Meet the Team- Sarah Aspinall

Twenty-one-year-old Sara Aspinall has worked for Team Hollings for two years. Here we catch up with her at the BSPS Summer Championships at Arena UK, busy getting ponies show ring ready with the help of the Supreme Products Professional Collection.

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

I’ve been riding for 17 years, mainly in showing.

2. What is your favourite TV programme?

Crime Scene Investigation.

3. Do you have any brothers or sisters?

I have an older brother and a sister, Sam and Sophie.

4. What is your favourite food?

I love prawns.

5. Where is your favourite holiday destination?

India it is brilliant.

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

Woody, a 14hh show hunter pony also known as Greylands Stardust.

7. What is your favourite event?

HOYS, great atmosphere.

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

Supreme Products Highlighter Gel, brilliant for last minute preparation.

9. Do you have a top tip for us?

Be organised and have everything to hand you need when getting ready for the ring, it saves on stress.

10. Do you have any family pets?

I have a horse, dogs, cats and chickens.

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

Winning at the Royal International Horse Show on the 14hh Show Hunter Pony, Chiddock Foxglove.

12. What music do you currently listen to?

R ‘n’ B

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

Drag me to Hell – I love scary movies.

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

I would like to be a bit more laid back.

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

David Beckham, say no more!

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

I love shopping.

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

I would spend it on my mum and me.

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

My car

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

Someone with plenty of money.... Cheryl Cole!

Meet the Team-Dave Jinks

Here we meet Dave Jinks, groom for Supreme Products top show producers Robert and Sarah Walker.

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

I have been riding for over 16 years and mainly within dressage and showing disciplines.

2. What is your favourite TV programme?

Hollyoaks

3. Do you have any brothers or sisters?

I have two sisters, Lucy and Sarah

4. What is your favourite food?

I love Chinese food

5. Where is your favourite holiday destination?

Australia

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

Broadstone Dalton, who retired from showing two years ago, just because he was a real superstar. He was a brilliant showman and had a really cheeky personality.

7. What is your favourite event?

The Hack and Cob Championships

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

Supreme Products Sparkle, it’s a great as a coat gloss or through the tail. On top of that, it is quick and easy to use and really catches the eye.

9. Do you have a top tip for us?

Supreme Products black horse Make-Up and Highlighter Gel around the muzzle and eyes gives a great look and effect.

10. Do you have any family pets?

I have two dogs Coco and Lulu.

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

Reserve at HOYS in Perth, Australia

12. What music do you currently listen to?

Florence and the Machine

13. What are you reading at the minute?

Horse & Hound. Always a good read.

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

Knight and Day, I love Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise.

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

Nothing, I love myself.

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

Sarah Walker, we love to gossip!

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

Going out on the town to some nice bars and clubs.

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

A nice property.

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

My car!

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

Prince Harry, I think it would be quite cool to see what he gets up to!

Learn How to Sew Perfect Plaits with Supreme Products

Whether showing, dressage, eventing, show jumping or hunting is your first love, creating smart plaits will give you an element of professionalism. To make sure your horse or pony looks smart when he has an outing, make sure you follow our top plaiting tips.

1. A few days before the big event pull your horses mane to a length so that it is long enough to plait but still easy to handle.

2. Assess the type of neck your horse has and the desired look you want. 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 you should opt for small plaits set low down. For a long neck you need fewer larger plaits, and more plaits for a short neck.

3. As you prepare to plait you will need the following equipment:-

• Metal mane comb
• Plaiting needles
• Plaiting thread
• Rubber bands
• Supreme Products Easy Plait
• Supreme Products Highlighter Gel

4. Spray Supreme Products Easy Plait before you begin to plait, this helps you to hold the mane firmly with extra grip, and helps tie in stray hairs. Easy Plait can be sprayed on to a wet or dry mane and will help you get a good ‘grip’ and will hold plaits in place when finished.

5. With a metal mane comb divide the mane into equal bunches bearing in mind the amount and size of the plaits you desire, securing them with elastic bands.

6. Start at the top of the mane, plait down the section of the mane as tightly as possible to create finer and tidier plaits and secure with an elastic band. If you lose your grip on the mane spray more Supreme Products Easy Plait and you will soon be back on track.

7. Once the plait has been secured, roll - not fold - the plait to the top of the neck and push the needle through from the underside to the top, making sure you guide the needle through the middle of the plait. Once the needle has gone through the plait once, repeat until you have a secure plait. I use quite a lot of thread to help hide the stray hairs, but make sure the thread is discreet. Once the plait is perfectly round with no stray hairs, cut the thread.

8. Work your way down the neck and leave the forelock until last.

9. Depending on how good you are at plaiting, French braiding the forelock adds a truly professional look but can take some time to master.

10. Once happy with your plaits smooth down any loose ends and stray hairs with Supreme Products Highlighter Gel. This is great for adding extra definition to the plaits as well as producing a glistening finish when used on the eyes, muzzle, ears and dock - a truly versatile finish.

11. Whether plaiting up on the eve of the event or on the actual day it is advisable to keep your plaits covered and protected with a high quality garment that is comfortable for your horse and durable for your plaits.

The Supreme Products range of Lycra Mix Hoods ensure your plaits stay pristine and laid. They have large eye and ear holes that fit over your horse’s face and neck keeping plaits intact, clean and smart. Make sure that you fit the hood over the top of the rug to ensure freedom of movement during travelling and overnight. The hood will add condition and shine to the coat and lay the plaits too.

12. After the event, in order to promote and protect your horse’s mane, remove the plaits immediately using an unpicker or unpicking scissors. Unpickers are ideal for removing plaiting thread from plaits, and there is less likely to be mane loss using them compared to using scissors. Once the plaits have been removed apply Supreme Products Moisturise and Condition to repair any damaged hair or rubbed skin, keeping your horse in perfect condition and ready for the next show.