since my parents moved in (with the exception of MAR after COVID). I miss it so much. My mother is still with me and I've started to show in a few photo shows, but its not the same. I enjoy Performance the most--the research, improving my set ups, making the dioramas. My next problem is the tremor in my hands! I hope to get back to live shows in my next chapter .
ReplyDeleteOof I have a tremor too. Best advice I can give is make sure you're well-rested, hydrated, and have eaten something. Use two hands, brace your hands and the model in any way you can. I tack up models before the show and bring them in their tack - saves a lot of hassle. Find a good pair of tweezers that work with your hands. It's rough working against a tremor, but I've seen many hobbyists adapt to it.
DeleteI haven't been able to go to a live horse show since my parents moved in (with the exception of MAR after COVID). I miss it so much. My mother is still with me and I've started to show in a few photo shows, but its not the same. I enjoy Performance the most--the research, improving my set ups, making the dioramas. My next problem is the tremor in my hands! I hope to get back to live shows in my next chapter .
ReplyDelete