People who don't plait/turn out properly?

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Posie

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Went to a local level show last week and it showed such a difference from county shows, it just made me wonder, why do people not make the effort to learn to plait or turn out properly? There were so many higglety pigglety plaits, bands all the wrong colours, very few people had sewn them in. I learnt to plait when I was very young and can do so pretty much perfectly. Do people not practice at home before the big day if they aren't very good at it? It can make a horse so much smarter.
Also people with dirty jackets, brightly coloured hat silks instead of a velvet etc. And people with no hairnets and 6 inches of foundation! Why?
Do people just not care anymore?
 
I can't plait. I have tried and tried, i can stand there and explain to someone how to do it, But i can't get my fingers to work!

I would probably ask someone else if i were showing though, i wouldn't turn up looking a state!

I have noticed people wearing ridiculous amounts of make up too! I thought it was just people near me!
 
Haha, ironic timing. I hope this isn't aimed at Nah - at least she's taking advice, even if I am dead inside knowing that adults in this country might not know how to tie ties :eek:

I think you have to remember that not everyone was fortunate enough to be born into it or have that background in show prep. I've never had a plaitable horse - other than running plaits! - with trad cob and M&Ms, so I can't guarentee my plaiting! I would think to use the right colour bands though ;)

That said, some places have very low standards and don't pull people up for unacceptable turnout. Some people are also just lazy...
 
Hmm, sounds similar to an M&M flat showing class today where the pony pulled in 3rd out of 11 had a full set of black brushing boots on, martingale and 3 ring gag......i nearly feel over backwards when she placed her considering 3 ponies under her were turned out completely to type and moved much better.......

Doesn't matter where i am showing, the same amount of prep and pampering goes on and wouldn't dream of not entering the class to type, no boots whatsoever should ever be worn in a pure showing class let alone an M&M class, the only time they are allowed is the jumping phase of a working hunter class and then removed for the rest. Everything is always spotless when we enter a class.
 
I learnt by watching!! At my very first show I was one of those who had the flash loop, big colourful numnah etc etc,yet I picked up tips along the way and hopefully turn my pony out correct to standard - yet often get beaten by dirty ponies, those improperly turned out - like the pony with no noseband and was filthy winning a turnout class WTF?? Sadly I think some judges at local have no clue as to what is correct and what is not!!
And as for the make up thing - OMG like something off TOWIE!!!

If you can't plait do what I did either A) get someone else to do it!! Or buy a Mountain and Moorland or a hogged cob!!
 
I saw Nahs thread after I posted this, woops!
I wasn't born into showing at all, learnt to plait at my local riding school on pony days and went from there! Perhaps it was all the hairdos my barbies had to endure? :p
I too wonder if it is laziness, doesn't take much to google whats required?
 
Don't think it is a case of not caring - everyone has to start somewhere!

I do think the current fashions coming through jumping/dressage doesn't help with the introduction of other colours aside from the 'traditional' tweed and show jackets.

Even done carefully and as cheaply as possible, it still costs to turn out correctly and some people can't/feel they can't afford it until they feel comfortable with showing.

And I still see plenty of wrong turn outs at county level - especially of grooms in the ring.
 
I think that its a combination of people not knowing any better, and people who do know but dont bother because its just local level.
I usually (I say this but i have retired my horse from county showing at the end of last year lol) turn out the same regardless of level, and i have to say at local shows I stand out like a .. erm, well dressed thumb? It's a shame to say the same about all local shows as some do have better standards.
Equally so there are people who look great and really do their best but the horse (despite looking immaculate) just isn't up to scratch, but I think it says a lot that they have put the effort it for a local show.
 
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Plaits are a total waste of effort. They have never made a single horse jump higher or run faster.They are for showing folk.(those who cant jump or race)
 
I have no horsey background (well do now, started riding at 20ish and am 28 now with a 2 year gap in the middle) I have learned, I watch youtube videos (very handy) and help/watch my friend/YO and read lots. That said I still haven't got the hang of tail plaiting so swap my friend for it, I do her mane and she does my tail :)

I think often it is plain ignorance, someone wanting a nice horsey day out and because no one ever tells them they carry on. Some it is pure laziness ;)
 
JFTD said:
Haha, ironic timing. I hope this isn't aimed at Nah - at least she's taking advice, even if I am dead inside knowing that adults in this country might not know how to tie ties :eek:
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Hehe, I did wonder :P

I'm sure I could learn in a few minutes if I wanted to (regarding ties) but I'm usually in a rush yelling "Mum!! Quick! I NEED MY TIE!!" while trying to pull boots on and wondering where on earth my whip has gone! I do have a wonderful mum ^^

I am trying my best! I hope I will look a bit better next time. The show that I posted about was a bit of a shambles. Tipping it down with rain, unsure what classes I was doing, choosing them and having no idea what I needed to do for them, having no instruction, other than "Ned looks snazzy!" from a few people. I was meant to be doing 2ft 6. I ended up doing best novice handler and horse judge would most like to take home!!
 
money may come into it - how many professionals at county shows actually plait the horses themselves they probably have grooms who are experts on turn out to do this for them. They can get their jackets dry cleaned on a regular basis. I bet half the kids also do not plait their own ponies either.

Some people at local shows may have hacked over and not go to many shows and be new to them and are still learning. TBH if I am show jumping I would not bother to plait and turn out in the same way as I would for showing as it does not matter. Regarding ponies in the wrong tack for showing classes it may be that someone had also entered the jumping and then did not have time to change tack to go into the other class. At local shows you are more likely to see people do the jumping and the showing whereas at county it would be unlikely to see a combination entering both. Also being able to enter on the day means people go with the intention of entering one class but may change their mind later on and do a different class.

I went to a showing clinic and we were all told we needed to wear make up so perhaps people then go over the top.
 
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At my first show on my first pony, aged about 14/15 I turned up with:

Mismatching tack (she had a black bridle and a brown GP saddle - she was still on loan and came with tack we couldn't afford to replace)
A flash on the bridle
A borrowed pelham that was slightly too wide (no sliphead)
Fairly decent sewn-in plaits, copied faithfully from my mum's 1976 Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship but probably still a bit golf-ball-like and unneccessary on a Welsh Cob anyway
Black jacket bought from the second hand section of the local tack shop
My school shirt and a borrowed man's tie
My mum's old long leather boots from when she had her childhood pony, two sizes too small but we'd given them a good stretch
Skull cap, although with plain black silk

We must have looked a sight but everything was spotlessly clean - I'd been up until the wee hours the night before cleaning her tack - and it was such a small show that we came home with a couple of rosettes regardless, including a 1st place (class of two :o).

I was SO proud. We'd done our very best. If anyone had suggested that we were doing it all wrong I possibly would have cried.

There's no excuse for dirty stuff but I will always excuse things that are the wrong colour, wrong type for the class etc. because maybe they don't know or can't afford any different. Maybe children riders were desperately proud of plaiting their own pony, however lumpy the result? :)
 
Mike007 said:
Plaits are a total waste of effort. They have never made a single horse jump higher or run faster.They are for showing folk.(those who cant jump or race)
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Don't forget hunting! Horses who aren't hogged or natives should be plaited for hunting and it drives me nuts when they are not! Much like people who think its ok to go hunting in their bright red numnah and diamonte bridle! :mad:
 
Nah said:
Hehe, I did wonder :P

I'm sure I could learn in a few minutes if I wanted to (regarding ties) but I'm usually in a rush yelling "Mum!! Quick! I NEED MY TIE!!" while trying to pull boots on and wondering where on earth my whip has gone! I do have a wonderful mum ^^

I am trying my best! I hope I will look a bit better next time. The show that I posted about was a bit of a shambles. Tipping it down with rain, unsure what classes I was doing, choosing them and having no idea what I needed to do for them, having no instruction, other than "Ned looks snazzy!" from a few people. I was meant to be doing 2ft 6. I ended up doing best novice handler and horse judge would most like to take home!!
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That's how most of us start out!! You now have a benchmark to start from and loads of good advice - keep us updated and we would love to see some more pics!!
 
Yep winds me right up!

I have complety non horsey parents but have managed to learn to plait and turn out to a good standard. As it happens I have an M&M so only plait for eventing and dressage but still proper acceptable plaits, just couldnt present him without.

Got all my kit at bargin prices that I could afford as a student and work blimmin hard with what I have to make it look the best possible. Show ring ettiquete is easy to find on google and yes there is a fair bit to remember if your new but its definatly do-able.
 
Posie - your talk of Barbies made me laugh!

My Mum and Dad recently moved house so we went through all the childhood stuff we had stashed in the attic. I came across a couple of boxes of my sisters Barbie and Cassie dolls. Every single horse had their manes and tails platted and tied with thread!

I like nothing more than platting my long suffering horses when I have half an hour to burn! Seems I did when I was a little girl as well!!

A
 
Nah said:
I'm sure I could learn in a few minutes if I wanted to (regarding ties) but I'm usually in a rush yelling "Mum!! Quick! I NEED MY TIE!!" while trying to pull boots on and wondering where on earth my whip has gone! I do have a wonderful mum ^^
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Then do! Get off the flippin' forum, spend 5 mins in front of mirror / youtube and practice, child!

Then come back and show us a pic of the tie done properly and we can all sleep easy tonight knowing that all is well with the world.


[dear god I have seriously screwed priorities :o ]


eta - I can vouch for dafthoss's plaiting. Any occasions I need to plait for, she's coming with me to do it. Even if I have to hold a gun to her head :cool:
 
blackcob said:
At my first show on my first pony, aged about 14/15 I turned up with:

Mismatching tack (she had a black bridle and a brown GP saddle - she was still on loan and came with tack we couldn't afford to replace)
A flash on the bridle
A borrowed pelham that was slightly too wide (no sliphead)
Fairly decent sewn-in plaits, copied faithfully from my mum's 1976 Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship but probably still a bit golf-ball-like and unneccessary on a Welsh Cob anyway
Black jacket bought from the second hand section of the local tack shop
My school shirt and a borrowed man's tie
My mum's old long leather boots from when she had her childhood pony, two sizes too small but we'd given them a good stretch
Skull cap, although with plain black silk

We must have looked a sight but everything was spotlessly clean - I'd been up until the wee hours the night before cleaning her tack - and it was such a small show that we came home with a couple of rosettes regardless, including a 1st place (class of two :o).

I was SO proud. We'd done our very best. If anyone had suggested that we were doing it all wrong I possibly would have cried.

There's no excuse for dirty stuff but I will always excuse things that are the wrong colour, wrong type for the class etc. because maybe they don't know or can't afford any different. Maybe children riders were desperately proud of plaiting their own pony, however lumpy the result? :)
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Lovely post and I totally agree :)
 
JFTD said:
Then do! Get off the flippin' forum, spend 5 mins in front of mirror / youtube and practice, child!
Then come back and show us a pic of the tie done properly and we can all sleep easy tonight knowing that all is well with the world.
[dear god I have seriously screwed priorities :o ]
Click to expand...

I will tomorrow, I promise! Pics and all :P
I should have been in bed and hour ago...
 
Posie said:
Don't forget hunting! Horses who aren't hogged or natives should be plaited for hunting and it drives me nuts when they are not! Much like people who think its ok to go hunting in their bright red numnah and diamonte bridle! :mad:
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Nah, hunting is about hunting and I dont care whether you wear a frilly tu tu . as long as you can ride with hounds:cool:
 
blackcob said:
At my first show on my first pony, aged about 14/15 I turned up with:

Mismatching tack (she had a black bridle and a brown GP saddle - she was still on loan and came with tack we couldn't afford to replace)
A flash on the bridle
A borrowed pelham that was slightly too wide (no sliphead)
Fairly decent sewn-in plaits, copied faithfully from my mum's 1976 Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship but probably still a bit golf-ball-like and unneccessary on a Welsh Cob anyway
Black jacket bought from the second hand section of the local tack shop
My school shirt and a borrowed man's tie
My mum's old long leather boots from when she had her childhood pony, two sizes too small but we'd given them a good stretch
Skull cap, although with plain black silk

We must have looked a sight but everything was spotlessly clean - I'd been up until the wee hours the night before cleaning her tack - and it was such a small show that we came home with a couple of rosettes regardless, including a 1st place (class of two :o).

I was SO proud. We'd done our very best. If anyone had suggested that we were doing it all wrong I possibly would have cried.

There's no excuse for dirty stuff but I will always excuse things that are the wrong colour, wrong type for the class etc. because maybe they don't know or can't afford any different. Maybe children riders were desperately proud of plaiting their own pony, however lumpy the result? :)
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Completely agree, we started off with our little coloured ex riding school pony at local shows, hadn't a clue but won so we thought we were doing it right. Then my daughter wanted to enter a county so I went on the Show Ring Forum for advice. They were fantastic but a very steep learning curve. We went from this ( I cringe now)
horsesjune2005019.jpg


b7407dad.jpg


To this, in 6 months :D

img005.jpg


img001-1.jpg
 
Mike007 said:
Plaits are a total waste of effort. They have never made a single horse jump higher or run faster.They are for showing folk.(those who cant jump or race)
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I know I shouldn't bite, but you seem to be forgetting
Nick Schofield (jockey) who won HOYS several tims before going into racing (in fact missed a ride at HOYS due to breaking a wrist whilst on the gallops ...)
Guy Landau who was third in the grand national (and also Supreme at HOYS a few years ago)
Jayne Webber (who race trained for many years) and has been supreme at HOYS on three different horses.
Charlotte Dujardin who has moved from showing to dressage
Derek Morton who took the worker championship at HOYs last year (and also did several rounds in the puissance a few days later - on a different horse ...)
Loads of ex eventers (as in round Badminton/Burghley type eventers) now show
anyone who does workers jumps a pretty big course at a fair speed

So showing folk are quite capable of competing successfully in other equestrian disciplines.

Plaiting is tradition and it is also a mark of respect to have you and your horse correctly turned out when in public.
 
I had completely non horsey (and non interested) parents but by the time I was 12 I could pull a mane and plait to perfection, sewn in too, no lazy bands! I didn't even have my own pony but used to turn other people's out for them. I wouldn't dream of taking a horse into a class looking anything less than perfect, we have shown straight out of the field but they have been groomed to within an inch of their lives (and we have greys) and look like they have been prepared for days.
 
I would just like to say, please don't slate the people who wear a lot of make up. I am one of those people, not everyone is blessed with clear skin and I certainly cannot leave the house with my mask of foundation on and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only person in the world who is in that position. Why does it matter if you wear make up to a show anyway?
 
leah_x said:
I would just like to say, please don't slate the people who wear a lot of make up. I am one of those people, not everyone is blessed with clear skin and I certainly cannot leave the house with my mask of foundation on and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only person in the world who is in that position. Why does it matter if you wear make up to a show anyway?
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No problem with make up, most of the show riders use it.

They were talking about excessive makeup, particularly orange :rolleyes: Honestly some of them look like they are going clubbing not a horse show.
 
Mike007 said:
Plaits are a total waste of effort. They have never made a single horse jump higher or run faster.They are for showing folk.(those who cant jump or race)
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Pisses me off hen people say this. Al rides a horse who has raced (pretty well) and now events at BE100, with high hopes for continuing up the ladder. In her opinion it is much harder to do showing than it is to wang a horse round a XC course. A horse who is well schooled enough for anyone to get on and go well with, stand stock still for sometimes an hour and then produce a consistent and correct way of going and who also has enough 'wow' factor and charisma to catch a judge's eye is a good one with a skilled rider!

Not plaiting for local shows... Sue us. Reg isn't plaited for unaff. stressage unless his mane is not lying totally flat and level like it normally does. Never for SJ unless it's teams. Always for PC comps/ ODEs/ showing though, usually with thread or black bands.
 
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