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Try getting a 1,300-pound thoroughbred horse to walk backwards for 40 paces, spin counter-clockwise while it pivots on one hoof - all the while beaming a smile that says “no problem” to a persnickety judge.

It ain't easy, buckaroo.

The epitome of the word challenge at the Coos County Fair and Rodeo Monday must have been the dozens of 4-Hers - and their horses - who squared off against one another in the Karen Morrow Arena in the battle for showmanship.

The event isn't flashy compared to other horse events later in the week. There's no obstacle course, galloping horses or dust kicking up into the air. The riders are, in fact, not riding at all - but handling, tugging and coaxing their animal partners around the arena and being judged accordingly.

Depending on the amount of practice, some fare better than others.

Take 19-year-old Scottie, a thoroughbred who maneuvered around the ring a few hours before showtime with Robin Seyler, a North Bend High School junior and 4-Her.

“He's a conscientious objector,” said Marnie Coutts of Scottie. Coutts is Seyler's mother and she had come to watch the duo compete.

The showmanship competition is about ground skills, Coutts said. Judges study the rapport between man, or, in this case, almost exclusively young women, and their horses. Contestants lose points if the horse - or their master - appear cantankerous.

“They are trying to show off the horses ground manners - how easily maneuverable they are,” Coutts said.

While there is, no doubt, a slight rivalry among the girls - many who have been riding and competing with one another for years - insiders know the real contest is simply between the horse and rider.

“Everyone is compared to an objective standard,” Coutts said. “What you are getting is how you measured up to the perfect ideal, not how you compared with the other kids.”

The judges allow about five horses and their handlers into the arena, and work each individually through a specific pattern that takes each pair a few minutes - God willing - to execute. The idea is that with practice through 4-H and the fair, once out on a trail, at the beach or in the woods, the horse will be able to safely maneuver around tight quarters - at the direction of the rider. Move forward a few steps. Back up. Head sideways to avoid a pitfall. Good horse, and people, manners will result in a better ride for both.

At least that's the idea.

“I think I'll be more frustrated than nervous,” Seyler said about an hour before she and Scottie entered the ring. As it turns out, Scottie, a 6-year veteran of the fair, excels at nearly every other competition - except for showmanship.

“I know, honey. He's stubborn about that. Just do the best you can,” Coutts said encouragingly as Seyler tried to get Scottie to execute a flawless haunch turn.

Scottie has a propensity to nearly always move the front of his body to turn around, Coutts said. But sometimes, the judges want the horse's rear to make the first move.

“It's just not his thing. He's kind of like, ‘I don't want to have to do that!'” Coutts said.

Scottie's strength is in dressage, the French word for training in which the rider is mounted on the horse in a saddle and navigates a set pattern.

“This is his worst thing. He don't like it - she don't like it. They're putting in their duty here,” Coutts said laughing good-naturedly. She hoped the last-minute training would make the event as “unembarassing as possible” for both.

Still, Coutts said Scottie has come a long way, thanks to her daughters' efforts. Ever since her children began taking him to 4-H (her older daughter did the same a few years back) Scottie has improved dramatically.

“He used to be kind of spooky,” Coutts said. “Now we can just take that horse anywhere. Nothing bugs him. He used to be real reactive and kind of flighty.”

But how would he do in the ring Monday? Coutts recalled that several years ago, Scottie “stomped and wiggled and whinnied the whole time.” As expected, that didn't go over well with the judges. Coutts secretly hoped the judges would allow the riders to touch the horse in the ring.

“Too bad she can't shove him with her shoulder - lean into him like a linebacker - she might make it,” Coutts said, clearly amused at the proposed strategy.

But, that's not how it works. The judges make the contestants adhere to a strict set of rules - including not touching the horse.

As Scottie and Seyler's test got underway, Coutts sat with Melissa Hermann, Seyler's 4-H instructor.

“So far, so good,” Coutts said as the duo trotted out to their first marker.

“Oops. Not so good.”

Even though the judges chose a maneuver Scottie knew well, a 180-degree left-forehand turn, he moved his anchor hoof. Oh well, Coutts said, if they blew one maneuver they could still make it up as they headed around the course.

“He's having some nice moments,” Coutts said. “Generally speaking, better than I expected.”

It didn't hurt that Seyler plastered a huge smile on her face throughout the event.

“She's smiling. That's good,” Coutts said

And the horse?

“Yep, he's smiling, too,” Coutts said. “See, his ears are up.”

Whatever it was - the glowing smiles or the execution of the drills - it paid off. For the first time in six attempts, Scottie and Seyler garnered a blue ribbon. She zipped over to her mom and Hermann as soon as she could.

“I didn't think I was going to pull it off!” she said excitedly.

The elders offered their congratulations, and noted what went right, and where more attention needs to be focused.

Scottie stood near the three and likely wondered what was going on.

With his best events still ahead, and a blue ribbon under his saddle already, the future is looking bright. There's no reason to punish him for Monday's effort, Coutts joked.

He performed splendidly.

“I think we'll give him dinner tonight,” she said. “He deserves it.”