Best Turned Out

[Wildthing1784693]

Hello,

I am taking part in a Gymkana on Sunday for the first time.

As we are using school horses it is compulsory for us to enter the best turned out class.

I am riding lovely dark bay horse - no idea what kind he is

Going to bath him tomorrow and then will plait his mane and tail, give him a good groom, and varnish his hooves.

Anyone got any tips for me as this will be the first time I have done any of the above (except plaiting, I'm quite good at that luckily)

Also, I wasn't sure exactly what I should wear for the BTO class.

I have white, cream or black jodhpurs, a black or a greenish tweed jacket, a white shirt or a stock shirt and tie, and black or white gloves - any guidance on what you think would be best would be much appreciated

Thanks in advance!

 

[HoHum]

I think I'd go with cream jodhpurs, tweed jacket and black gloves. Although I am no expert, hopefully the class will be judged on how neat, clean and tidy you are as a combination, so worth give the tack a clean too if you have time.
Good luck and enjoy

 

[catwithclaws]

Make sure you clean thoroughly under the tail. I was stewarding for a judge at a show the other week and she told me for BTO she always checks under the stirrups to see if they've been cleaned underneath - tip there just in case it happens! Good luck

 

[Tnavas]

Horse - scrub and oil the underside of the hooves, a favourite place for judges to look.
Make sure eyes, nostrils and dock are clean. Baby wipes are your best friend here.
Clean your tack thoroughly making sure all holes are free of old saddle soap, use the end of a matchstick or toothpick to push the goop out.
Scrub stirrup treads within an inch of their lives.
When you clean your riding boots, ensure the instep is also clean, and then polish it.

Are you using hoof oil or hoof black? If hoof oil, oil several times the day before and several times on the day. Seems to stay there better if you do. If using hoof black then make sure the hoof is bone dry before applying. When dry spray lightly with hair spray. Seems to fix it well.

If your horse has white socks, scrub them well using Fairy, rinse, towel dry before using blue shampoo. Scrub plenty in and leave for allotted time before rinsing.

Hot water activates shampoo better than cold so you use less. I always work over mine with one of the plastic curry hose attachment, using it to get the worst of the mud out before shampooing, again uses less shampoo which is easier to get out.

As you are plaiting only condition the end of the tail below the dock. Comb tail out thoroughly before trying to plait tail, hitting a tangle midway through plaiting is soul destroying!

Back to white socks - a good sock whitener is Curash baby powder, tip it into a pot, add a little warm water to make a soft paste and using a toothbrush brush it well into damp socks. Bandage over if you can. Allow to dry. WARNING allow hoof black to dry before brushing out excess dried talc.

For you. Cream jodhs, white shirt, tweed jacket, toning tie and black gloves. Hair well secured in a hairnet, use masses of hairspray to stick in the flyaway bits. If you wear make up, use discreetly.

Before you go in the ring, wipe horses mouth clean.

Remember to sit tall and elegant, you'll get noticed.

PS Silicone spray is great to put through tail AFTER plaiting for added shine. If you choose to spray horse with it, avoid the saddle area.

Oops nearly forgot, either use no numnah/saddle blanket or one that is discreet and either the same colour as the saddle or horse.

DON'T DO ANY HOOF OILING OR BLACKING WEARING THE JODHS YOU ARE WEARING IN THE RING, BOTH THESE SUBSTANCES HAVE AN OVERWEALMING URGE TO COVER YOU WITH SPOTS!

Wear coveralls or change after you've got the horse ready.

To get bridle super smart, a trick I learned while working in a top showing yard was to use boot polish on the outside of the bridle. I now buy the clear self shine liquid as it's easy. Bridles look fantastic.

Good Luck, have fun, turnout can become addictive.