We caught up with showmanship judge Jesse Henson before he steps “Inside the Ring” at NAILE. We invite you to read our candid interview with Jesse below and please continue to check back often for our next edition of “Inside the Ring – Showmanship Edition”
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Do you like judging doe or wether showmanship? Why?
Wether showmanship is probably a little more consistent in terms of showing style so that makes it a little easier to sort. I really enjoy doe showmanship as well though. I think it takes a lot of talent to get them shown correctly, there just seems to be more variation of show style so it can be a little more challenging to compare showmen.
Do you think switching sides often is crucial in showmanship?
I think it is crucial to give the judge to best view of your animal no matter the angle they are to you, so it is important to be able to switch sides smoothly to give the judge the view they are looking for.
Do you have any words of wisdom to give to the kids before they step inside the ring?
Be confident, cool, and collected. It’s easy for a judge to see when a showman is worked up, and usually the animal acts according to the showman’s attitude. Also let your animal have a natural look, especially when walking the animal and ear placement when propping them up.
How important are first impressions to you?
Incredibly important. The show will be fast pace and there will be a lot of showmen coming though the ring, so making sure that you are locked in the second you come in the gate is crucial.
What’s one show you look forward to every year?
I look forward to NAILE every year. It feels like home being on the eastern side of the country, and I love the history and traditions that are behind it.
