Lucy Taylor's Tips For Show Day Presentation

Show day presentation isn’t only about what happens on the day of the show, or even the day before – it starts weeks, or even months, before competition day.

1. CONDITIONING

Conditioning through training and feed is the cornerstone to success in the show ring. It is easy to spot the ‘professionals’ on show day who have put the time, effort and skill into perfecting their horses health and overall ‘look’ in the months leading up to a show.

Getting a horse conditioned for the show ring is as much about feeding correctly, as it is about training. A well rounded diet, supplemented by products that can enhance your horse’s gut, coat and overall wellbeing, is paramount. There are many platforms (such as FeedXL) that can assist in ensuring your horse’s diet is tailored to their needs.

Training is fundamental in maximizing your horse’s, stamina, strength, suppleness and preparations for the movements that will be asked on show day. Regular and correct training will help build condition and ensure that your horse is at its peak. Make sure to work on movements that may be asked on show day – such as halts (make them stand for a period of time), lengthen trot and gallop for hunters.

2. CORRECT TACK

For me, one of the most important things when it comes to presentation is the gear - the saddle and bridle. Having an ill fitting saddle or bridle, or even one that doesn’t complement the horse can really ruin ‘the picture’ as well as potentially impeding your horse’s full potential.

When it comes to choosing the right saddle think about your horse’s shape, type and way of going. If a petite pony for example, a discreet little show saddle with short points will ensure that the eye is drawn to the pony (rather than the saddle). A larger horse, like a WB, can carry a larger saddle – with many riders now days opting to use more dressage styled saddles as the larger horses can carry these without the saddles looking too much. If your pony is a bit long backed you can use a slightly larger saddle so that it takes up a little more room on the pony’s back, creating the illusion of it being more proportionate. This can also be achieved by using a slightly longer saddle pad, or one with a roll at the back, so that it takes up a little more space. Equally, a smaller saddle may suit a more compact pony.

When it comes to bridles think about what style noseband will suit your pony or horse’s head – flat or raised, thick or thin. A pony with a longer head (or a hunter pony) might suit a slightly thicker flat nose band whereas a peitite riding pony will usually look best in a thinner or slightly raised noseband.

I am a big believer in using the same gear daily as what I will use on show day. The ponies do not have separate ‘show saddles’. All their saddles are custom fitted to them and used as their regular saddles. This includes their bits. They are ridden in the same bits daily as what they will wear on show day. Keeping everything the same, as much as possible, means there should be less chance of miscommunication or lack of harmony on show day.

3. GROOMING

Regular grooming (and rugging) is important for both health and presentation to keep your horse’s coat, mane and tail clean and healthy.

Washing a horse before the show is important to remove dirt and sweat and add shine to your horse’s coat.

I use hot oil / oil daily after every ride and every wash. This adds oils and a healthy shine to your horses coat. After washing I mix the oil in a bucket of water and sponge on and let dry. If a wash isn’t needed, I simply spray the oil on (mixed up in a spray bottle) after every ride.

4. SHOW DAY ESSENTIALS

My show day products are all contained in a ‘Fat Max’ toolbox. Some of the essential items in my Fat Max include:

• Shampoo – especially a purple shampoo – to clean socks if need be
• Hoof black
• Baby wipes
• Chux
• Baby oil gel / gloss for eyes and muzzle
• Black / grey / chestnut makeup
• Makeup sponge/blender
• Detangler and shine spray
• Hot oil
• Leather cleaner
• Disposable gloves
• White sock enhancer
• Plaiting gear – bans, thread, needles, plaiting wax, plaiting spray
• Scissors
• Hair spray
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Brushes and main combs
• Bandages for tail
• Razors

5. SHOW DAY

Be critical or your pony or horse’s weaknesses and leading up to a show think about how best to minimise these.

Colour

If it is related to colour – for example as washed out chestnut or a dull bay – there are many good products out there to amplify colour. A great old trick is çondies crystals’- do not do this the day before a show! A few weeks out prepare a bucket of cold water with 1 cylider or condies crystals and an equal amount of QV oil. Sponge evenly onto the horse and let dry and repeat daily in the week leading up to the show until the desired colour is achieved. Be careful as it stains!

Tail

Will your horse suit a pulled or plaited tail? Does it have tail carriage? If so, how short should you cut the tail? Does it need a false tail – if so, what thickness will you need. It is best to start thinking about the tail far enough away from show day where you have ample time to play with the tail, and false tails. I highly recommend training in a false tail leading up to show day to ensure your horse is comfortable with the feeling.

Make Up

Consider the right colour of make up for your horse. Sometime a grey makeup looks better on certain colours than black. If it will be a hot show consider a makeup that won’t run.

Use a makeup applicator sponge to apply and blend makeup (so your horse doesn’t look like a panda). Less is always best! Finish off with baby oil gel or a clear gloss on the nose and over the top of the eyes for shine.

Plaiting

Look at your horse’s neck length and shape. There are many different styles of plaits that can be used to enhance (or mask) neck shapes. A shorter neck can look longer with a greater number of small plaits whereas a long neck may look more proportionate with a smaller number of plaits. Make sure you have pulled your hoses mane (i.e. thinned and shorted) before show day to ensure that your plaits are neat and equal in size.

Quarter Markers

Look at your horse’s quarters – are they full or a little weak? Certain patterns can create the illusion of making a quarter look bigger. There are also different styles of patterns depending on whether your horse is a hack or a hunter.

Shine Spray

It is best to go over your horse’s coat with a shine spray right before you go into the ring. Try to choose a spray that doesn’t leave an oily residue or attract dust as otherwise you will end up with a dirtier horse than when you started. Apply the spray over the horses body, avoiding the saddle area and around the eyes and muzzle.