Team Hollings have been at the top of their game for more than 40 years. Nigel Hollings and brother, Stuart are well known on the showing circuit for producing some top show horses and ponies. Based in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire with wife Penny and daughter Alexandra, here we catch up with Nigel to find out more about his busy life and how the team use the SUPREME PRODUCTS™ range for top class show preparation.
Q. What school did you go to?
A. I went to Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, which seems such a long time ago now!
Q. Do you have a nickname?
A. Yes, George, it is my middle name. Not many people call me by my nickname now though and until revealing it just now, most people probably wouldn’t know!
Q. If you hadn’t gone into showing what do you think you would be doing now?
A. I think I would like to have been a History teacher or a merchant seaman! I have always enjoyed history and learning about the past.
Q. Why did you choose showing as your particular discipline?
A. I became hooked on showing at an early age after watching a showing class at the Royal Lancashire in 1967 and it just went from there, riding as a child and eventually progressing to produce for owners and developing the business.
Q. Do you have any family pets?
A. Yes we have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels called Libby and Promise and we also have five cats that live on the yard.
Q. Do you follow or play any other sports? If so what are they?
A. I enjoy most sports but football is my favourite. I enjoy watching games whenever I can, and when the showing commitments allow time.
Q. Who is your main sponsor?
A. Our main sponsor is Supreme Products, their range of products are brilliant for preparing our horses and ponies for the show ring. Both long term preparation and those final finishing touches are so important if you want to stand at the top of the line.
Q. In what way do they help you?
A. Supreme Products supply us with shampoos, highlighters, whiteners and hoof care products from the range, helping all our horses and ponies to look outstanding in the show ring. They are brilliant for adding that extra touch of shine, sparkle and gloss so we stand out from the crowd. Supreme Products also supply us with clothing which keeps the team looking smart.
Q. What is your biggest achievement in life so far?
A. My daughter Alexandra who also rides and shows.
Q. How many horses/ponies do you have on your yard?
A. We have 31 at the minute including some youngsters that we have bred ourselves. I always enjoy seeing the youngsters progress and develop, it is very exciting and you always hope you have a star of the future.
Q. How long have you been riding?
A. I have been riding for 43 years and still enjoy it.
Q. Do you have a favourite horse or pony?
A. There are far too many to mention but if I have to name one it would be Fair Breeze who was Riding Horse of the Year 1988, 89 and 90. A great achievement and a wonderful horse.
Q. How did you feel when you won your first major title?
A. It seems a long time ago now as I was only 12-years-old and quite shocked!
Q. Is there a title you would like to win?
A. For me the best title to win is the Champion Show Pony at the Horse of the Year Show. I have won it as a rider in 1972 and as a trainer in 1982 but would always love to win it again. It is a very special championship.
Q. Do you have a favourite event?
A. The Royal Highland Show and Lincolnshire Show are both wonderful events. They are both well run and there is always a lot of good competition to beat.
Q. Do you have any tips for readers interested in taking up showing?
A. Work hard and remember you are only as good as your horses! You need to be dedicated and focused and never give up trying to improve.
Q. How much training per day do you put in?
A. I work for about three hours at the stables and spend a lot of time doing the paper work and generally running the team.
Q. What is your daily routine?
A. I get up each morning at 4am and work until the evening.
Q. Do you have a favourite holiday destination?
A. No not really a break is always welcome though! I also like to go somewhere nice and hot.
Q. What music do you currently listen to?
A. I like listening to all kinds of music, from classical to heavy rock, but am not too keen on Jazz.
Q. What is your favourite TV programme?
A. Any ‘Who Dunnits’, Horror/Ghost, historical documentaries and Star Trek – I’m a bit of a Trekkie fan!
Q. What is your favourite film?
A. Hunt for Red October which stars Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin is a great film.
Q. What was the last film you watched at the cinema?
A. Alice in Wonderland which was out earlier this year and starred Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.
Q. Last item you bought at the supermarket?
A. Lamb chops for dinner.
Q. If you could have an hour’s conversation with anyone who would it be and why?
A. The astronaut Neil Armstrong, I would ask him what it felt like to place the first human foot print on the moon.
Q. What methods of relaxation do you use before a competition?
A. I enjoy reading - newspapers, magazines anything really. It provides a bit of down time, especially when things are so hectic.
Q. How do you wind down after a competition?
A. I like to enjoy a glass of wine, that always helps!
Q. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
A. I wouldn’t like to change too much... although I wouldn’t mind being a little taller and a little slimmer!
Q. When you have time to yourself, how do you like to spend it?
A. Relaxing with friends and dining out, watching TV or reading.
Q. Wine, Beer or Champagne?
A. Has to be wine.
Q. Milk, White or Dark Chocolate?
A. Milk chocolate and white chocolate are both my favourites.
Q. Who is your best friend?
A. I have lots of good friends - not a single best friend!
Q. Who did you last recieve a text from and what did is say?
A. Not telling!
Q. If you could pass any law, what would it be?
A. Bring back capital punishment for certain offences.
Q. If you could be anyone else for the day, who would it be?
A. The Prime Minister.
Q. What is your biggest regret?
A. I don’t have many regrets, but I would have loved to have more children.
Q. What has been the best day of your life so far?
A. There have been so many but to top them all it has to be the day Alexandra was born.
Q. If you were given £1million, what would you spend it on?
A. There are loads of things, too many to mention but I would definitely travel the world.
Q. What type of horsebox do you have?
A. It’s a Lehel.
Q. Where do you source your horses and ponies?
A. All over, I keep a look out all the time.
Q. If there was one horse you could own, past or present, who would it be?
A. Sandown – Police Horse of the Year 1972
Q. Would you make any changes to the way equestrianism is portrayed in the UK?
A. I would like to promote more showing worldwide.
Q. If you could sit down with five other people for a meal who would they be?
A.
Winston Churchill – The greatest Britain who ever lived
Neil Armstrong – First man on the moon
Margaret Thatcher – changed this country at the right time
Henry VIII – great man in history who changed the world forever
Sir Bobby Moore – England 1966 World Cup captain.
Q. If you were invisible for the day, what would be the first thing you’d do?
A. Sit on the front bench in the Houses of Parliament and take a wander around the White House.
Q. What is the most expensive thing you have ever bought?
A. Our farm and horsebox.
Q. Tell us something we don’t know about you...
A. I was awarded a Gold Blue Peter Badge for being the first boy to win the Show Pony Championship at HOYS in 1972. Here Nigel and Supreme Products provide top tips for those final touch up before entering the show ring.
The Morning of the Competition
For the ultimate finishing touches you can make a huge difference by using Supreme Products Make Up and Highlighters.
Supreme Products Make Ups come in a variety of different shades and colours. They are perfect for highlighting the eyes and muzzle and producing real definition.
In showing, all of these finishing touches really make a difference to your overall appearance helping you to progress up the line. Make sure that you use Highlighters and Make Ups to enhance the appearance, not change it and use them sparingly – there is nothing worse than too much product being applied which would make your horse or pony look unnaturally ‘made up’ – judges do not like this!
When preparing for a competition it is important to aim for the ultimate in turnout, presenting both you and your horse in the best possible way.
Last Minute Touch Ups
The key to a smooth running competition day is good organisation. When possible always try to arrive in plenty of time to allow your horse or pony to take in the atmosphere and keep stress to a minimum by not rushing around.
After working the horse in and getting yourself ready, it is a good idea to apply last minute touch ups.
For extra glitz and glamour add a little Supreme Products Sparkle to the tail. This is the ultimate turn out product and looks fantastic especially when competing indoors or in bright sunlight.
To accentuate and highlight the head area concentrate on two main areas - the eyes and muzzle.
Apply a little Supreme Products Make Up around the eyes, dab it on with your fingers or a little sponge.
Once the Make Up is blended in well, finish off with Supreme Products Glistening Oil around the eyes and muzzle to really help you stand out from the crowd.
Highlighting the eye area really accentuates the head and when trotting around the ring helps catch the judge’s attention.
Supreme Products Glistening Oil and the Supreme Products Highlighters have the added benefit of a UV Sun Filter when competing in the hotter weather during the summer months, so can help to prevent sunburn, particularly on lighter skinned animals.
Supreme Products Professional Collection – The Choice of Champions
Supreme Products are available through stockists nationwide. For further information contact Supreme Products on 01377 299050 or visit www.supremeproducts.co.uk
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