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What’s the one thing you must have when you’re heading off to a show? My makeup box! We use Judges Choice makeup and plaiting products. So you've got your black and brown leg and eye makeup, and white cover cream. Then there’s the plaiting thread, elastics and my shine sprays, plaiting sprays and quarter mark sprays. Taking your own makeup box is a really key thing.
What are the most important things to train for at home? There's not one thing that outweighs anything else, but something a lot of people forget about with show horses is the walk. It’s an important part of your training ride – not just the trotting, cantering and fancy stuff. Also, try and ride your horse in an outside area. If you’re riding in an enclosed arena all the time, when you get to a show and you're suddenly out in an open space your horse doesn’t know how to follow its nose because it’s used to following a wall. I also think that with preparation and training – especially if you’re starting out with a young horse, or a horse that’s new to showing – that it’s really important to ride your horse in its complete show gear at home.
ASK AN EXPERT
Ask an expert
Show riding attire: what are the most important items to get right? Everything’s important to get right, but it can definitely be a big spoiler if you have a poorly fitting jacket, or one that’s not appropriately styled according to your event – whether you’re in show hunter, or rider classes. And it’s the same
One of Australia's most successful show riders, Jess Stones has won too many titles to count, including the much coveted Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout. So who better to ask about show preparation?
with breeches. Go for good fit and an appropriate colour. And not over the top! Less is definitely more. Things are starting to come back to a more traditional and tasteful look, so that’s nice!
