Update from Kerry and Quest

Here we catch up with our 2013 amateur sponsored show rider, Kerry Dawson as she makes progress with breaking Quest.

I have been busy with getting my minor and major projects sorted out at university as my deadline for end of year submission is the middle of May, which isn’t that far off!

On the equine front I have been using the Supreme Products Mane & Tail Builder diligently and it has been amazing

The re growth is substantial now and I feel that by the time my first show comes round I will be able to plait the section that was rubbed. I am so pleased with how it has worked and have been using it three times a week to help with regrowth.

I must say that Quest is loving the massage down his neck, we are still having issues with pulling his mane, but by persevering and doing a little every few days (and I do mean a little) he is more accepting to having it pulled, albeit for the little bit I am pulling.

I have had a practice with the products recommended for Quest – and feel that when the time comes I will get him to shine almost as well as he did when pampered by Team Hollings on his makeover day!

The Supreme Products de luxe Coat Gloss is fabulous and as he is now getting a finer coat, we follow this with Supreme Products Glistening Oil down his legs and to highlight his best points and this results in an amazing finish.

I have been suffering with the bugs that the children have brought home, which played havoc with me as I can’t take medication as it effects my heart condition so for a week I suffered badly, but soldiered on as I had to continue the backing process with Quest and with it being half term both my children needed entertaining.

I worked Quest and got him going nicely with side reins so he could get used to having contact on his mouth.

Before I knew it I was even sat on-board, so this week has seen me working him every day. In the mornings before university I can be found in the field next to his stable working him in his tack on the lunge, and the days I am not at university I have been taking him into the sand paddock and working him in tack, hopefully by the middle of March I will be walking him away. He has taken everything in his stride. I am so impressed with him and how he has been so accepting of everything I have asked him to do.

My daughter has mastered canter now and has been working on her individual show – she has only been riding properly since we got her pony Kennedy at the very end of May! I am amazed at how well she has come on.

I have made payment and sent off the application for grading Quest with CHAPS and have booked my transport ready for April 14. I am rather looking forward to it, but am sure this will change to nerves within a week or so. I am looking at where to take Quest out at the moment for the first show of the season, and am still undecided as backing him has become priority.

Will write again soon Kerry

Meet the Team- Nicola Howarth

Here we meet Nicola Howarth, part-time groom for Team Hollings and a fan of all things showing!


1. How long have you ridden and what disciplines do you compete in?

I’ve been riding for 16 years, mainly showing.

2. What is your favourite TV programme?

America’s Next Top Model, great viewing on a Monday evening.

3. Do you have any brothers or sisters?

I have a younger brother, Ben aged 12.

4. What is your favourite food?

Curry, it’s always been a favourite.

5. Where is your favourite holiday destination?

Italy, it is beautiful.

6. Who is your favourite horse or pony on the yard and why?

Archie an Intermediate Show Hunter, known as Whitaker’s Count in the ring.

7. What is your favourite event?

HOYS

8. What is your favourite item from the Supreme Products Professional Collection?

Supreme Products Glistening Oil- it is a fantastic show ring presentation product and really enhances the horse's features.

9. Do you have a top tip for us?

Don’t put too much horse make-up around the eyes, you create a much better effect by using it sparingly.

10. Do you have any family pets?

Horses, dogs and a cat.

11. What music do you currently listen to?

R ‘n’ B

12. What was the last film you watched at the cinema?

Twilight

13. If you could have an hour’s conversation with anyone who would it be and why?

Maria Carey.

14. When you have time to yourself, how do you like to spend it?

I enjoy going in to town with friends.

15. If you were given £1million, what would you spend it on?

I would buy more horses.

16. What is the most expensive thing you have ever bought?

My horse, Jack a Welsh Section C.

17. If you could be anyone else for the day who would it be?

Maria Carey, I am a huge fan.

Supreme Win For Stanley Grange Show Team

SUPREME PRODUCTS® sponsored Stanley Grange Show Team were in top form at the Cherif Championships taking the Dalton Stud In Hand Championship.

The six-year-old stallion Stanley Grange Cocksure took the title along with the £500 prize in these new classes marked to celebrate the 21st Anniversary.

Delighting the judges, the stallion was foot perfect and was beautifully shown, looking bright and sharp but very well behaved. In the evening performance he came back in great form and showed extra sparkle with his glistening coat and wonderful movement.

Said Jerome Harforth: “We are extremely pleased; we haven’t shown him very much at all. The last outing he had was in 2006, when he was reserve in the Cuddy at the Royal Welsh.”

Stanley Grange Cocksure has been busy making a name for himself at stud. His first offspring are now three-year-olds and he also has some very good stock in Australia.

Supreme Products sponsored show pony producer Katy Carter has also invested in one of his first foals to produce for her daughter, Poppy.

Meet the Team- Stacey Wiseman

Here we meet Stacey Wiseman of Team Hollings. Groom, key member of the turnout brigade and number one fan when it comes to Supreme Products Glistening Oil!

1. How long have you ridden and what disciplines do you compete in?

I have ridden for 27 years and have always concentrated on showing.

2. What is your favourite TV programme?

Criminal Minds or Lie to Me.

3. Do you have any brothers or sisters?

I have two brothers and two sisters and we all get on well which is great.

4. What is your favourite food?

I love Chinese.

5. Where is your favourite holiday destination?

Anywhere hot!

6. Who is your favourite horse or pony on the yard and why?

Abba otherwide known as Pennymore Isadora in the show ring. She is a 128cm show pony.

7. What is your favourite event?

Has to be Royal International Horse Show, great atmosphere lots going on!

8. What is your favourite item from the Supreme Products Professional Collection?

Supreme Products Glistening Oil, it’s a great highlighter and brilliant for final touches.

9. Do you have a top tip for us?

When it comes to show ring preparation don’t get the horses or ponies ready too early!

10. What do you feel is your biggest achievement in life so far?

I produced Whisper from a riding school pony to qualify for the Royal International Horse Show on the first attempt.

11. What music do you currently listen to?

Kasabian, they are brilliant.

13. What book are you reading at the minute?

Fear the Worst by Linwood Barclay.

14. What was the last film you watched at the cinema?

Twilight, same as Penny and Chelsea!

15. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?

I can get so stressed and would like to be more easy going.

16. If you could have an hour’s conversation with anyone who would it be and why?

The footballer Steven Gerrard.

17. When you have time to yourself, how do you like to spend it?

Believe it or not knitting!

18. If you were given £1million, what would you spend it on?

A new horse.

19. What is the most expensive thing you have ever bought?

My car.

Meet the Team – Hannah Esberger-Shepherd

Hannah Esberger – Shepherd is an international dressage rider and 2* trainer. Hannah holds seven national titles and has represented Great Britain as a Pony, Junior, Young and Senior rider.

Hannah’s Profile:

Age: 34

Hobbies: My main hobby now is my daughter Molly! I also love running and dancing

Favourite Food: My husband’s cooking – lamb chops and breakfast

Favourite TV Programme: Reality TV like the X Factor. So You Think You Can Dance... and films

Favourite Album: Not really got one – I love all music

What got you interested in Dressage?: In my pony days trying to make difficult ponies go correctly, then I got on the pony team with Mornington Crescent and I was hooked.

What is your daily routine?: After getting Molly ready for her day, I then go down to the yard for 7.30am and ride eight horses until lunch. During lunch I will discuss various horses with my staff. In the afternoon I will teach clients or go to clinics and teach.

Tell us about your favourite horse: At present I love them all, they each have their own ‘quirks’

Which Rider/Trainer has most inspired you? Rider would be Carl Hester, I also admired the way Klaus Balkonhol’s horses always worked for him.

Which top horse do you admire? This has to be Edwards Gals super horse – Moorlands Totillas.

Top tip: To accentuate and highlight the head area we concentrate on two main areas - the eyes and muzzle. We always apply a little Supreme Products Black Matt Make Up around the eye, dab it on with your fingers or a little sponge. Blend it in well and finish with a little Supreme Products Glistening Oil for understated shine.

Finally we rub Supreme Products Glistening Oil into the muzzle, this works particularly well and provides a great finish.

Supreme Products Turnout Tips for the Show Ring

When you enter the show ring you want to catch the judge’s eye as soon as possible. Therefore, turnout is the essential element for creating a good first impression. Once you have the judge’s attention it will become easier to impress them with your horse’s paces and manners.

At Home

Trimming

First make sure your horse looks elegant by trimming out the ears, muzzle and bridle path. Also trim out the heels to remove any unnecessary leg hair.

Mountain and Moorland Ponies should be shown in their natural state, however you can do some trimming on the pony’s head to make it appear more defined.

If you want to trim the mane be careful to make sure it still looks natural, and the tail should be left neat and tidy, but again in a natural style.

Show horses should also have their tails pulled. If you are not comfortable with pulling tails, use a Supreme Products Thinning Comb. This is a humane and efficient bladed comb which thins tails and manes easily and quickly.

Bathing

Firstly wet your horse all over with lukewarm water. For that ultra clean and shiny look choose a shampoo specific to your horse or pony’s colour. These shampoos really help to enhance the colour of the coat.

Once you have the shampoo to hand you can either put some in a bucket of warm water or place it straight on to your sponge. Get a good lather on the coat and where possible leave the lather on the coat for a few minutes to work in. In stubborn areas you can apply the shampoo neat and leave for a few minutes before washing off.

Thoroughly rinse the shampoo off the coat and sweat scrape the worst of the water away. If you want to enhance your horse’s colour further use Supreme Blue Rinse as a finishing touch as this will add shine and enhance the depth of colour for all coats.

After washing the tail spray with Supreme Products Detangle & Shine to help gently brush through the tail when it is dry. You want to leave your horse or pony’s tail as thick and lustrous as possible so only brush through the tail when you really have to.

Plaiting

When it comes to plaiting you want to be able to stand back and be happy that the number of plaits suit the length of the neck.

Sewing in plaits always leaves a much smarter appearance and is the only way to plait for showing classes.

If you find plaits become loose before you sew them in you can always secure with a rubber band at the bottom of the plait and then start to roll the plait up.

There may be occasions when it is easier to plait up the evening before to save time and reduce stress on the day of the competition.

Using Supreme Products Easy Plait will help you achieve a good professional finish. Spray the section of the mane with Easy Plait and this will help you get a good grip and also hold the plaits in place, without being sticky or greasy.

Once you have plaited, fitting a Supreme Products Lycra Mix Hood will protect the plaits and help lay them and keep them pristine. A hood will also lay the coat, as well as adding condition and shine to the neck.

Plaits can be used to disguise problems with your horse’s neck. If your horse has a weak topline then plaits will need to be pushed up onto the crest to give him a better overall appearance. If he has a cresty neck then he will require small plaits set low down.

For a long neck you need fewer larger plaits, and more plaits for a short neck. Stitch in the plaits to keep them secure.

At The Show

Quarter Marks

All show horses can wear quarter marks apart from Mountain and Moorland ponies.

When applying quarter markers use Supreme Products De Luxe Coat Gloss to help provide the perfect canvas and leave a natural looking shine on the coat.

For Show Ponies and Hacks the traditional markings are an upside down V checked board with sharks teeth, for this you will need a small quarter marking comb.

Start on the left and gently comb down to create a small square, leave a space of an equal width and comb in another square. Continue until about 6 squares have been created.

Then comb directly under the blank squares on the row above. Each row should have one less square, this should create the V shape. Then repeat on the other side, making sure they are symmetrical.

Hunters markers are much simpler, they have two or three rectangles which are produced with a wide body brush with closely knitted bristles.

Once the desired marks have been created, it is now time to add the sharks teeth. With a body brush, brush in an upwards direction in one stroke, you should see that the hair is now laying in a different direction. Starting at the same point brush downwards in a diagonal movement.

The next step is to brush up and try and meet the last point down, repeat this exercise until three or four shark’s teeth have been created.

Finishing Touches

Once you have arrived at the show add the last minute finishing touches to your horse or pony before you enter the ring.

Painting feet is a must’. Supreme Products Hoof Paint is great at producing shiny hooves to give your horse that top class effect. It is a paint, not a varnish, so it allows the hooves to breathe whilst creating a shiny finish.

If your horse has any scars or blemishes, or you want to add extra definition around the eyes and muzzle add Supreme Products Make Up

Finish the look by applying Supreme Products Glistening Oil to add those final touches and enhance and highlight your horse’s best points.

Now head off to the arena with a smile on your face and plenty of confidence!