A felt hat, wrangler jeans, and the jingle of spurs from well-worn leather boots set the trainer apart as a cowboy, but it is his soft hands, deliberate movements, and patience that earn him the title of horseman.
Shamas Haws is a life-long cowboy who began training horses professionally 30 years ago. In those 30 years he has earned titles at Utah training and colt starting competitions, trained world-class performance horses, and above all, grown into the role of a horseman.
In September of 2020, Haws presented at a free demonstration for Southern Utah University students where he detailed key ingredients to his horsemanship success.
While some might think these ingredients were perfect lead changes, precision spins, and picture perfect collection, Haws says different.
Rodeo queen and reiner a like can benefit from his fundamental horsemanship philosophies.
Build a Partnership
Haws says the number one most important aspect of horsemanship is recognizing that it is in fact a partnership.
When working with horses, Haws says he wants a 49-to-51 relationship with his horse. Meaning he wants any movement or action to be 51% what he wants and 49% what the horse wants.
Horses are known to live in hierarchies. While non are afraid to assume leadership, most are more than willing to step down and Haws capitalizes on this instinct.
He wants to be the leader, but not in charge. He asks and the horse should want to do because that is what is easiest for himself.
The relationship Haws has is evident with his horses with the minimal amount of movement required for his cues and the constant alertness of his mount.
As a rodeo queen you will be tasked with pageants and appearances where you ride your own or even a borrowed horse and the first thing any judge or spectator will notice about you and your horse is how you look together.
Looking like a queen means having a good partnership.
Never miss a chance to better yourself as much as you better your horse by learning and practicing being a leader that he/she wants to follow.
Embrace the Struggle
Another key ingredient to Haws' horsemanship success is his willingness to let the horse struggle.
Horses learn from the release of pressure. A response to a cue is the result of consistent addition and release of pressure after a desired outcome.
Sometimes riders get in a hurry to release pressure whether because they are scared of something the horse is doing or because they aren't sure what they are asking themselves, but Haws says that it is so important to let the horse struggle.
By having a desired result in mind and not releasing that pressure even when the horse is struggling will have a much more profound impact on the horse once he/she does find the release.
When preparing for a pattern or event, be sure to have patience as you work your horse through things.
Whether it is teaching him/her to pack a flag through the grand entry or simply to stop throwing their head during a back, your rodeo queen horsemanship will benefit by taking the time to let the horse find what you want.
Don't be Afraid to Fail
Every aspect of Haws' success ultimately relates back to this one philosophy.
The cowboy credits his abilities and training techniques to trial and error. By not being afraid to fail, he wasn't afraid to start breaking colts, ride infant of other great horseman, or put himself and his horses to the test on a national stage.
Haws believes the the truest attribute of a good horseman is this. Horsemanship is not a science but an art and so there is any wealth of ideas and philosophies to be adopted and shaped to help build your own style.
By being willing to try new things, Haws has more than developed his own style, he has mastered it.
Any rodeo queen or rodeo queen hopeful can apply this principle to any area of life. When it comes to horsemanship, don't be afraid to work with what you have.
Whether you just started riding or have been riding for years, trying new things or even opening yourself up to insights from a trainer can help exponentially.
Haws' Horsemanship for Rodeo Queens
Becoming a professional horseman takes years of refinement and work. While you may not be interested in breaking colts like Haws, there is much that his experience with horses can do for you now.
As a cowgirl and rodeo queen, horses are and will be a part of your life. The horsemanship competition is integral to rodeo queening and the only way to succeed at it is to continually work on yourself and your horses.
So remember to apply Haws' advice to make your horsemanship more than it was just yesterday.
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