Improve Your Show Ring Turnout

We either get it or we don’t. Turnout is that indefinable thing that lets you know you are in the presence of somebody’s passion. If you’re headed to the show ring this summer, why not vow to improve your turnout? This state of perfection has surprisingly little to do with dollars. It does, however, have everything to do with details.

 

Why is it some folks can show for years and still manage to look messy? A sure-fire way to get ‘the look’ is to observe one of your heroes and compare their style with your own. Don’t be shy… this is the time to be ruthless!

Here are five ways to rise above the crowd…

 

1. Feed correctly. 

Showing horses well means that a lot of discipline has gone on behind the scenes at home. Horses thrive with routine in their barn chores. They want quality feed at an organized time throughout the day. They reward us when we do this to a schedule.

 

There is an art in seeing – really seeing – what a horse needs to be in top form.  The hard part in judging our own horses is in seeing them with fresh eyes, as others do. Are they a bit sucked up, do they need a little more bloom? Or would they move and feel better carrying less?

 

As I’ve struggled through my own health journey, I’m seeing more and more that simple is best. This means that I’ve grown to distrust much of what we are feeding ourselves and what we are feeding our horses. My own horses seemingly look and feel best if I steer away from man-made feed, if I stay away from too many additives and stick to the basics that are grown on any farm.

 

In addition, I seldom, if ever, feed oats or other grains. I like my horses to eat grass hay on the ground, so that they stretch their top-lines down while they chew. I’ll even spread this around their pen a bit so that they have the replication of hunting and gathering their fodder. Fats are added by giving unground oil seeds, if required.

 

Note that the smaller our ponies are, the larger our responsibility when feeding.

 

I set great store by having my ponies do a bit of grazing every day, even though their health decrees that they may not have unlimited grass turnout. This is done by teaching them to picket on mowed and dried lawn grass, just for an hour or two, morning and night. Good feeding practices translate to good minds! Each horse and pony is an individual and it behooves us to find out that which will make them thrive. Slow-feed hay nets have been a blessing to animals needing restricted feed.

 

Our goal is to have our horses and ponies, regardless of size, spending as much of their day munching on feed as possible, as opposed to chewing on fences. Turn out where they have room to run, buck and roll, is absolutely vital.

 

Every area of the country has specific soil deficiencies. These translate to missing nutrients in the hay grown there. In our area, it is selenium. Our vet has advised us to administer a small oral dose once or twice annually to help our performance horses work their best. Salt is given free choice, along with unlimited fresh, clean water. Remember to keep your drinkers scrubbed, as so many horses won’t drink deeply from dirty troughs.

 

My methods are kept simple on purpose. They will probably not be your methods but however you feed, I urge you to really look at your horses. Decide if any tweaking is in order to have them looking – and feeling – just right.

 

One last thing and this is touchy. While we spend so much time and effort on our horse’s curb appeal, we need to do our very best with our own. Both ourselves and our horses need to look healthy and loved… and this includes our general fitness on top of eating well. I struggle with this as much as anyone! I’ve decided that if I come at my weight and fitness from a health and wellness standpoint, it is easier to improve and maintain.

 

2. Protect your horse’s coat… and don’t forget the mane and tail.

We all know the sun is damaging to hair. A place to get out of the sun’s rays, to stand and relax, is vital. Light-coloured horse clothing will also do a lot to smooth the hair coat and retain its oils. One of the best ways we can ensure a beautiful ‘bloom’ is to set aside time each day to groom our show horse, the old fashioned way. This is such a bonding time, provided we groom with loving care and effort. There is no spray-on product that will outshine good feed and regular grooming.

 

If your breed or discipline requires long tails, then these need to be protected and encouraged year-round. Correct feeding is huge when it comes to manes and tails. How we brush them has equal effect. There are varied beliefs about growing long tails, depending on discipline and where one lives in the world. I do not stable my horses. They live in a very windy country with barbed wire fences and a lot of buck brush that pulls the tails out.

 

Therefore, I keep my horses and ponies in one long pigtail braid, with or without a sock pulled overtop for added protection. Many people disagree with this practice from a safety standpoint but my horses that need nice tails have nice tails. Results speak for themselves, so do what works for you.

 

I seldom brush or comb tails, preferring to pick straw and mud out by hand to save the hair. If the horse has bloodworms, his tail hair will be very brittle and will break easily. An aggressive deworming plan results in a better coat and tail in a surprisingly short time. We have had great results with Panacur on a strong five-day dosage.

 

If your discipline celebrates long, full, glorious tails – and most do – then do what you can to grow and maintain them. If this is impossible and your breed rules allow, it’s time to find a tasteful falsie. Learn to put one in correctly. Like all knacks, this one takes practice!

 

Manes are always breed and discipline-specific. We go against trends at our peril… meaning that if you are going to rock a new look, you’d better be very, very good at everything else.

 

Fewer horses are sporting bridle paths currently, which is a more natural trend that I like. That said, smaller ponies with cresty necks, thick manes and tiny ears, should have a neat little bridle path to seat their headstalls. Driving enthusiasts beware! It is all-too-easy for little ponies to shake their heads and remove their bridles without. If your discipline calls for neatly pulled manes, learn how to do this and then, maintain it on a daily basis. It is unpleasant for the horse to have a lot of pulling done at one go.

 

Many Western horses are showing with manes that have been cut into a fringe. There is an art to this! I urge you to practice, to keep your horse’s mane at the required length and to bevel it throughout the year. Otherwise, the risk of having our horse look like Friar Tuck is too great.

 

If the mane is going to be long or flowing, condition it to lie nicely while the horse works. There is an optimal length and shape for this long ‘natural’ mane to offset your horse’s conformation to its best. Personally, I don’t like the look of an extremely long mane hanging down past the horse’s shoulder, preferring to notice the horse first and its mane, second. Any mane lays best with a slinky hood put on as the horse dries from his bath.

 

For your own peace of mind, make clipping and trimming a regular part of your horse’s routine. Use sharp blades and keep your clippers clean and oiled. Your horse or pony should not be learning about clipping (or hauling, for that matter) the day before the show. At the show grounds, you goal is always to arrive calm.

 

English or Western, learn to braid or band with style.  This will involve practicing a learned technique, dependent on your discipline.  If your braiding or banding is not good at first, keep at it but remember that an un-braided horse looks better than a poorly-braided horse. This one thing says at first glance whether you are there to show and win or if you need more time to pay your dues.

 

Tails look good when banged square, washed and then bandaged. This wrap is removed just before the horse enters the ring. Tail braiding should be kept specially for the big shows, as it does pull out some of the hair along the dock.

 

3. About your tack.

The equipment we use to show our horses is as ruled by fads as our clothes. Even so, quality gear best stands the test of time. I will always choose the best saddlery I can afford, rather than the newest trend. If I can, I’ll put my money into updating my headstalls. These are key in the first impression we make. The horse’s head leads our statement, no matter the ring to which we’re headed.

 

If the buckles don’t align on our bridle, if the headstall isn’t neat, now is the time to have the saddler make it so.  There is no excuse for loose or missing keepers, or for flapping ends. We don’t want any movement in our gear, anything that will distract either our horses while they work, or the judge’s eye. English spur straps and stirrup leathers should be shortened at the buckle end to be neat. Too-long Western breast collar billets and off-side latigos are other common offenders.

 

Bottom line, you want your gear to fit the horse you are showing now, not the horse you once had or one you plan to have in the future.

 

For rail classes, the less gear we have covering our horses, the better. This means that pleasure horses just look a little smoother, a little more quality when they are not wearing breast collars or back cinches. Performance horses, English or Western, need the gear that will keep everybody safe. The faster we are going, the more you need a breast collar.

 

By the way, our saddles must fit our horses. Too often, we see them chosen for their make or the amount of silver, rather than for the shape of the back they’ll be sitting on. If your English saddle is low behind, use a pad with a riser. If it is low in front, you probably need a narrower saddle. If you are riding an older horse with a lower back that causes bridging, there are fabulous shim pads to ensure your partner’s comfort. A happy horse means increased performance!

 

If you’re not competing in Dressage, then ditch the large square quilted pad. A clean, white fleece pad that fits your saddle is a classic, uncluttered look. Western, your pad must complement your clothing. Colour-coordinated, woven Navajos with a felt liner are the industry standard.

 

Clean your tack. Yes, the judge will notice. If you’re lucky enough to have good silver, this, too, must be polished. Bits are wiped after every use. Whether or not you use split reins or romals will depend on the bits you use and the classes you’ve entered.

 

4. Stay current… including what to wear.

Read your rule book. Understand what is allowed, what is recommended and why. It is upsetting to both yourself and your horse to be stopped in the hitching ring with an infraction that needs a last minute change. Be especially mindful of such things as whips and crops, martingales and nosebands, boots and other protection on our horses’ legs. Also, whatever your sport requires, make sure this is the gear you train with at home.

 

Our own headgear tells at a distance whether we are serious about our riding… or not. English or Western, I think it’s safe to say, just buy the best hats that you can.

 

Western hats have an art about them. They must be specially shaped and blocked. This means that even an up-to-date hat in a good store can’t be purchased off the rack and plunked on.  As a general guideline, the depth and shape of your face should equal the depth and mass of the crown above the brim.

 

Brims are especially subject to trendiness and if in doubt, look online and in current magazines to the leaders in your field. Wide brims look overpowering on a slender frame; small brims can look a bit comical on larger riders. An extremely sharp, square shape is current right now but as with all hat styles, these shapes come and go, providing a lot of hilarity when reviewing pictures from the past!

 

Felt hats are always in style but in summer, are considered a more formal look than straws. Whatever you’re doing, the hat must sit level with the ground when your eyes are up and rest just above your eyebrows. It fits properly when it ‘sucks down’ but doesn’t give you a headache. Your hat must never, ever blow off. If you are jumping or competing in much of combined driving competition, you require an ASTM safety-certified helmet with an approved harness, with no exception.

 

Clothes need to be classic, quality and well fitted. Children, especially, have to ensure that their things are regularly tried on. I know this gets expensive, keeping kids properly kitted out. The only cost savings are to keep having children or to start sharing among other families. I’ll leave you to work that one out….

 

This sounds very basic, but learn to do your hair. The hunter gals are a shining example of never having a single stray lock. Flyaway hair is an instant turn-off, ruining the look of even the nicest horse.  This takes practice, getting the look you need while having your hat sit level over your eyebrows.  From buns to ponytails, Western gals have more leeway but must still ensure that nothing moves.

 

Speaking of movement, try out several styles and get yourself underwear that supports you. When it comes to riding a big sitting trot, there are bras and then there are bras. Find something that works, whether it is a sports bra, singly or doubled up, or one especially designed for riding.

 

Realize that no judge worth his salt is going to pick the winner based on her clothing.  This is something that gets amateur riders sidetracked. I would always rather spend money on riding lessons, than on my blinged-out coat.

 

Our goal is to look polished, professional and timeless, enhancing our horse without detracting from the overall picture we present. Dark, conservative colours will never be a poor choice. A huge improvement is to make sure that your jackets and tops fit. Larger sizes can be altered to fit you, to skim over your body rather than hanging loosely, gapping or digging in.

 

Have a spare pair of breeches, show pants or jeans, so that you are always looking ready to show. This has been learned with long experience of white breeches and greasy trailer hitches. Boots must be well-fitted, tall enough for your leg and polished. If money is an issue, half chaps can work to a certain level but these must also fit well and be clean and polished. Chokers, ties and pins should be tasteful, lie still and not distract from your face, your equitation or your serenity.

 

Every horse has a colour that sets him off to advantage. Think blacks, greys and bays with jewel tones, sorrels and buckskins as more earthy…. Because we are looking to improve our turnout, we are looking to strengthen that first impression. Colour has an immense power over every one of us, realized or not. Black is never a bad choice… you just need to know that most everybody will be wearing it.

 

Showing Western, our chaps, pants, belts and boots look best if kept all the same colour.

 

Unless we are teen-aged gymnasts, our ‘bottom half’ is usually most flattering when kept dark. Chaps, like hats, tell the world a lot about you. These are something we can splurge on… but if we go the custom route, we must make sure that the maker specializes in our discipline.

 

Show chaps are classically one colour and do not have contrasting fringe, stitching or belts. They are carefully fitted, dare I say sometimes hard to zip, and long enough to cover the heel of our boots while mounted. Too short, they look messy and too long. they look very dated.

 

For the money, Hobby Horse’s split leather suede chaps are hard to beat. They come in a variety of sizes, lengths and colours, they fit most of us well and are on trend. Order the matching belt while you’re at it.

 

Lately, there is a tiny move from over-the-top sparkly rail shirts and tunics to starched cotton shirts and short, tied bandanas. This is great news for those of us on a budget. Have fun with your colours, work with your horse and top everything off with either a well-shaped silver belly, black or pearl-white hat. This look will stand you in good stead in most any crowd.

 

Different breeds, rider ages and disciplines will require gloves… or not… ties… or not… buff breeches… or white… Try and make sure you are tasteful, that you complement your horse and that nothing on your outfit moves. Chap fringe aside, we want always to look smooth and polished.

 

Jewelry is an area where the more traditional our discipline, the more we’ll want to stay with plain gold studs and not much else. Western, you are striving to catch the judge’s eye at fifty feet. Just keep your earrings tasteful without anything dangling or swinging. Bling has been in for a long time now but personally, I don’t think we can go wrong with silver earrings and a matching pin at the throat.

 

When it comes to showing on the rail, please, no flashing crystals on your belt or below it. No sparkles or studs on your back pockets. Your saddle blanket should be toned to match your tunic, jacket or shirt. If you have buckles or spurs jingling, find out the culprits and do what you can to silence them. Have nothing hanging off your bridle in the way of charms, name tags, or horsehair tassels.

 

Remember, no matter the type of saddle we ride, we aim to set off our horse to advantage. It we use good taste as our guide, good tailoring to the point of severity, along with cleanliness and a respect for the horse, seldom will we go wrong.

 

5. Loose ends…

Remember, turnout is that indefinable thing that lets you know you are in the presence of somebody’s passion.

 

While our cover graphic shows the incredibly detailed and tradition-bound world of carriage driving (illustrated by Barbara Murphy and her Keystone pony, Ray), the notion of turnout goes far beyond the show ring.

 

Appointments such as rain gloves tucked under seat cushions… plaited manes done just so… the harness brass gleaming…. But what about the other things? The state of our horse or pony’s shoeing… the halter hanging up neatly back at the trailer… leg wraps rolled for the trip home… stalls picked out…  water buckets washed… the trailer kept clean between hauls…. Being tidy has little to do with money.

 

Before your class, a last-minute wipe down of your horse’s eyes, nostrils, mouth, bit and your own boots does wonders to lift morale. Pick through the tail, a quick brush of the stockings and polish of the horse’s feet… a dab of colour for your lips, check your hair pins, have someone tug down your chaps and see that your number is dead straight… all these make a difference.

 

Sharing grooming is a fun way to build camaraderie, You can help another competitor, while they do the same for you in turn, so long as you’re showing in different classes.

 

Be on time. Be courteous. No show is possible without the generous gift of time from volunteers, whether at the show office or the in-gate.

 

Finally, remember to smile. We’re so lucky to be able to do this thing we love! School your horse at home and not at the show. If he doesn’t know it just before your class, keep it to lead your list of things to work on in the coming weeks. Have fun, make it as enjoyable as you can for your team, which must always include your horse.

 

Picky and unrelenting? Maybe… but turnout is the one area where almost all of us can improve. To belabor a point, pick your discipline’s idol or mentor, study recent pictures and then, do your best to copy ‘their look’.

 

Take pride, not because someone is judging, but because horses are our passion. They deserve our very best.

 

Please add any other hints or suggestions in the comments. Thank you for reading… and thank you for sharing. Cheers for now, Lee.