Sue & Fizz win Makeover with Supreme Products and Robert Walker

SUE Wane and her homebred veteran Fizz enjoyed a day learning about all the turnout tips of the showing world from top show rider and producer Robert Walker.

Rob, Fizz & Sue arriving at Rob's yard in Cheshire

As the lucky winner of the Supreme Products competition in Showing World magazine, Sue travelled from Glossop in Derbyshire to Robert’s base in Cheshire for a day to remember.

Fizz, also known as Mirror Image, arrived looking fit and well but once Robert and his team set out on the makeover he was more than ready for a winning performance in the show ring, with Sue looking immaculate as well.

Robert was delighted at the 20-year-old, Cleveland Bay cross Thoroughbred’s condition, commenting that he certainly didn’t look like a veteran.

Said Sue: “It was a brilliant experience and I learned so much from Robert and Sarah.  Fizz looked immaculate when the team had finished and using the Supreme Products Professional Collection really made a huge difference.”

Sue explained that after initially retiring Fizz a few years ago she decided he looked far too well and brought him back in to work to compete in Veteran showing classes.

“My real aim is to try and qualify for the Veteran Championships at Olympia which would be brilliant,” said Sue.

Robert set to work on Fizz, guiding Sue on how to make him really stand out in the ring and use the Supreme Products Professional Collection effectively.

Rob showing Sue how to do Shark's Teeth

After giving Fizz a good brush following his journey, Robert started to explain the finer points of turnout to Sue.

Starting with the tail, Robert trimmed a couple of inches off Fizz’s tail to accentuate his correct limbs and movement.  As the tail was clean he then sprayed in Supreme Products Sparkle to make the tail look shiny and glossy.

Robert then used Supreme Products De Luxe Coat Gloss to help add lustre and shine to Fizz’s coat so that he really gleamed with condition.

The art of quarter marks and sharks teeth was then demonstrated to perfection with Robert making it look easy and the final image proved outstanding with the help of Supreme Products Spray & Shine.

Sarah showed Sue how to enhance his black legs to make them look glossy and shiny using Supreme Products Glistening Oil on a cloth.

Finishing touches were added to the hooves with Supreme Products Black Hoof Paint before Supreme Products Black Matt Makeup, Highlighter Gel brought definition to his eyes and muzzle.

As Fizz’s mane was very thin, the team were careful when it came to plaiting and Robert explained that new Supreme Products Mane & Tail Builder would certainly help.

Sue & Fizz looking immaculate. And still smiling, even in the rain!

Once the makeover was complete it was time to tack up and get ready for the ring. Sue looked smart in her showing attire and Sarah pointed out how using a thicker brow and noseband would enhance Fizz’s head and suit him better.

To round off the day Sue was delighted when Robert asked if she would like him to provide a few tips when in the arena.

Watching Sue ride, Robert was impressed with their team work and Fizz’s way of going, just encouraging Sue to ride him forward a bit more in the canter.

Sue, Fizz and Rob.

Sue will now be aiming to secure her ticket to Olympia with Fizz hoping to compete in the Veteran Championships at the end of the season.

For more information about Supreme Products contact 01377 229050 or visit www.supremeproducts.co.uk, also available from stockist nationwide.

Great Yorkshire Show Win for Sam

Six-year-old Sam Walker proved a chip off the old block when he turned in a winning performance at the Great Yorkshire Show.

Riding Mirabelle P, Sam won the lead rein show hunter pony, when under the careful eye of producer and leader Katy Carter.

Mirabelle P looked immaculate with Supreme Products™ sponsored Katy producing the five-year-old to perfection. The 12hh pony's plaits were perfect, mane and tail were gleaming and the coat had an incredible shine. The sharks teeth gave the perfect finishing touch.

Said Kate: “For their first season together Sam and Mirabelle P have formed a great partnership. They really suit each other and it was great that all the family were at the show to support them.”

Mum and dad, Sarah and Robert Walker were at the ringside to watch Sam, who is having a brilliant first season.

With Robert currently out of action, he was delighted to be at the show to watch Sam follow in his footsteps and gain his first Great Yorkshire Show win.

Said Sarah: “We were all so pleased for Sam and Katy. Mirabelle P is proving a wonderful pony for Sam to learn on and winning at the Great Yorkshire Show is always a very special occasion.”

Meet the Katy Carter Show Team- Sheila Robinson

Sheila Robinson has been based with top show producer Katy Carter for four years. Here we find out more.

1. How long have you been a groom?

I have been a groom for 25 years and worked for Katy for the last four years.

2. What is your favourite TV programme?

X-Factor

3. Do you have any brothers or sisters?

Yes – three sisters and one brother

4. What is your favourite food?

Indian food – I love a good curry!

5. Where is your favourite holiday destination?

Anywhere in America

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

Shamrock Lake Shirley Temple (Shirley for short), she is a gorgeous Palomino M&M, I love her colour.

7. What is your favourite event?

HOYS – there is always so much going on.

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

I love Supreme Products Spray & Shine. It's a great show shine that gives them a fantastic gloss for the ring and really makes quarters marks and sharks teeth stand out.

9. Do you have a top tip for us?

When we are at home, I use Supreme Products Foot Care Spray on all of the ponies on the yard, it really does keep their hooves and frogs in great condition so that when I put Supreme Products Hoof Paint on at the show, their hooves look fabulous!

Midland Counties Success for Robert Walker

Robert Walker’s 2010 campaign continued at Midland Counties show at Uttoxeter with his string of horses again in the ribbons.

The Supreme Products sponsored rider took the honours with Jill Day’s middleweight hunter, Over The Rainbow and then went champion.

Said Robert: “Over the Rainbow has really matured this year and when he is presented for the ring, plaited up and groomed to show ring perfection he looks a picture. As he is dapple grey once he has been shampooed and we have applied hoof paint he really stands out.”

Robert then partnered the Maxi Cob, Tank Top, owned by Yorkie Jobling-Purser, to head a strong field, before taking the reserve champion rosette.

Busy Season for Team Hollings

Based in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire, Team Hollings have had a busy start to the season. The team comprises of brothers Nigel and Stuart, Nigel’s wife Penny and their daughter Alexandra.
With a host of wins and championships under their belt, the team, sponsored by Supreme Products are now busy on the show circuit with the aim of qualifying for HOYS.

Major wins and championships include:

Midland Counties:

Dynamique - Novice SHP 1st. Owner Mrs L Fitzgerald, Rider Alice Greenwood

NPS Area 5:

Greylands Stardust, Champion SHP. Owner Mrs L Fitzgerald, Rider Alice Greenwood, Qualified HOYS

Cardines M’Lord, HOYS SHP 122cm 1st. Owner Mrs L Fitzgerald, Rider Katie Ashcroft, Qualified HOYS

Pendle First Light, HOYS SHP 153cm 1st. Owner Mrs E Butterworth, Rider Georgia Butterworth, Qualfied HOYS

Hambleton:

The Pied Piper, RIHS BSPA 153cm N/T 1st & Reserve Champion. Owner Mrs S Wood, Rider Michaela Wood

Snaafi Bright Spark, RIHS BSPA NNP 1st. Owner Mrs S Wood, Rider Alex Hollings, Qualified RIHS

Wispa, RIHS BSPA N/T EX 153cm 1st. Owner Mrs W Ellis, Rider Samantha Ellis, Qualified RIHS

Lancashire Championships:

Crafton Touch of Gold, Champion RIHS Show Pony & PBA. Owner Mrs L Fitzgerald, Rider Alice Greenwood

Fleetwater Xecutive, RIHS Small Int SRT 1st & Champion. Owner Mrs E Butterworth, Rider Georgia Butterworth

Greylands Stardust, Champion RIHS SHP. Owner Mrs L Fitzgerald, Rider
Alice Greenwood

Ninfield Fable, Novice Show Pony 1st & Reserve Champion. Owner Mrs J Horsfall, Rider Alex Hollings

Dynamique, Novice 153cm SHP 1st & Reserve Champion. Owner Mrs L Fitzgerald, Rider Alice Greenwood

Cardines M’Lord, RIHS SHP 122cm 1st. Owner Mrs L Fitzgerald, Rider Katie Ashcroft

Pendle First Light, RIHS SHP 153cm 1st. Owner Mrs E Butterworth, Georgia Butterworth

Shropshire Country Spring Show:

Crafton Touch of Gold, Champion RIHS Show Pony. Owner Mrs L Fitzgerald, Rider Alice Greenwood

Greylands Stardust, Champion RIHS SHP. Owner Mrs L Fitzgerald, Rider Alice Greenwood

Royal Angel, Champion RIHS Hack. Owner Mrs Wood, Rider Michaela Wood

Lincolnshire Spring Show:

Pendle First Light, RIHS SHP 1st & Champion,Premier League SHP 1st & Champion. Owner Mrs E Butterworth, Rider Georgia Butterworth

Crafton Touch of Gold, Champion RIHS Part Bred Arab 2nd & Reserve Champion RIHS Show Pony. Owner Mrs L Fitzgerald, Rider Alice Greenwood

Fleetwater Xecutive, RIHS Small Int SRT 1st & Reserve Champion. Owner Mrs E Butterworth, Rider Georgia Butterworth

Whittaker’s Count, Novice Int SH 1st & Reserve Champion. Owner Mrs S Wood, Rider Chelsea Foster

White Rose County:

Pendle First Light, Premier League SHP 1st & Champion & Reserve Supreme. Owner Mrs E Butterworth's Pendle First Light, Rider Georgia Butterworth

The Pied Piper, BSPA 153cm 1st & Champion. Owner Mrs S Wood, Rider Michaela Wood

Ninfield Fable, RIHS PBA 1st & Champion & 1st Novice Show Pony. Owner Mrs J Horsfall, Rider Alex Hollings

Fleetwater Xecutive, RIHS Small Int SRT 1st & Reserve Champion. Owner Mrs E Butterworth, Rider Georgia Butterworth

Cheshire Premier:

Ninfield Fable, RIHS PBA 1st & Reserve Champion. Owner Mrs J Horsfall, Rider Alex Hollings

BSPS Area 1B:

Royal Angel, Reserve Supreme, 1st & Champion RIHS Intermediate & 1st RIHS Large Hack & Reserve Champion. Owner Mrs S Wood, Rider Michaela Wood

Greylands Stardust, Champion RIHS SHP. Owner Mrs L Fitzgerald, Rider Alice Greenwood

Cardines M'Lord, 1st RIHS SHP 122cm. Owner Mrs L Fitzgerald, Rider Katie Ashcrot

BSPS Area 5:

Crafton Touch of Gold, RIHS Part Bred Arab 1st & Champion. Owner
Mrs L Fitzgerald, Rider Chelsea Foster

Royal Angel, RIHS Intermediate 1st & Reserve Champion. Owner Mrs S Wood, Rider Michaela Wood

Fleetwater Xecutive, RIHS Small Int SRT 1st. Owner Mrs E Butterworth, Rider Georgia Butterworth

Ninfield Fable, Novice Show Pony 1st. Owner Team Hollings, Rider Alex Hollings

Thirkleby Beluka, 1st RIHS Part Bred Arab ex 148 1st. Owner Mrs E Butterworth, Rider Georgia Butterworth

North Eastern Counties:

Greylands Stardust, Champion RIHS SHP. Owner Mrs L Fitzgerald, Rider Alice Greenwood

Crafton Touch of Gold, Reserve Champion RIHS Show Pony. Owner Mrs L Fitzgerald, Rider Alice Greenwood

NCPA Lancs Spring:

Crafton Touch of Gold, Champion Show Pony & Reserve Supreme.
Owner Mrs L Fitzgerald, Rider Alice Greenwood

Greylands Stardust, Champion SHP. Owner Mrs L Fitzgerald, Rider Alice Greenwood

Ninfield Fable,1st Novice Show Pony, 1st 138cm & Reserve Champion. Owner
Mrs J Horsfall, Rider Alex Hollings.

Dynamique, 1st Mixed Novice SHP. Owner Mrs L Fitzgerald, Rider Alice Greenwood

BSPS Area 3A:

Royal Angel, 1st Large Int SRT & Champion. Owner Mrs S Wood, Rider Michaela Wood

Pendle First Light, 1st 153cm SHP & Champion. Owner Mrs E Butterworth, Rider Georgia Butterworth

'The Team have had an excellent start to the season and have been incredibly busy,' says Sarah Turnbull of Supreme Products. 'We are delighted to be supporting the team and supplying them with show ring products such as our range of hoof paints; Plaiting Spray and Mane and Tail Detangler amongst others. We see the team and their horses and ponies at shows week in, week out through the season and they always look immaculate.'

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!