To be a show stopper.....

Wimbles

Wimbles

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 December 2007
Messages
1,842
Location
Derbyshire
Visit site
Team skanky tb are off to Derbyshire County Show on Sunday for the ex racehorse classes (ROR and TARRA). Now the jumping class isn't a problem as that's his "thing" but I'm looking for any tips/handy hints from some showing pros that might give us the x factor in the ring with regards to turnout.

This was him this Sunday in the mud (hopefully white socks will stay that was better this weekend)

We don't take ourselves too seriously, well you can't with Tiger, but we would like to do as well as we can.

176-2.jpg


048.jpg


186-1.jpg


187-2.jpg


And just a couple of the market job skanky, George, at his first proper show day out (he was so wired that we dared not change him from the old bridle I rode him down in!!

150.jpg


Fake smiles all round!!
148-1.jpg
 
You look very proper. The only thing I want to change is to pull the knot in your tie until it's about half the size!! :D

They're lovely chaps :)
 
The knot has been noted!! You can see team skanky tb were bad asses at school!! lol!

I was contemplating buying a super size blingy browband but think it might be a bit too much like we were trying overly to polish this turd???
 
He's by the great American Stallion, Storm Cat (and by god can you tell!!) out of a Saratoga Six mare called Toga Toga Toga. He sold for a massive $1.8 million as a yearling and is possibly worth about £1.80 now................
 
Lovely and not skanky at all, but my god that last photo made me laugh with you both doing the fake smile!:D
ps make sure all your straps on your bridle are in it's keepers (thats my OCD) lol
 
Agree about the tie and add a discreet tie pin. I would loose the buttonhole, its very amateurish and really only appropriate for Show pony Jockeys.We always sew bow tails on hats up aswell, its traditional.Loose the scrunchie also A neat bun for an adult is more correct. Your plaits are really good :) you could try putting quarter marks on your horses bum :) just to show it of.
 
Last edited:
Cheers, that's really useful! We are very amateurish but it doesn't hurt to pretend otherwise for a day does it! lol!

The plaits are something that I take great pride in but unfortunately he only has half his mane at a decent length due to neck rugs. The plaits on George were what ever we could get in him on that morning. He had a bit of a unicorn thing going down at the front!!
 
I like his browband as it is - generally most people like riding horses to be a little more subtle. They're not hacks/show ponies afterall!

You both look very smart, but here's some tiny little things I've noticed:

Ditch your buttonhole. No one wears them at the higher levels.
If you can, try and get some dark brown gloves rather than the yellow ones.
You can neaten the back of your hat/hair by sowing the ribbon tails to the botton of your hat so they don't stick out.
Ditch the scrunchie. Not to be worn by those over the age of 16! Just go for a plain neat bun.
 
I'd say your browband is plenty given that your showing him as a riding horse type rather than a showpony! Bling is horrible enough on pretty ponies, never mind on nice smart horses (I loved it as a kid when I had show ponies but I've well and truly grown out of it now!)

Actually, one more thing. If her were mine I'd probably lop another couple of inches off his tail. That really is all my input though. I think I've expressed my love of Tiger a few times before so I won't gush here ;)

ETS: ok, one little thing more. You should carry your cane more or less in the middle at the point of balance. So shove a bit more through your hand. It's there to look nice not to do anything anyway! :)
 
I think you're browband could do with a little more colour and is that a rugby pelham or a doble bridle you have him in?
I just think he could do with slightly less on his head so maybe a pelham instead?
He is lovely.
 
What a stunning horse! Don't know enough about turnout to comment - you look fab to me! - but I do agree with the earlier comment about shoulders back and looking up. Good luck!
 
Get some of the absorbine paint for hooves. Paint it on the night before. Add another coat before you leave the yard, and another before your class. It really does blacken hooves.

Don't be afraid to use a little baby oil on his eyes, it will really show them off, and show sheen everywhere that tack isn't going.

A flat topped boot and gaitor strap look smarter, in my opinion.

Try a darker browband (perhaps red and navy?) and wear a darker tie yourself. If you can afford to then go for a jacket with a darker check in it to really stand you out from the crowd. Shire do some inexpensive but smart ones. Make sure it fits well, my first impression was that yours is a little saggy in places and would look much better if it showed off your (clearly slim) shape. But if you sit up tall and stick your boobies out it might improve the fit :D

I've never done TARRA classes so are you meant to plait the tail? if so, I would as I think it would look much smarter :)

Both are lovely by the way, I do have a soft spot for bays :)
 
agree with all mentioned tips, also chop few inches off the bottom, go to just below the hock. Also what colour is your browband? i would go for a darker colour tie as your jacket is very light and it sort of all washes you out.

Also get practising sharks teeth and quarter marks, they really finish the picture
 
You just get drawn down into watching his disco legs!! Honestly when he's on it all he can do is ridiculous extended trot, not normal on a thoroughbred!!

It's my friend riding him, she's good enough to do the showing part for me as it's just not me at all (far too scruffy)

Really interesting that you mention his bridle. It's a rugby pelham but we have ummed and ahhed about whether it was too much on his peanut head (his old bridle used to belong to a 13hh section C and he's 16.3hh!).

Right sit up, tail chopped, I'll save my pennies for the pub afterwards all we've got to worry about now is him killing the judge....................you think I'm joking!!
 
Can anyone give me a guide to sharks teeth? I just seem unable to grasp it!! Better still, please be at Elvaston Castle on Sunday, put your armour on and come and do it for us!!!
 
its all practice, the secret is a good stiff brush (i use a face brush with those plasticy bristles) and a wet bum. Its hard to explain but there should be vids on you tube
 
Hmmm well to me what I would pick up has already been mentioned.

Button hole - bin it.
Quarter marks would look fab.
Hair net is a must - hair length dependant I would say bun and then put a hair net over it and attach with a hair tie of a matching description to your hair colour.
Gloves go for a darker brown to suit tack and blend - I found my eye drawn to your yolk yellow ones, I want to look at the horse not your hands!
Lip strip? Cant see - im pretty blind at the minute anyway with swollen, gooey conjunctivitis eyes.. so you might have one on.. but you can drop a mark or 2 for that, so I have been told!
Your tail is pulled so you cant plait that. Do you band or sew your plaits? Once again my eyes are failing me.

FINALLY .....

WHITE FACE PAINT for white bits and BLACK FACE PAINT to darken black points... honestly people you have to try it!!! Its all allergy tested as meant to be used on our delicate complexions. Really works and stays on all day. I dont know why people bother with chalk and talc.

Someone also said the absorbine supershine black - good stuff!

I think also if Im going to be really picky - Id like to see you in a darker tweed but thats getting really picky and spending money when you probably dont want to. You may virtually slap me for that.


My final word of the day... You cant be getting much wrong with a red and a blue rosette on your waist in the first picture. :p

My final final word... Good Luck!! very jelous of anyone out competing, waited all year for the summer shows and now Im sick! GRRRR!! :mad:
 
We normally do quarter marks and the absorbine hoof shine but as he deposited his pilot straight back on the floor after a leg up that he didn't approve of we gave up on this day but I will make it my life's work to learn shark's teeth before Sunday!

There is a lip strap in there somewhere........

I have to sew in plaits as I was never taught to use bands, I just wish he had more mane!

Will look for some more gloves but I think the jacket will have to suffice as we don't really do enough of this to warrant more expense, just keeping shoes on the blinkin' 'oss costs me enough! ;)

I'm going to buy some face paint, is it just round the eyes I need the black? I just have visions of him looking like a clown!!
 
Wimbles said:
We normally do quarter marks and the absorbine hoof shine but as he deposited his pilot straight back on the floor after a leg up that he didn't approve of we gave up on this day but I will make it my life's work to learn shark's teeth before Sunday!

There is a lip strap in there somewhere........

I have to sew in plaits as I was never taught to use bands, I just wish he had more mane!

Will look for some more gloves but I think the jacket will have to suffice as we don't really do enough of this to warrant more expense, just keeping shoes on the blinkin' 'oss costs me enough! ;)

I'm going to buy some face paint, is it just round the eyes I need the black? I just have visions of him looking like a clown!!
Click to expand...

No the jacket was just me being OTT - its perfectly fine the one you have :)

Yeh you have to be careful around the eyes to stop the 'panda' look.. i apply mine to my horses with quite a damp sponge then blend it, if your not sure just stick to white face paint on the white bits as you are less likely to go wrong :D
 
or use mascara, it darkens the area without the big panda eyes. Its stays on better as well in rain and heat
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top