Defining Sportsmanship in the Horse Industry. Teaching Sportsmanship.

1. Real Sportsmanship in a
Reality Show World
Karen L. Waite, Ph. D.
Michigan State University

3. So who am I?
• Grew up in Michigan 4-H Horse Program
• Multi-carded judge
• Past-President of the American Youth Horse
Council
• Past-President of the Michigan Quarter Horse
Association
• Who cares?

4. Changing Gears...
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEr2n9AAU
Uc

5. Reality Show Obsession?
• Very popular with
those in the 18-34
age range
• Fans of reality TV
tend to be attention-
seekers,
• The "more reality
shows a person likes,
the more concerned
he or she is with their

6. Reality Show Obsession?
• both attention seeking and social status can be
motivating factors in any competitive environment
• "...too much reality TV may lead viewers to idealize
real world situations...”
• We know that there are positive outcomes from
showing horses, but the potential for negative
behaviors is also present.

7. Reality Show Obsession?
• Recent call for 15-19
year old girls to
participate in a reality
show based on
showing horses
• What do you think of
this idea?

8. Why might it be negative?
• Horse showing IS a sport
• Someone wins and others don’t
• Sometimes sport is portrayed as a form of “war”
• Reality shows tend to focus on extremes in
behavior

9. What would a positive reality show
look like?
• Intentional
• Good (and bad)
character is both
taught and caught
• A definition of good
horse show
sportsmanship
required

10. Most important point...
• Reality shows aren’t actually 100% REAL
• Scripted for entertainment purposes
• Should we be basing our behavior on this?

11. Good Horse Show Sportsmanship
• Respect for horses
• Respect for opponents
• Respect for the “game”
• Respect for others
• Coaching for Character: Reclaiming the Principles of
Sportsmanship. Clifford & Feezel
• Michigan 4-H Horse and Pony Project Show Rules and
Regulations

12. Good Horse Show Sportsmanship
• To whom do these principles apply?
• Everyone involved!
• 4-H Leaders
• family
• spectators

13. Respect for Horses
• Good animal
management
– Healthcare
– Nutrition
– Fair training practices
• Horses deserve
humane treatment in
exchange for what
they provide

14. Respect for Opponents
• True Competition-David Light Shields and
Brenda Light Bredemeier
• Latin: -petere (to strive or seek), -com (together)
• Seeking excellence with one’s opponent
• Sportsmanlike competitors recognize and
appreciate
• a well prepared, challenging opponent who can
• bring out the best in them, and
• share that appreciation with their opponents.

15. Respect for the “Game”
• Respecting & following
the rules
• Always trying one’s
best
• Skill and training
progression
• Appreciation for the
process

16. Respect for the “Game”
• Understand what
“brand” you’re riding
for, and the
philosophy of that
program
• In 4-H, we’re about
positively developing
young people.
Period.

17. Respect for Others
• Judges, show
managers, parents,
trainers, coaches,
leaders
• May boost ratings on
television but not in real
life
• Developing emotional
control, and venting at
appropriate times and
locations

18. Easy to say…
• But how do we develop real sportsmanship?

19. Real Sportsmanship
• Be a good role model
• Youth or adult
• Go somewhere private to vent
• Congratulate others
• Accept congratulations graciously
• Don’t ignore others (generally)
• Once awards are given to kids who have won them
fairly, they are not taken away.

20. Real Sportsmanship
• Emphasize good sportsmanship at all times, and in
all situations
• Practice and shows
• Regularly use words like respect and sportsmanship
• Being competitive is “serious fun”
• Bad sportsmanship can include being
• Too serious
• Not serious enough

21. Real Sportsmanship
• Emphasize the relationship between good
sportsmanship and success
• A victory without respect, dignity and honor,
AND good animal treatment, doesn’t mean much
• “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people
will forget what you did, but people will never forget how
you made them feel.” Maya Angelou

22. Real Sportsmanship
• Establish customs
and traditions that
emphasize good
sportsmanship
– Barn signs
– Sportsmanship awards
• Praise hard work as
opposed to just
ribbons

23. Real Sportsmanship
• Be specific about how you expect exhibitors to
relate to
• One another
• Opponents
• Officials
• Horses
• Develop clear guidelines for handling
unsportsmanlike behavior and share them
• Don’t be afraid to pack up and leave…you’ll only
have to do it once. (probably)

24. Real Sportsmanship
• Talk about specific incidents of sportsmanship
• Ask questions to promote reflection
• Emphasize fun!

25. Conclusion
• Great character can develop from showing
horses
• Keys are:
• To be intentional
• To reward the behaviors you want
• Recognizing that showing can be a stressful and
emotional time
• But not accepting that as an excuse for poor behavior

26. Conclusion
• Great character can also develop in adults
• Keys are:
• To be intentional
• To reward the behaviors you want
• To honor all kids, under the rules that you have at the
time
• Recognizing that showing can be a stressful and
emotional time for all
• But not accepting that as an excuse for poor behavior

27. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v1zlKkh3U8

28. Questions