GROOMING.
Polished FOR
PERFORMANCE WHILE TURNOUT HAS NO BEARING ON MARKS IN DRESSAGE, WE ALL LIKE TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION. SOME HORSES ARE MORE TRICKY THAN OTHERS TO PREPARE FOR COMPETITION, SO JANE CARLEY GETS SOME TIPS FROM PREENING PERFECTIONISTS.
after washing to ensure that bits Angharad Harries takes care of bedding don’t stick and cause of Ruby Hughes and her horses dirty marks. Stable boots also at shows, including the striking help to keep stains at bay. palomino Hilkens Showgirl, “I find NAF Brighter Than known as Lola at home. White paste useful, which I apply “Her white tail and socks are before plaiting, allow to the biggest challenge,” says dry and then brush off Angharad. “I wash before putting her her tail every week TOP TIP boots on. You don’t to stop it getting If a horse gets droppings in a light need too much.” stained, but in the coloured tail, let it dry A cotton sheet run-up to a show I’ll before tackling the keeps Lola’s coat wash it a couple of cleaning. clean, but Angharad days ahead and the stresses the importance day before, using lots of of keeping on top of conditioner.” any stains. The tail is then plaited and “I try and brush them off if placed in the leg of a pair of tights. possible to avoid any streaks.” “I find this better than a tail bag The fashionable large plaits as it’s quieter and moves with the show off the Westfalian mare’s pony better,” she explains. “It stays neck, and Angharad comments: on when we get to the show rather “She’s got a lovely thick mane than keep washing her tail.” which I find easy to plait, but I Angharad’s tip for white socks have to keep it very clean as it’s is to towel dry them thoroughly blonde rather than white, so can quickly look grubby! I use NAF Plait it Up which holds the hair well.”
ARROW KEVIN SP
WHAT’S IN THE SHOW BAG • Tail brush • Damp cloth • Baby wipes
HUGHES DRESSAGE
PRET T Y IN PALOMINO
LEFT: RUBY HUGHES AND THE PALOMINO HILKENS SHOWGIRL. ABOVE: RUBY (LEFT) WITH GROOM ANGHARAD HARRIES AND THE IMMACULATELY PLAITED CLASSIC BEE GEE.
BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 6 2021 // 59
