Ask The Experts

A. Brow bands can be as flamboyant as you like, hacks must wear coloured velvet ones (unlike hunters and cobs).

When choosing the colour and style, pick a shade that does not clash with your horses colour. Red, white and blue are very popular and for that extra bit of glamour, some brow bands are made with diamante!

Which ever colour brow band you go for make sure your tie corresponds.

A. Christine from Supreme Products says: If you mean a straightforward showing class then it is not
permissible to use a 'flash' noseband with any type of bridle in affiliated 'flat' showing classes.

You may be able to purchase a bit with a 'spoon'mouthpiece that would help to keep the tongue down.

A. Sarah from Supreme Products says: We have a couple of products that could really help you here - one is Moisturise & Condition which is excellent for challenging dry manes and tails (as well as for use all over the body) and can be used all year round to maintain shine and condition. Work it well in to the coat, mane and tail for best results. We also have Detangle & Shine which will do exactly as it says - detangle manes and tails and keeps them silky, lustrous and tangle-free.
One of our most popular products is 'Sparkle' which also contains a detangler and is fantastic for producing shine on the mane and tail (if you plait, plait first then apply Sparkle).
All these products are available on the site, in the 'Shop' area. As with all of our products, use them sparingly - a little does go a long way and will produce excellent results.

A. Many people get told to plait to an odd number, however I like to plait according to the neck. A short neck should have more plaits, which gives the impression of it being longer than it really is.

Likewise, a long neck should have fewer bigger plaits, which shortens up the overall appearance.

A. Supreme Products advise - As your horse is still young, this may well be his colour changing slightly, however many coats do show signs of 'fade' in the summer months as they are 'bleached' by the sun.

There are a couple of products that may assist in restoring colour - Supreme Products Chestnut Shampoo and also Supreme Products Blue Tint or Blue Rinse. These products will enhance and darken the colours of the coat as well as add condition and shine.

A. Practise standing your horse square with the head in the right position. Some horses need to look up to give a more swan-like impression, whilst some need to keep their head lower if your horse lacks length of rein.

Try to stand on a good piece of level ground or slightly up hill as this will enhance the appearance of the horse. When walking away from the judge and trotting back do so in a straight line.

Always have a helper on hand to help encourage your horse forward - dragging a horse is never a good look!

A. The main point to remember about the individual show is that it is your sole opportunity to impress the judge, where for two or three minutes all eyes are on you, so make the most of it.

Your individual show should be catered around your horse's or pony's best points, if he has an extravagant trot then you should add an extra trot to finish, likewise if his canter is exceptionally good, ride more in this pace with a two time change.

Always make the most of the ring space and keep your show short and sweet. If you are including a rein back in your show make sure it is well practised. It should be an even two time gait performed from a square halt, and can not be done from a tense halt as the rhythm will be affected and probably reverse to one side.

A. Rob Walker says - It goes without saying that a perfect show how horse will have correct confirmation, impeccable manners and breathtaking paces.

A horse that has amazing presence has the ability to grab the judges attention, something which you should always look for when you are searching for a perfect horse.

If I were to choose my ideal horse I would pick an old fashioned lightweight hunter with plenty of Thoroughbred breeding. An athletic type, who could easily cope with a day out on the hunting field.

The thoroughbred breeding would bring quality and presence with a trainable attitude.

Over the years there have been many good show horses but one stands out of the crowd for me, Top Notch ridden by Norman Crow, a great example of what a lightweight hunter should be.

Top Notch was always special when you saw him in the ring you had to look at him, he breathed quality.

A fabulous dark brown gelding, with tremendous presence and near perfect confirmation, he was just a winner.

A traditional sort, Top Notch always looked athletic and always had a great attitude towards work and showing. Confirmationally Top Notch was near perfect.