Scruffy competitors - we should ask h&h to show pics and shame them!

kerilli

kerilli

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following on from previous post about turnout, maybe we should ask h&h to run a regular page with pics (faces blanked out if necessary!) of really scruffy competitors on dirty horses! a bit like the ones at the back of certain women's mags, showing women dressed appallingly! would give us a good laugh every week if nothing else! good or bad idea?!
 
I would say no, owning a grey! i dont know it could be a bit mean - i would probably rather see more nice pics
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Can we include everyone who doesn't wear a hairnet please!
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Hmmm ... ... ... ... too many of those me thinks!
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I couldn't believe how many team riders (not british) that didn't wear a hairnet for the SJ in the junior eventing championships at Thirlestane - it makes such a noticeable difference imo.
 
As the owner of a grey i say its a fantastic idea i get really irritated when even though it is minus figures outside i manage to scrub the poo stains off, get her tail vaguely white and all in all make her look just about presentable, only to arrive and see dark coloured horses that owners havent even bothered to brush there tails through.
 
And possibly those who are attired in so much bling that it becomes detrimental to the overall picture (I don't mind a bit ... ... honest!) ... ... ... KP springs to mind!
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No please don't. I took my coloured boy to an unaffiliated competition today and washed him before we went only for him to get poo all over his tail and backlegs! I then washed him when we arrived at the venue only for him to poo all down his backlegs in the warmup arena (damn spring grass!). I tried my hardest to make him look presentable today but sometimes it's just not always possible to keep horses very tidy!
 
I have to say owning a grey it can be a bit manic. If you're running late and find your sh*t of a horse had laid in it's namesake
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I'd rather turn up with a green horse and compete, then wash his face between classes!!

However, I think that unplaited horse at DR competitions whatever the level is horrific. Also, when I was watching the SJ at the olympics I was shocked by the amount of horses unplaited - for peats sake, you're at the olympics!!

The organisers have taken the time to put the show on, the least we can do is show them that we appreciate it be turning up looking smart and looking like we mean business. I wrote a letter a while ago to H&H that was published RE turnout.
 
londonstudent, it is really obvious if someone has made an effort. poo down back legs is just one of those things! it's the ones who very very obviously have not made any effort at all that this is aimed at!
sorry if it makes me look like an old-fashioned snob though. (btw, i don't always wash bays or chestnuts from head to foot, as long as they look clean and have clean tails and legs, and tidy manes!)
 
But how many posts do you see on here with people sneering at competitors wearing bling, or a bright saddlecloth, or god forbid anything with a John Whittaker badge - where do you draw the line - just because people might not think it is smart doesn't mean it isn't - just that someone else doesn't like it. Those posts normally have the tag line 'All the Gear, No idea'

What about the people who can't afford a 'reasonably tidy riding kit'? Have you never had an accident when you have got to a show? The amount of times I've got mud up my breeches when tacking up, I've even had a horse get down and roll while tied up to the side of the box - would you want that photo in H&H when it isn't your fault.
 
o god i know what you mean!
i now someone who goes to comps in clothes which she wore to get the horse ready so obviously they are all hairy and muddy!
why dont these people get some self respect!!
 
Jeez, DieselDog, are you trying to pick a fight?! I've already said twice that this isn't aimed at those who have obviously tried to make an effort. Getting muddy while at a show (yep, been there, mud on cream jodhs from horse jumping around while i was putting studs in!) doesn't count. I think most people who compete can afford "reasonably tidy riding kit"... i've seen jodhs for £10, second hand jackets for very little, etc etc. i'm not expecting everyone to look like a model for Derby House!
and I didn't say a thing about bling, bright saddlecloths, JW, etc etc, and never have. I don't care what anyone else uses as long as the horse is comfortable and the rider is having a good time. Please stop trying to make me out as super-critical.
 
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But how many posts do you see on here with people sneering at competitors wearing bling, or a bright saddlecloth, or god forbid anything with a John Whittaker badge - where do you draw the line - just because people might not think it is smart doesn't mean it isn't - just that someone else doesn't like it. Those posts normally have the tag line 'All the Gear, No idea'

What about the people who can't afford a 'reasonably tidy riding kit'? Have you never had an accident when you have got to a show? The amount of times I've got mud up my breeches when tacking up, I've even had a horse get down and roll while tied up to the side of the box - would you want that photo in H&H when it isn't your fault.

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I don't have a problem with a bit of colour, bling (but preferably not KP style!) or JW - just because I wouldn't personally choose to wear it doesn't mean they haven't put the effort into making it look tidy - it's the mud caked boots, lack of hairnets and shavings in tails that bother me!
 
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But how many posts do you see on here with people sneering at competitors wearing bling, or a bright saddlecloth, or god forbid anything with a John Whittaker badge - where do you draw the line - just because people might not think it is smart doesn't mean it isn't - just that someone else doesn't like it. Those posts normally have the tag line 'All the Gear, No idea'

What about the people who can't afford a 'reasonably tidy riding kit'? Have you never had an accident when you have got to a show? The amount of times I've got mud up my breeches when tacking up, I've even had a horse get down and roll while tied up to the side of the box - would you want that photo in H&H when it isn't your fault.

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You are just scared A will steal all your riding kit again and there you'll be in H&H looking like...well....like you did LMAO
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You are just scared A will steal all your riding kit again and there you'll be in H&H looking like...well....like you did LMAO
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ummm that was the Pikey Hitler Youth. My problem is that I only own a nice Burgundy Coloured Jacket which I can't wear either Dressage or eventing - which only leaves the tweed jacket I found that one of the liveries left behind. I'm not spending £50 on something I will probably only use 5 times.
 
haha i agree kerilli,
we ALWAYS plait, no matter what the competition is,
and what i hate, when ive been showjumping, is people doing their rounds with puffa waistcoat thingys over their jackets,,i mean WTF,,your at a competition not taining at home!! crazy!!

also horses with stains all over their body, mud on them, muddy tack, muddy rider,,urgh,,soo annoying! lol
 
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You are just scared A will steal all your riding kit again and there you'll be in H&H looking like...well....like you did LMAO
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ummm that was the Pikey Hitler Youth

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I can smell your fear from here
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That was an outfit and a half!
 
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However, I think that unplaited horse at DR competitions whatever the level is horrific. Also, when I was watching the SJ at the olympics I was shocked by the amount of horses unplaited - for peats sake, you're at the olympics!!



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Alot of showjumpers wont plait because it's often useful to grab a bit of mane over a fence like ellen whitaker does and also some people feel that their horse doesn't jump as well plaited cos they can't stretch their neck when they jump
 
Kerrilli, I quite agree with you, the standard of turnout is appalling nowadays in most branches except showing and hunting where everyone does their best to turn themselves out tidily as a mark of respect; the field towards the farmers they hunt over and the showing people because without it, they're not going to get very far as appearance is all for them.
Riding wear and saddlery can be as old as the hills as long as it's clean and tidy and fit for purpose right from the start. It's not about who can have the newest stuff, it's about having a pride on your own and the horse's turnout and appearance.
Perhaps it's about time they started bringing in a 'best turned out' prize for each class to get more to think about the impression they are giving out at the minute.
 
I always take my plaits out after my dressage eventing, because my mare has such a big jump i would rub them all out as she stretches, and she has v little mane!!
However i have 2 greys, 1 is white, i always have them spotless from head to toe, it takes ages but the wow they are white legs make it worth it, or even the snide comments of thats a waste of time it will be brown in seconds.
I cant stand people with shavings in tails and mud on legs!!
 
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However, I think that unplaited horse at DR competitions whatever the level is horrific. Also, when I was watching the SJ at the olympics I was shocked by the amount of horses unplaited - for peats sake, you're at the olympics!!



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Alot of showjumpers wont plait because it's often useful to grab a bit of mane over a fence like ellen whitaker does and also some people feel that their horse doesn't jump as well plaited cos they can't stretch their neck when they jump

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Put more plaits in
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And surely that's what your breastplate / martingale strap is for?
 
i don't plait tight, i do the first twist loose and then very tight from there, so plaits stay tidy but horse can stretch neck without them pulling... i had too many headaches all day at school as a little kid because mum did very tight plaits!
i have been known to grab a plait in midair, they make good little handles...!
i like the idea of a "best turned out" for every class, even if it is just having your name read out, wouldn't need a rosette or a prize!
 
also,,what u can do,,
is give the horse a bucket of feed on the floor while you plait,
so that their neck is stretched out. makes awkward to plait,,,but then means when the horse stretches their neck jumping, the plaits dont pull, and doesnt pull any mane out!
 
Agreed - I find it easier to grab a plait than mane. Mane can slip through your hands.
And, IMHO, hunt horses go all flipping day plaited, jumping over sod off hedges etc etc, and I bet the hunt grooms aren't as conscientious as Kerilli in how loose the first twist is
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People will always find an excuse for something they dont want to do.
 
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Agreed - I find it easier to grab a plait than mane. Mane can slip through your hands.
And, IMHO, hunt horses go all flipping day plaited, jumping over sod off hedges etc etc, and I bet the hunt grooms aren't as conscientious as Kerilli in how loose the first twist is
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People will always find an excuse for something they dont want to do.

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exacts,
they go all day plaited, galloping A LOT, jumping massive hedges, and they survive!!! (and clearly not being able to grab the mane doesnt matter as i havnt fallen off for 3 seasons :P )
 
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