Showing tips anyone?/question on quarter marks

[jester_ben]

Going into a show very soon, and I am doing a tack and turnout. The only problem is however much I love preparing for it, I always get a rubbish placing, so could anyone give me any tips?

And my friend needs help on how to do (show) quarter marks so would help if you can give help on that too.

Thank you

 

[Sirreal]

For the quarter marks, you brush the rump first with a body brush in the direction of the hair, then place the quarter mark template on. You then brush downwards over it, so all the hair in the holes is going down. Then carefully remove template and VOILA!

 

[teagreen]

Make sure your plaits are really neat - sewn in if possible (takes a bit of practice but absolutely worth it; in order to make them neat, you have to have a neatly pulled mane) - use hairspray to keep the wispy bits in. And also ensure your forelock plait is as neat and discreet as possible.

Shave off whiskers, long eyelashes and ensure that there is no ear hair sticking out (ideally trim out the inside ear hair, but some people don't like doing that; fair enough, but trim long ear hairs). Also make sure you've taken the feathers off (as long as it's not an M+M, obviously).

Use a little baby oil on the muzzle and around the eyes to highlight these areas.

If you're wearing a number, use plaiting thread to secure it around your middle, NOT the plastic tape they give you. It looks awful.

Make sure your tie is done up tightly and, if possible, borrow a tie pin to make it stick out of your jacket a little. Looks very professional.

Put your hair in a bun if possible - always the neatest option. Bun rings and bun nets are easy to come by and look great if your hair is long enough.

Shine your stirrups and make sure the treads are clean. Also make sure everything fits neatly, all your straps are secured and there are no blobs of grease on your bridle or stirrup leathers. A little boot polish on the bridle makes it really shine. Also use a very discreet numnah.

If you have white socks, make sure they are EXTRA white by using chalk paste and bandages until the last minute. Don't forget the hoof oil too.

Make sure your tail is the correct length - nothing detracts more from a picture than a tail that is too long. It should be level with the hocks when the horse is moving (in a plaited horse). Also ensure it is nearly pulled, not plaited.

As for quarter marks - do you have a show pony/hack type or a hunter? Don't use plastic 'cheat sheets', they look terrible, practice using a damp body brush and a little plastic comb cut into the size of a little square.

 

[jester_ben]

Its a hunter Thank you for the help you two so far !

 

[teagreen]

I found this useful PDF from Supreme on quarter marks - if you type 'quarter marks on horses' into Google, I think you'll also find some useful videos:
http://www.supremeproducts.co.uk/uploads/press/How_to_create_Show_Hunter_Quarter_Marks.pdf

ETA: the right link for a hunter!

 

[jester_ben]

Ahh fantastic Thank you

 

[SVMel]

Controversial point I'm about to make. I would never trim the whiskers, and if it meant I lose a rosette, so be it. The horse uses them to help judge the distance it is from objects, to find food, etc etc. If someone can be prosecuted for removing a cat's whiskers (and yes, it has happened) then why is it ok for us to do it in showing classes?

They use whiskers a bit like fingers for feeling. And I wouldn't cut someone's fingers off......

Like I said. Controversial. But it's how I feel and there are many things in showing that need to change. And yes. I still go showing!

 

[teagreen]

Controversial point I'm about to make. I would never trim the whiskers, and if it meant I lose a rosette, so be it. The horse uses them to help judge the distance it is from objects, to find food, etc etc. If someone can be prosecuted for removing a cat's whiskers (and yes, it has happened) then why is it ok for us to do it in showing classes?

They use whiskers a bit like fingers for feeling. And I wouldn't cut someone's fingers off......

Like I said. Controversial. But it's how I feel and there are many things in showing that need to change. And yes. I still go showing!

I've trimmed the whiskers off many a horse and none have ever seemed to miss them. Certainly never been any distress or injuries to any of the horses I have had or known.