Ponies UK News: Simon and Sarah Head for HOYS

SUPREME PRODUCTS™ sponsored show riders Simon Charlesworth and Sarah Emmerson hit top form at Ponies UK both qualifying for the Horse of the Year Show.
Simon took the honours in the large hack class, with Holtess Wise and Wonderful a five-year-old brown gelding, owned by Vicky Rudd. They went on to take the Hack Championship and the Supreme Ridden Championship of the show.

Stokesley based Sarah Emmerson and her four-year-old Chiddock Time Out were also in good form taking second place in the Small Hack and second reserve champion to also win their way through to HOYS.
Earlier in the season the pair had a win in the Part-bred Arabs class at White Rose County securing them a place at the Royal International Horse Show where they finished sixth.

As a four-year-old Chiddock Time Out has had a quiet season but is starting to show his potential when it counts, qualifying for all the top shows.

Said Sarah: “Although we have not over shown him, he is on top form and is going really well. I am very pleased with him and over the moon we have our ticket for HOYS. Thanks to the Supreme Products range we can always make sure he looks fantastic and his coat really does shine. The show ring presentation products and grooming aids really do help give a perfect finishing touch."

Simon was also in form at Ponies UK in the young stock classes taking the JB Memorial Championship with Stanley Grange Regal Heights, a three-year-old colt owned by Jenny Gilchrist, continuing their great season so far.

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!

Supreme Products- New Tail Bag

New for 2010 is the Supreme Products Tail Bag.

Waterproof, lightweight and roomy, the Supreme Products Tail Bag will protect the tail from stains in the field, stable, travelling and give protection against wind, rain and sun damage.

The tail bag is fantastic for use for shows and when travelling. Place the clean, try tail in to the bag and secure the ties at the bottom of the dock then bandage up the tail over the ties to keep securely in place.

Great for Natives and all animals with a lot of tail to preserve and keep clean.

Available in sizes 20” and 24”, the Tail Bag costs £12.50 and £14.50 respectively.

Supreme Products Hoods & Garments – for a superior fit and finish

For further information call Supreme Products on 01377 229050 or visit the Supreme Products website, also available at stockists nationwide.

The Use of Equestrian Garments for Show Ring Success

One of the key elements to keeping a coat looking in great condition throughout the year is good rugging. A horse must be kept warm throughout the winter to encourage the growth of a fine summer coat. The use of garments also enhances the quality of the coat so you can wow the judges this summer.

Body Wrap and Hoods

A Supreme Products Body Wrap should be your first choice when it comes to choosing your horse’s under rug. This garment is truly fantastic at keeping coats in tip top condition. With a belly flap and leg straps, the body wrap does not move and provides a great rugging accessory for your horse.

In the cold winter months, the Body Wrap can be compared to a second skin providing that all important layer to keep your horse or pony warm and encourage the summer coat to grow. During the warm summer months the body wrap is ideal when it comes to maintaining the perfect coat without creating discomfort which stems from over-rugging during warm nights.

For early starts the Body Wrap is the ultimate garment in competition preparation. Not only does the Body Wrap keep your horse’s coat sleek and shiny, it also helps to keep them clean and protects plaits created the day before.

A close relative of the Body Wrap is the Supreme Products Rug Wrap. Available in both Lycra Mix or Fleece, this garment covers the rug area and secures under the belly. It will protect the coat, chest, withers and shoulder area from rug rubs and will lay the coat keeping it in pristine condition.

Supreme Products Hoods are also great when it comes to preparing for a show. Hoods must be fastened correctly to stop the hood from riding upwards causing problems for your horse or pony and messing up your plaits. Hoods with an Anti Rub vest built in must be attached around the horse’s girth area. For those looking for something a bit different Supreme Products has a range of Fleece Hood designs to choose from.

Anti Rub Vests

Anti Rub Vests are brilliant at keeping a coat looking good. Rug rubs occur when there is friction between the tough fabrics of a rug and soft, bare skin. The results of rug rubs not only leaves a horse uncomfortable but with bald patches, especially on the shoulders. To reduce the chances of this happening, a Supreme Products Anti-Rub Vest will act as a barrier between the skin and the rug. By securely fastening the vest under the stomach the vest should not move providing great protection.

For those needing extra protection the Supreme Products Anti Rub Padded Bib is excellent. Three moveable layers between the horse and the rug help prevent friction and rubbing. The Bib is satin lined so moves over the coat, preventing rubs, as well as smoothing the coat and leaving it lustrous, laid and shiny.

Neck Sweat

The Supreme Products Neck Sweat is a garment that can really help show horses or ponies that have large cresty necks. The Neck Sweat has been designed to reduce hard or neck fats by keeping the heat in and breaking down the fatty cells.

This garment can really help with the overall impression your horse makes on the judge. Some horses have larger necks with more top line than other and there may be occasions when you need help reducing this.

Tail Cover

When travelling to competitions, horses have a tendency to get excited. Covering your horse’s tail is a simple and easy way of keeping it clean, especially if you have a grey or coloured with a white tail.

When using a tail cover make sure your horse is comfortable, you do not want to arrive at the show to find your horse in discomfort, clamping down his tail and resulting in a poor performance. However you do not want to put the tail cover on too loosely as it will slip down the tail defeating the object of using a cover so you need to find the balance. Supreme Products now have a couple of options available – a Tail Cover which is fleece lined and can attach to the rug and covers the length of the tail or, new for 2010 is the Waterproof Tail Bag which covers and protects the lower half of the tail.

Travelling Bandages and Pads

When travelling it is important to protect your horse’s legs from any knocks or bumps that might occur. You do not want to turn up at a show to find your horse has cut himself or has a swollen leg and is unable to compete. Using travel boots when in transit will also help keep your horses legs clean, giving you more time to work in and less stress when you arrive at the show.

Stable bandages and boots are also recommended for horses that are prone to knocking themselves or if a horse is put into an unfamiliar stable. Another reason for using stable bandages is for support especially with older horses. Before or after a busy day of showing bandaging your horse’s legs can help keep them clean and blemish free.

At The Show

Rain Sheet

When caught in a rain storm keep your horse dry so he stays looking at his best. The Supreme Products Fleece Lined Rain Sheet is a real necessity, allowing you to be prepared for the worst weather conditions.

An important feature - all rain sheets should have is plenty of fastenings. With rain normally comes wind, therefore if you are putting a rain sheet on your horse or pony make sure you fasten it securely. You do not want the wind getting underneath the rug and lifting it up as this could be a potential hazard for the horse and anyone in the vicinity.

In bad weather a Supreme Products Lined Rain Sheet can really help with your turnout. Not only will it keep your horse or pony’s coat looking good but will also keep them warm.

For further information please contact Supreme Products on 01377 229050 or visit the Supreme Products website.

The Supreme Products Guide to Producing a Champion

Most of the preparation for a show horse should be done at home. Giving your horse a quick bath and brush the day before a show will not have him looking in tip top condition. A show horse requires care and attention to keep him looking at his best throughout the season.

Feeding

Finding the correct feed for your horse is essential for making sure your horse looks and performs well. Regular small feeds are essential to a horses wellbeing. If your horse’s coat looks dull, add a splash of soya oil to his feed and he will soon have a shine back on his coat.

Rugging

Rugging your horse will help keep his summer coat looking good and discourage him from growing a winter one. Make sure he is warm - but not too hot otherwise he will be uncomfortable - at all times to help maintain a great coat.

In the summer it can become quite warm so you do not want to over-rug your horse. A Supreme Products Lycra Body Wrap is perfect for keeping your horse cool and comfortable whilst keeping the coat in tip top condition by preventing rug rubs. Add a lightweight rug over the top if necessary on colder periods.

Grooming

Daily grooming is essential to keep him looking good. By thoroughly grooming your horse you will help stimulate oil production and blood circulation, and will remove any dead skin cells and coat to give your horse a healthy glow. After grooming spray with Supreme Products De Luxe Coat Gloss to leave a natural looking shine to your horse’s coat

Trim any stray hairs on your horses head for example the ears, whiskers, jaw line and bridle path with mini clippers. Also make sure all heels are trimmed to create an elegant look.

Pay attention to the length of the mane and tail. If you will be regularly plaiting the mane, make sure it is pulled to a length that is manageable and will enable you to create neat plaits. In the show ring a nicely pulled tail looks elegant, however if you are not comfortable with pulling your horses tail the Supreme Products Thinning Comb is perfect for thinning manes and tails quickly and humanely.

Riding

At the start of the year make sure you get your show animals as fit as possible to be able to cope with the long days at shows. Spend a lot of time hacking out and building up the ponies and horses with more intense schooling. Good schooling work is important for the right build up of muscles to make them look more defined.

Throughout the season it is a case of ticking your horse over in between shows. It's a good idea to spend more time hacking the ponies and horses out and turning them out in the field in an attempt to keep their fitness and interest in showing.

Turnout

Turn out as much as possible. Ideally, aim for them to each get a few hours every day. Time in the field is very beneficial for horses and ponies, they get to relax and unwind which should stop them from becoming stale half way through the season.

During the season the ponies should be fit enough so concentrate on keeping them happy and sweet. After a show, give them a couple of days in the field, coming in at night for a feed and to be checked over.

For further information please contact Supreme Products on 01377 217150 or visit www.supremeproducts.co.uk

The Supreme Products Guide to Bathing and Trimming: Part Two

At first glance, it would appear that all horse shampoos are the same. However, there are important differences between each type. Choosing the right one, depending on the colour of your horse among many other things, can make bathing a whole lot easier and the end result much more spectacular!

The Horse That Attracts Dirt

We all know how frustrating it can be to spend hours scrubbing at a horrible yellow stable stain or mud patch. Fortunately, things don't have to be as labour intensive anymore, thanks to Supreme Products Stain Remover Shampoo.

Designed specifically for targeting affected areas, this shampoo needs to be worked into the skin and is perfect for use on older or more established stains on the body, legs and even yellow stains in the tail.

If you feel your horse is really dirty turn to Supreme Products Stain Remover Spray, developed to dissolve and lift vegetable based stains quickly from the coat, legs and hocks.

Ideal for use as a precursor to bathing or even on the morning of a show, Supreme Products Stain Remover Spray is an essential emergency piece of kit.

Black and Brown Coats

It is important when looking at shampoos that you choose one that will bring out the true bloom, as well as adding lustre and shine.

Bay and Brown coats can often look dull, which is partially due to the scurf and dirt that is most visible in this colour of coat.

Supreme Products High Shine Shampoo has been designed specifically for challenging the build-up of coat preparations which have built up throughout the show season. This is a valuable shampoo in the early season and is brilliant after clipping. High Shine Shampoo is highly effective in removing grease, dirt and scurf and leaving the coat silky and shiny.

Whilst great for Bay and Browns this shampoo also adds shine and lustre to all coat colours, making it extremely versatile.

Chestnut and Bright Bay Coats

With a specialist colour enhancing formulation, Supreme Products Chestnut Shampoo is highly concentrated with added conditioners to increase depth of colour, promote chestnut tones and eliminate fading.

Supreme Products Chestnut Shampoo produces a beautiful and highly lustrous finish to your horse’s coat, making him look and feel like a true champion. This shampoo can be particularly beneficial in restoring colour to faded coats during the summer months.

Palomino and Dun Coats

Supreme Products Palomino Shampoo contains natural brighteners and honey conditioner specifically formulated for use on palomino, golden dun and light coloured show coats. It helps enhance their natural colour and produces a brilliant show ring finish.

Palomino and Dun horses are a minority colour group therefore they do stand out in the ring. This product will make your horse look extra special in the ring and can bring an extra shine to a coat that very rarely glistens and gleams.

Brighter Whites

For those of you who have grey, white or coloured horses, you will be inundated with whitening products and shampoos, so how do you know which one to choose?

Tried and tested by many showing professionals Supreme Products Blue Shampoo adds a bright and white finish to show ring turnout. This shampoo, containing optical brighteners for light coats, is sure to make white and grey horses stand out from the crowd. It is also really effective and useful on coloured coats – for brightening and whitening the light coat and for adding depth of colour and shine to the darker coat.

For extra definition and whitening, Supreme Products Leg and Body Whitener can also be used to whiten the body, mane and tail, and is perfect for covering stable stains and unsightly marks. The powder can be mixed with water to create a paste and then applied to the legs to create the whitest and brightest socks in the show ring, socks that really dazzle!

Damaged or Dry Coats

New to the Supreme Products Professional Collection is Supreme Products Show Shampoo and Conditioner which is suitable for use on all coat colours and textures to restore lustre and shine. This almond and coconut shampoo contains conditioners to help restore damaged or dry coats, manes and tails. This shampoo will help to produce a brilliant show ring finish to all coat colours.

The Secret Weapon!

When you feel you really want to get ahead in the turnout stakes and want to pull out all the stops, why not go for something a little extra?

Bearing in mind a little goes a long way Supreme Products Blue Rinse has been described as ‘magic’ in a pot and can be added to the final rinse to accentuate and add definition to grey’s and all coat colour’s.