Tip Top Tips on Presentation for the Show Ring
with the team from Tip Top Showing
Turnout
Turnout is everything, even in classes where you are judged on your riding ability. You must remember the first impression that the Judge has should be a polished and immaculately presented horse and rider.
In this article, we will concentrate our horse show advice on the turnout element of horse show preparation. We will cover Ringcraft and Etiquette in our next article on Riding.
a beautifully presented pair in the Garryowen © Derek O’Leary
Does Your Tack Measure Up?
To achieve the best show turnout, it is of prime importance that your tack should fit your horse comfortably (saddle, bridle, numnah, girth etc). It should be cleaned thoroughly the night before the show and laid out to check you have all the components you need.
tack should fit not only the horse but the rider also ©Equine Image Photography
Of course, tack should also suit the rider and the purpose of the class so not just any old saddle will do – an oversized or undersized saddle will be uncomfortable for the horse, restricting their movement and will force the rider to sit incorrectly above the horse’s centre of gravity.
Double-check you have the correct bridle, browband and permitted bit for your class, for instance a plain browband must be used in hunter classes.
Remember to clean with a damp cloth after the show to remove mud, dust and other debris. Never put your show tack away dirty as it will be doubly hard to clean next time you need it.
Clean the exposed areas of the bit with metal cleaner – don’t get this on the mouthpiece as it probably won’t endear you to your horse!
Dressing For Success – The Right Rider Attire
Your personal show turnout should be neat and tidy and compliment the horse.
Ladies should always tie hair back neatly and wear a hairnet (optional).
this rider has placed her hair in a neat bun ©Equine Image Photography
Check that your clothing is correct for the class that you are entering. If your horse is considered an ‘open horse’ then the correct attire is a navy blue jacket with beige/banana etc jodhpurs (people over 18 can wear black jackets) and if your horse is considered as a ‘hunter horse’ then the jacket required is a tweed jacket which can be an olive green or brown etc. with beige/banana etc jodhpurs.
If you are showing in-hand, wear sensible non-slip shoes particularly if it has rained on the showground. Lead-rein classes typically require the handler to wear an outfit complimenting that of the handler.
this handler has worn a nice suit and appropriate footwear for his led class ©Equine Image Photography
Horse Show Advice – Accessorising Your Horse
Our next section of horse show advice focuses on the finishing touches of your show turnout.
Baby oil is useful for accentuating your horse’s eyes – use sparingly on a soft cloth around the eye area taking care not to get any inside the eye itself. The same can be used around the nostrils.
Go over the horse’s coat with a shine spray before they enter the ring to give it a healthy shine.
find yourself a good spray that will create a nice shine on your horses coat ©Equine Image Photography
This, of course, is no substitute for the thorough grooming that should be done in the days leading up to the show, but will enhance the natural oils in the coat.
Don’t spray your shine spray near the eyes or under the saddle area – it is better to put it on when you have tacked up rather than risk the saddle slipping off.
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