Hi all,
My daughter shows FFA and local open shows. At the state fair the last several years the judges have been asking for a pivot towards you rather than the typical away from you. My daughter got 13th out of 65 horses but she would like to do better. Any tips to teach the pivot would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Here is one of the better showmanship training articles on the web. http://www.lpph.org/showmanship

That is a good article. I've used two different methods for teaching a pull turn. I agree with the article that it helps for the horse to know and perform a crisp pivot without help before teaching the pull turn.

I've had success lining a horse up with a fence or a wall/corner on the side opposite of the handler and then making the same kissing noise for a pivot, only walking backwards in an arc. That way since the horse can't pivot but they know you are asking for movement, they'll be more likely to follow your pressure on the lead shank when you are going the opposite way. And the wall and corner behind blocks them so they can only go one way. Just get one step at a time, praise, praise, praise. Then remove the wall/fence/corner when the horse starts "getting it" so that you can complete the maneuver.

And the other method is using another handler on the opposite side to pressure the shoulder to go with you as well.