UK’S
Your Horse 360 MAY 2012
RIchard maxwell No.1 helps you train EQUINE
MONTHLY MAGAZINE
B e a b e t t e r r i d e r , g e t t h e b e s t f r o m yo u r h o r s e • PERFECT SUMMER HACKING • ESSENTIAL KNOW-HOW SECTION • BOX REST • BRAKING ADVICE • SHOWING GEAR • DRIVING WITH BOYD EXELL
25
perfect summer tips for
hacking
Banish box rest blues
Keep him thinking, healthy and happy New section
Essential know-how The only place
to find everyday skills for every rider
your horse to cope with his phobias
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The best for...
Better riding u Using draw reins u Eventing advice Horse care u Tackling spooking u Pregnant mares Gear guide u Top tack care u Groundbreaking grooming
Put the brakes on
Stop him pulling, rushing & bolting
Bling
in the ring
Our glittering guide to showing gear
driving with Boyd Exell May 2012
£3.80
Boyd Exell
Driving’s the most you can have
fun A
WORDS Katy Islip PHOTOGRAPHY Matthew Roberts
rriving at carriage driving supremo Boyd Exell’s Leicestershire base on a cold and drizzly day, a reverent hush permeates a yard where carriages of all sizes nestle alongside a fleet of lorries, including a 40ft monster which carries 10 horses and two carriages. It’s so quiet I’m worried we’ve got the wrong day, but stepping inside the stable block we find everyone tucked up away from the weather, making the cosy run a hive of activity. Recently crowned the FEI’s World Cup driving champion for a record fourth time, 39-year-old Boyd is certainly at the top of the game he first made his mark on aged just 16, when he won the national pairs championship in his native Australia. you r hor se
Since settling in England in 1994, Boyd’s notched up many impressive successes as well as building a family life with eventer wife Preetha and their children James, five, and Olivia, three. We settle down for a chat in the impressive tack room then Boyd gives us a tour of the yard and its friendly inhabitants, before wheeling out his competition carriage. Despite its compact bulk, Boyd says with a few years’ experience the horses ‘pick it up like a ragdoll’, reinforcing the fact that guiding four galloping horses and a carriage weighing more than half a ton takes incredible skill and nerves of steel. Turn over to find out what drives Boyd to live up to his surname, what he looks for in a horse and of course, his favourite cheese.
The Yard Boyd Exell
Turn over for Boyd’s answers to your questions
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Hacking happy Over rolling hills and eye-catching landscapes, or along local bridleways, get your summer off to a great start with our 25 top tips for perfect, stress-free, summer hacking
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Meet the experts
hatever your discipline, hacking can be hugely beneficial for both you and your horse, so escape from the confines of the school this
Charles Wilson is a Natural Horsemanship trainer
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Anna Ross-Davies is an international dressage rider
summer and embark on some great rides out. Our top tips for perfect summer hacking from the Your Horse team, natural horsemen and top riders will make your hacking a breeze.
Melanie Watson runs Instinctive Horse Training
Sarah Cohen is a four star event rider
Better riding Summer hacking
1
Always tell someone where you’re going and give an approximate return time, so that people know where you are and when you’re due back. Try to stick to your return time and if you’re running late, let someone know so you don’t cause unnecessary worry.
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2
Take advantage of light early mornings and cool summer evenings - the flies are fewer, the shadows are longer, the birds are singing and it’s just you and your horse – there’s nothing better to set you up for the day ahead or to relax you after a hard day at work.
Instinctive Horse Trainer Melanie Watson says: “Always wear appropriate tack – if you have a strong horse, using a martingale or a flash or drop noseband will give you more control – even the most relaxed horses can get a little bit giddy now and again.”
Steph Croxford is a top dressage rider
Anne Ratcliffe is a BHSII riding instructor
3
If you have the time, take a picnic, leadrope and headcollar so you and your horse can have a break.
5
Go for an all-day hack somewhere new as a bit of an adventure – why not head down to the beach, there’s nothing better than a canter along the sand and a paddle in the sea to blow the cobwebs away. Note the tide times if you’re riding on the beach, and watch out for sinking sand. Changes in the colour or texture of sand may indicate that it’s deep and soft.
Kerry Dawson and Esther Young are Endurance GB ride organisers
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Your Horse clinic
Help me stop her rushing at fences I’ve had my five-year-old, 17.2hh, Irish Sport Horse Fraggle for six months now and she’s doing great. However, when riding to a fence she rushes with her head in the air. I lack control and I need help to work on stopping her rushing Sharon Long with Fraggle
Better riding YH clinic
Meet the expert Barrett Watson
Barrett Watson is a top show jumper and trainer who works with horses and riders at all levels. As well as being a talented show jumper, Barrett spent many years on the eventing circuit.
From pole to fence
Warming up
Once Sharon and Fraggle have thoroughly warmed up on both reins, Barrett starts the lesson off by asking them to ride over a couple of poles on the ground. “Keep your hands still and try to get Fraggle going a little more forward over the poles,” says Barrett. Fraggle starts to rush and clanks the poles with her back feet so Sharon needs to keep her contact and ride her straighter over the poles.
Two at a time
“I think it’s time to move onto a small upright with a placing pole to see how Fraggle tackles a fence. I want you to trot to the fence, jump it and then canter away from it,” says Barrett. ‘If Fraggle has a bit of a problem with rushing we want to approach the jump steadily.” On their first attempt it becomes clear Fraggle isn’t jumping straight – she’s veering off to the left to evade Sharon’s aids. “Sit up straight and keep a consistent contact with her,” says Barrett. “She’s setting off too soon towards the fence and then rushing off afterwards. It’s okay, this can be fixed, you just need to shorten your reins, sit up and establish a good pace both before and after the fence.” On their next attempt, Fraggle is still pulling Sharon to the left and rushing at the fence so they spend a few circuits working on the trot and canter paces before tackling the fences again. “Lovely, a great attempt,” says Barrett. He then asks Sharon and Fraggle to take a breather while he creates another fence, four strides apart from the first one.
“Keep an eye on your reins and look for the middle of the fence – let the fence come to you a little bit more,” says Barrett. “Continue to approach in trot and keep her cantering afterwards – don’t pull her up like you are at the moment! A great attempt – I’ll up the height of the fences and we’ll see how she goes.” Fraggle rushes through the higher fences and knocks them down. “You need to make her wait,” says Barrett. “She’s still rushing. If she’s arguing,
The second time around, on the left rein, the pair do a great job. “Move onto the right rein again and remember to ride her straight over the poles and keep your contact,” says Barrett. “Much better, that was really nice.” After a few circuits over the poles, Sharon appears to have Fraggle nicely warmed up and under control. So Barrett decides it’s time for them to leave the ground and Improving your tackle some fences.
Top tip
control on the flat is the best way to help with your control when you leave the ground
don’t approach the fence, ride a circle and calm her down first.” Fraggle continues to knock the fences with her front feet as she’s approaching them too fast. “Take a breather and come back around in canter this time and make sure you’re composed and you’ve gathered a nice rhythm.” Next time around Sharon and Fraggle do a perfect job. “You see, if you’re less panicked, she’ll be less panicked,” says Barrett.
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Better riding Put the brakes on
Hold your horses
We’re all partial to the occasional blast to blow the cobwebs away, but there can be a fine line between an enjoyable gallop and a helterskelter bolt. We’ve spoken to a range of experts to help you pull up, pronto!
Ruth Mazet has worked with problem horses for 35 years, treating each as an individual and using their desire to co-operate to win them round, building trust and confidence along the way. Visit www.horse-talk.org for more information.
Gil Riley
Gil Riley is a vet specialising in equine care. A regular Your Horse expert, he works at the Pool House Veterinary Group and Equine Clinic.
Lee Rutter
Lee Rutter is one of the UK’s top Western riders and trainers, and is the current British Reining Open Champion. For more information visit www.oakridgequarterhorses.co.uk or call 07736 430111.
Ema Odlin
Ema Odlin is a bitting expert who runs The Horse Bit Shop and lectures on bitting at Bishop Burton College. For more information visit www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk or call 01405 861800.
ba Hea nis d h o sa bo ver dd lti the le, ng p w an ag ha d e t te en o ve jo fin ry yy d ou ou ou rd rt th isc im ow ipl e in to ine t he
Meet the experts
Ruth Mazet
Private Lesson
with international dressage rider Dan Sherriff Learning to deal with spooky, tense horses is a must if your horse is going to gain the higher marks in the dressage arena.
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ressage star Dan has always been passionate about horses, spending much of his childhood tearing around on scruffy ponies, much to his farmer dad’s dismay. A member of the Enfield Chace branch of the Pony Club, Dan is one of only a small number of people to pass the Pony Club ‘A’ test with honours, which he’s quite rightly proud about. In 1986, he became the first person to win the British Dressage Supporters Club’s Talent-Spotting competition to find young riders with potential. Since then he’s been exposed to some of the world’s best trainers through various scholarship schemes, with the
most important lessons of his riding career coming from his time with trainers David Hunt and Judy Harvey, both of whom Dan rates very highly. He returned to the Grand Prix scene two years ago after a 10-year break and now has a handful of strong horses and youngsters to keep him at this level. Today Dan is helping Your Horse reader Jess Coltman with her lovely gelding Monty. Although a talented horse, as a 16-year-old, Monty is stuck in his ways, thinks he knows best and uses a number of evasions to avoid working correctly – he knows all the tricks! Jess is keen to learn how to tackle this so they can progress and achieve higher scores.
Expert fact file Name: Dan Sherriff Experience: Based in a
fantastic location only 20 minutes from London, Dan has won every national title up to Prix St Georges level and is always in the top 10 when he competes at Grand Prix. He splits his time between riding his own horses and training horses and riders of all levels from his farm. His continual dressage
education has taught him to be meticulous when it comes to training and managing horses – Dan is particularly good with youngsters, having brought on many of his own. His current top horse is Bayford Hall Dallaglio (aka Lawrence), named after the famous English rugby captain, and he has a handful of youngsters working through the ranks behind him.
Dan is passionate about his dressage career and works like a trooper to make it all happen.
Monty knows all the tricks and Jess is keen to tackle this you r hor se
M ee tt
he pu pi
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Tu r to n ov d e an eal r to d w fi ge ith nd th M o im on ut lis ty how te ’s s J ni p es ng oo s to kin lea he es rns r s
Better riding Private lesson
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What’s all the fuss about…
draw reins?
Draw reins are a controversial subject, but why has this training aid been demonised by some while others happily use them? We bring you the facts so you can make your own informed decision
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Meet the experts
raw reins are intended to encourage a horse to come rounder in his outline, work nicely over his back, maintain a consistent contact and carry himself in balance. They run from the rider’s hands, through the bit rings to one of three points, allowing the rider to apply pressure through the bit to encourage the correct outline. The aim is to ask your horse to lower his head, then release the draw reins when he’s in a position to carry himself. Dressage trainer Tara Osborn explains: “You use draw reins to strengthen and develop the correct muscles so your horse can hold the
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Tara Osborn
position on his own, not to force him into a shape and hold him there.” In inexperienced hands, or if used incorrectly, draw reins can cause lasting physical damage – it’s this potential for harm combined with the confusion surrounding how they should be used that has fuelled the debate. Tara says: “Draw reins are a difficult topic because there are lots of question marks and a lot of grey areas, and that’s why people can get it wrong.” Read on to find out how to fit and use draw reins correctly, and to recognise and avoid common pitfalls if you decide they’re right for you.
Tara Osborn BHSAI is a dressage trainer and rider who runs Long Drove Dressage Centre, in Huntingdon, Cambs. For more information visit www.longdrovedc.co.uk or call Tara on 07971 187955.
Sue Palmer
Sue Palmer is a chartered veterinary physiotherapist and a member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy. Find out more at www. holistichorsehelp.com or call 07976 413488.
Better riding Draw rein debate
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Back by popular demand…the
Training Academy is here!
Get ready for six months of top training as we prepare to launch the 2012 Training Academy and this year we have a few surprises in store!
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ast year you all loved the Your Horse Training Academy (so did we!) so this year we’re bringing it back and with brand new instructors - dressage star Spencer Wilton and international event rider and show jumper Jay Halim. Over the next six months, Spencer and Jay will take you through everything from the basics to competing at a one-day-event, so if you’re a budding dressage rider, a keen eventer or a show jumper they’re here to help you and your horse become the best you can possibly be – and the real clincher – it’s all absolutely free. Plus you can watch all of our Training Academy videos online at your leisure every month and again you won’t have to pay a penny or even register to view. The first instalment of the Academy will be on shop shelves (or coming through your letter box if you subscribe) on May 17.
Get all six issues
for just £12!
Subscribe to Your Horse now for just £12 and you’ll never miss an instalment of the 2012 Training Academy plus you can ensure that your copy of Your Horse is delivered free to your door every month! To subscribe, call 0845 601 1356 (Quote the code: YHTA) or subscribe Save 50% online at www. on your subscription greatmagazines. and get six months of co.uk/YHTA top training for the
Win top training!
price of takeaway pizza!
This year we’re even offering you the amazing opportunity to win training with one of your Academy instructors. To find out how, don’t miss the first instalment next month.
To find out more go to
www.yourhorse.co.uk/ta
96 101
102
NEW section
Essential
know-how
The only place to find everyday skills for every rider 96 Opening gates
safely and easily
Follow our step-by-step guide to this essential skill for happy hacking – plus countryside safety tips
plus Working levels
Find out just how much work your horse is doing – it’ll help get his feeding right
100 Girth up
98 Mount up
Not too tight, not too loose – get his girth just right
Check out our physio’s advice to make sure you’re not putting his back under strain
plus Benefits of
and save his back
99 Take his
temperature... ...and his pulse and respiration
deep litter bedding
Keep your horse snug – and save on mucking out
plus Take the stress
out of spraying
If you struggle to get fly spray
on your horse, you’ll love our step-by-step guide to stress-free spraying
101 Sewing up
a successful plait
Six steps to an eye-catching mane for the show ring
102 Perfect
hands every time
Tips from the top to make sure you have your hands in the right position
For more top tips, help and advice go online to www.yourhorse.co.uk
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Holiday with your horse
Get
away! Fancy swapping your dull arena for a blast over the moors, or enjoying a week’s intensive training with the UK’s top instructors? Time then to box up as we reveal Britain’s best take-your-horse-along riding holidays. Your horse will love the change of scene and it will give your relationship a real boost, whether you want to improve your dressage skills or B&B-hop on a jaunt round the countryside WORDS Helen Milbank
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Horse Care Equine phobias
Help him
fight his fear Meet the expert
They say elephants never forget, but horses have pretty good memories when it comes to traumatic events. Here equine behaviourist Richard Maxwell shows you how to help your horse conquer his fears
Richard Maxwell
Richard Maxwell, aka Max, served in the Household Cavalry, training both horses and riders. After leaving the Army, he worked with Monty Roberts, and has combined conventional and natural training methods to develop his own style, which he describes as ‘practical horsemanship’. For more information visit www.richard-maxwell.com, email richardmaxwell19@aol.com or call 07793 651300.
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will stand out because they can’t afford hen we have a scary to let it happen again. experience in our riding Max says: “Horses are one-time learners we’re able to talk through in these situations, they remember the and understand what fear and pain. For some it only needs to happened, put it into perspective and be one or the other, but if you have both develop coping strategies for any it’s a double-whammy. after-effects. “It all comes down to It’s not so simple for your self-preservation. The horse – his instinct tells memory means they’ll him that, if a situation resist repeating the was scary or painful, experience – the way he’s far safer to refuse your horse sees it, he to get involved next “Punishing a horse who has the right to use his time. This can mean refuses to do something he’s size, strength and a one-off traumatic unsure of will only make things speed to avoid it. experience shapes his worse because it creates an That’s when he starts future expectations, association of pain and to become unruly, so we leaving you fighting fear,” says Max have to show him through both instinct and memory training that these things as you try and reassure him aren’t an advantage.” things aren’t as bad as he thinks. Read on to discover how you can help So how do you crack a phobia? your horse overcome his fears so you can both enjoy your time together, Tackling an equine phobia isn’t simply whether on the ground, out hacking a matter of exposing your horse to the or in the show ring. thing he’s scared of in the hope he gets used to it. How do phobias start? Max says: “If you were scared of snakes and I tied you up and covered you with Max explains all horses are naturally them it wouldn’t help, and it’s the same phobic to some degree, ranging from the for horses. If a phobia overtakes your almost bombproof characters to those emotions and you can’t cope, then you who spook at every leaf. just can’t cope – the adrenaline is Horses learn by experience so if surging and you can’t do anything other something frightening or painful than panic – in your horse this means his happens, as a prey animal this memory
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Inset pic: Bob Langrish
Why punishment isn’t the answer
Horses learn by experience so if something frightening happens, this memory stands out – they can’t afford to let it happen again w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k
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Horse Care In-foal mare
What to expect
when she’s expecting… If you’re thinking about breeding from your mare, vets Charlie Briggs and James Crabtree guide you through the ups and downs of pregnancy, foaling and beyond, in our two-part special
Meet the experts
WORDS Charlie Briggs
James R Crabtree
James is an associate consultant at Equine Reproductive Services, near Malton, Yorkshire. He holds the RCVS certificate in Equine Stud Medicine and is an associate lecturer at Liverpool University.
Charlie Briggs
Charlie is an equine vet who works for the Hale Veterinary Group in Wiltshire. She’s also team vet for the GB Endurance Development Squad.
The biggest journey you can support your mare through is the one to motherhood – here we give you all the information you need to ensure it’s plain sailing from the beginning to the successful birth
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hether your mare is put in foal by a process of natural covering, artificial insemination (AI) or embryo transfer, the early days of pregnancy can be worrying. That said, it’s not necessary to completely wrap your pregnant mare in cotton wool, but as James recommends, you should employ some commonsense management changes.
Care of your mum-to-be
Although fertilisation rates in normal mares reaches 90%, the incidence of Early Embryonic Death (EED) before day 40 of the pregnancy is estimated to be in the region of 5-24%. In mares who have
low fertility, this rate can be higher. There are a number of factors that may contribute towards EED, including stress, the presence of a twin pregnancy, mare hormonal deficiencies and an abnormal uterine environment. Reassuringly, once past the 60-day mark, the majority of mares will carry their foal to term. “The pregnant mare can stay in light exercise for the first four months and racehorses can race until they are four months pregnant, so ridden exercise should be ok,” says James. “However, it’s worth discussing with your vet what you can do, based on your mare’s individual circumstances. Avoid exhausting her, and heat stress, as this may compromise the pregnancy.”
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Boxing clever
Everyone hates box rest but there are lots of ways to make it as stress free as possible for you and your horse. Read on for expert advice WORDS Andrea McHugh
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orses are herd animals and the more natural a lifestyle their owners can provide them with, the happier they will be. Ideally all horses should have the opportunity to roam freely, graze, shelter, drink fresh water and enjoy social contact with other equines, but in reality there are times when box rest, with its periods of isolation, becomes a necessity. Box rest may be needed to help your horse recover from illness, reduce the risk of infections, provide protection from injury or simply to avoid adverse weather conditions. Duration can vary from days, to weeks and months and, while some horses cope well, others find it extremely stressful, developing physical problems such as respiratory ailments, and behavioural problems such as weaving or cribbing. So how can you help your horse survive box rest?
Fighting frustration
“The impact of box rest will vary from individual horse to individual horse,” says Professor Daniel Mills, from the University of Lincoln, who specialises in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine,
Focus on specific frustrations such as providing food he can trickle feed
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Animal Behaviour, Cognition and Welfare. “If your horse is usually turned out for much of the time, it may take him a while to adapt. Similarly if he’s been working hard, he may start to weave or box walk in frustration, particularly if he is predisposed to this.” However, when it comes to the idea of a confined horse experiencing boredom, Professor Mills has some reservations. “Boredom is a nonspecific term and, from a horse’s point of view, I am not sure how ‘bored’ a horse will get. Rather than thinking in terms of alleviating boredom, it’s better to focus on specific frustrations your horse may experience, such as a lack of equine interaction, or frustration at being unable to graze.”
Adapting diet
The lack of grazing means your horse will have different nutritional requirements on box rest. Seek veterinary or nutritionist advice on how to safely make adjustments and avoid dietary problems such as impaction colic. “A horse on box rest needs plenty of good quality forage, but doesn’t really need concentrates, so it’s important to adjust his diet,” advises Professor Mills. “You can put hay into smaller mesh nets to reduce the rate at which forage is consumed, and hang nets in different areas of the stable. “However, I prefer ground feeding, which is much more natural for your horse whose respiratory system is adapted to this rather than forcing him to eat higher up. If possible, at a later stage, it may be a good idea to look at providing restricted grazing, creating a small pen you can move around the field.”
Horse Care Box rest
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Men in the saddle
Let’s hear it for the boys! There may be plenty of male riders in top-flight competition, but at grass-roots level they’re something of a rarity. We chat to a couple of chaps who are starting out in riding to find out what it’s like being the new boy on the (stable) block
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Learning from horses
Follow the
leader We’re constantly looking for new and inspiring ways to teach our horses, but how often do we let our horses teach us? WORDS Imogen Johnson PHOTOGRAPHY Matthew Roberts
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ne dull day last year the weather was truly depressing, money was tight and some of us on the YH team weren’t achieving our riding goals. We were looking for a new and inspiring way to get us all back on track – in life, in the saddle, as individuals and as a team. Enter Sarah Kreutzer and a little pony called Black Jack. With her team, Sarah runs Learning to Listen in North Yorkshire. She
delivers numerous programmes where individuals can work with horses, alone or as a part of a group. Her aim is to help people develop their leadership and coaching skills, ability to work as part of a team or simply for personal development. We were probably looking for help with a bit of everything, but we opted to visit Sarah as a team for some Equine Assisted Team Building – or in layman’s terms, working with horses to unveil our shortcomings!
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Gear guide Competition shirts
Big Test
Competition shirts A smart shirt will help you make a great impression when you're competing, so we've tested 11 to find the one to give you the winning look this season
Testers
A
smart, well-fitting competition shirt complements the rest of your competing outfit. There's loads of choice now with different, modern materials that can help you stay cool and comfortable while riding. Many fabrics have some stretch in them which helps with comfort and stops you feeling restricted – leaving you free to concentrate on your riding. We selected 11 competition shirts for our test, to help you choose the right one for you. Each shirt was worn for
Fit 4
6
8
10
2
4
2
4
0
2
4
6
8
10
6
8
10
Comfort 6
8
10
Value for money 0
Caldene Walden show shirt £39.50 Fit
2
Comfort 0
comfortable each shirt was to ride in, both on the flat and over jumps, whether it was easy to ride in with a competition jacket over the top or if we felt restricted and uncomfortable. Value for money – Finally, taking into account our comments on fit and comfort, we considered whether each shirt was good value for money and whether we'd recommend you buy one. Allison Lowther Gear test editor
approximately one hour, riding on the flat and over a few small show jumps. We washed them, following the manufacturer’s instructions, and we included comments on their ease of care. To simulate riding at a competition, we wore our competition jackets over the top then assessed each shirt under the following criteria. Fit – We assessed how well each shirt fitted and the overall appearance including whether it was long enough to tuck neatly into our breeches. Comfort – We considered how
Gersemi Functional top £44.99 0
Your Horse gear editor Allison Lowther wore each shirt apart from the Fuller Fillies shirt which was tested by Cathy Wood
6
8
0
2
4
Value for money 10
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6
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10
Total = 24/30
Total = 24/30
I wasn’t too sure about this shirt at first, but it definitely looks better on – the ruffled front is actually quite flattering. It fits nicely and the lightweight fabric is comfortable to wear. It has a nice amount of stretch in it so there is no restriction when you move. It’s easy to wash but quite fiddly to iron. I found I was prone to static when wearing it, but it does look smart. Probably a little more than I would pay compared to others in this test.
This is a pull-on style top with no fastenings. I wouldn’t say it’s my favourite style, but once it was on, it was comfortable. The stretch material moves with you so there's no feeling of restriction. I got a little warm wearing it compared to some of the others made of cotton-mix, but it washes well and needed very little ironing. It needed to be longer – what small amount I could tuck into my breeches quickly came un-tucked once I was riding. It also wasn't really suitable for a stock.
Flattering and comfortable but a little dear
Easy on the ironing, but should be longer
Colour White Sizes XS to L Contact 01352 763350 or www.zebraproducts.co.uk
Colours Pink, white Sizes 10 to 16 Contact 01274 711101 or www.caldene.co.uk
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Buyers’ Guide
Tack cleaning Cleaning and conditioning your leather tack correctly will keep it soft and supple, and it’ll last for ages! Take a look at our selection of products that will help keep your tack looking great
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Gear guide Tack cleaning
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