Busy with final written work for university, competition winner Kerry Dawson finds time to update us on her progress this month.

Last month saw me busy with university work, everything else had to take a back seat as I have my hand in deadline for May 24 which is when I am in hospital seeing my heart surgeon/ specialist again to discuss my progress since surgery last July.

April was a really busy month for me, what with working on my major and minor projects; sending my work out of house to be finished and also sourcing fabrics for my product as well as all my digital and written work – which is always hard for me being dyslexic.And with the deadline looming, I have the added stress of remembering everything that I need to do and get it all done in plenty of time for my hand in!

April saw my daughter take her pony, Gadbury Little Diamond (Kennedy), out in hand showing and she did very well placed second in the veteran class and also sixth in the junior handler under 10.

Kennedy looked fantastic thanks to the Supreme Products Professional Collection with his plaits kept in place thanks to Supreme Products Easy Plait and his coat looking great with more than a little help from the SupremeProducts de luxe Coat Gloss, even though you could see he still looks clipped!

This was the first time that I had worked on a solid coloured pony and I let my daughter plait her up. It was nice for her to be out showing with her own pony, as previously she has shown a friends in the junior handler class.

This weekend coming she will be out there doing her first ever ridden show! I’m more scared than when I show, but with everything I have going on at the moment everything is all over the place and I am aiming to get Quest out to the in-hand championships at Longton in the middle of May before Cheshire County show in June.

 I did take Quest out to a Chaps show at the start of April where he was on his toes – it was his first time out since Cheshire – and I got chance to use the all the Supreme Products that I was shown how to use at the makeover that we had with Team Hollings and I am pleased that I haven’t forgotten anything at all!

Well sorry this month’s update is short as I have got my written report to edit and get finalised ready for hand in on May 9.

Will write again soon

Kerry x

Supreme Products Turnout Masterclass at Town and Country Supplies Open Weekend on 23rd March

 

SUPREME Products - leaders in preparation products for show ring and arena - and the Moore-Williams show team will head up a showing turnout Masterclass at Town and Country Supplies Open Weekend on 23^rd March 2013.

The Masterclass will take place at 11.30am at the Exeter store with the Supreme Products sponsored Moore-Williams show team providing a host of advice and top tips. The demonstration will be carried out by Zoe Moore-Williams and mum Beverley, a well-respected judge in the showing world.

The Professional Collection

Well known for British made products of the very highest quality, the Supreme Products Professional Collection includes everything from colour enhancing shampoos to highlighters, brighteners, glosses and make-up, providing the most comprehensive range of products that are available on the market.

The Masterclass will demonstrate how to use the products; how to get the winning edge by incorporating the products into show ring and dressage arena turnout, and how to add the finishing touches that lead to a winning performance.

Sarah Turnbull of Supreme Products said: “We are delighted to be able to show how products from the Professional Collection can make such a difference when it comes to producing horses and ponies to the highest standards, whether in the showing world or in the dressage arena where they are becoming more and more popular.

“From advice on enhancing the coat, to preparing quarter marks and sharks teeth, to getting manes ready to plait or ensuring a brilliant white finish, the Moore-Williams show team will be on hand to offer help and advice during the demonstration.”

Added Zoe: “We are looking forward to bringing the Supreme Products Masterclass to Town and Country Supplies as the Professional Collection really does allow us to turn the horses and ponies out to the highest standard. 

“It is the very best quality which means it lasts a long time and gives you the confidence the horses and ponies are produced to the ultimate level.”

Zoe and Mathemadam High Spirit

Zoe’s team of seven horses and ponies for 2013 include Mathemadam High Spirit, a Large Intermediate Show Riding Type, who won eight championships, took fourth at the RIHS, and finished sixth at HOYS last year.

For more information, please contact Town and Country Supplies on 01392 461420 or click here to visit their website

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

Supreme Products Support Moore-Williams Show Team

SUPREME Products, the leaders in show preparation products, are sponsoring Devon-based home producers the Moore-Williams show team.

Young riders Zoe (17) and sister Lauren (14), together with their mum Beverley, have seven horses and ponies to show for the 2013 season and are delighted to be joining Team Supreme Products.

Zoe works as a Marketing Assistant at Missina Horseboxes and combines this with producing the horses and ponies and preparing them for shows.

Lauren is currently studying for her GCSE’s and helps on the yard in the evenings and weekends.

Said Zoe: “This year looks to be very busy and exciting for us and to have the support from Supreme Products is just brilliant.

“The Supreme Products Professional Collection really does allow us to turn the horses and ponies out to the highest standard. 

“It is the very best quality which means it lasts a long time and gives you the confidence the horses and ponies are produced to the ultimate level.”

Their team of seven for 2013 include Mathemadam High Spirit, a Large Intermediate Show Riding Type.

Last year with Zoe she won eight championships, took fourth at the RIHS, and finished sixth at HOYS.

Whiteleaze Diplomat is a 138cms Show Pony.   Mickey as he is known at home is only a five-year-old however he achieved much last year when unbeaten in Novice classes before going on to be crowned Supreme Novice Champion at Equifest as well as winning three classes at the BSPS Summer Championships.

Van Goofy is a Novice 153cms Show Hunter Pony, and a very exciting novice prospect for this season.

He is joined by the well established Pessall Fanfare, a 148cms Show Pony, Beckside First Impression, a 138cms Show Pony, Hayne Valley Serenade, a Novice 148cms Show Pony and Baylew St. Maybe, a three-year-old homebred Riding Pony. 

For further information please contact Supreme Products on (01377) 229050 or visit www.supremeproducts.co.uk

For further information please contact Tim Smith at TSM on (01724) 784600.

Driving to Success with Andrew Hamilton-Rhodes

Andrew & Brookeborough Duke. Image by E S Photography

When it comes to carriage driving, Andrew Hamilton Rhodes is a man on a mission.  Driven to success, Andrew is also driven to turn his horses and ponies out to the highest standard and is sponsored by Supreme Products, the leaders in show preparation products.

With five horses to compete through 2013, the year looks set to be a busy one for leading carriage driver, Andrew Hamilton-Rhodes.

His team include the multi-award-winning hackney Brookeborough Duke; his other hackney, Heartland Red Rocket; a Welsh Section D called Trixies Princess Eirwen, Brookfield Mark of Success in the hackney wagon classes and novice hackney Berkeley Rhodes Princess.

With The Duke, Andrew has been the National Hackney Type Champion with both the British Driving Society and the Hackney Horse Society on many occasions, and this great partnership has also won the Osborne Supreme National BDS Championship. 

Now 14-years-old The Duke has been a big winner throughout his career taking most major championships in his stride, with top marks for his turnout also awarded at the Horse of the Year Show.

Says Andrew: “Making sure my horses and ponies look immaculate when in the competition arena is very important to me and with help from Supreme Products I really have the best opportunity to turn my horses and ponies out to a winning level.”

Here we find out more about this talented carriage driver:

Age:               45-years-old

Based:           Gloucestershire

Current competition horses, tell us about them:

Brookeborough Duke, Hackney 14 years.   

Berkeley Rhodes Princess, Novice Hackney 5 years.

Brookfield Mark Of Success, Hackney 14 years

Heartland Red Rocket, Hackney 7 years

Trixies Princess Irwin, Welsh Section D Cob, 4 years.

                

Major achievements:

British Driving Society National Supreme Champion

Hackney Horse Society National Supreme Champion

 Do you have any pets?   Three Lakeland Terriers, Socs, Doreen & Bertie

Do you play or follow any other sports?    I enjoy watching Eventing and Show Jumping, they are both very exciting sports.

Who is your main sponsor? Supreme Products, their range of turnout products is fantastic, extremely comprehensive and make a huge difference, I wouldn’t be without them.

Why did you choose carriage driving as your particular discipline? It gives me a massive buzz and I really enjoy showing horses and turning them out to the highest standard.

What was your first major win?  The Concours d’Elegance at Burghley in a class of 32 entries.

Is there a major title that you would like to win?   It would have to be the Horse of the Year Show – I have been reserve a few times, so to win would be the icing on the cake.

What is your favourite TV show/programmes?  Friends is always good for a laugh and Downton Abbey is just brilliant.

Do you have a favourite show or event?  The Royal Cornwall Show is a great event that I have always enjoyed.

Where do you prefer to spend your holidays?    I just love competing so would have to say on the showgrounds.

What kind of music do you like to listen to?  I like lots of different styles so my taste is very varied and mixed

Do you have a favourite singer/band?  Barbara Streisand

What is the last book you read?   Fifty Shades of Grey

What is your favourite meal and drink?  Chinese and Gin

How do you wind down after a competition?   With a drink

Do you get any social time, and if so, what do you prefer to do?   Eating out

Do you have a favourite piece of tack or equipment that you could not live without?    Lawton Show Phaeton

For further information call Supreme Products on 01377 229050 or visit www.supremeproducts.co.uk

With special thanks to E S Photography for provision of images.  Visit www.esphotography.co.uk for more information and to view the image library. 

A month on from our makeover - an update from Kerry Dawson

After the brilliant Supreme Products makeover day with Team Hollings I started to use the Supreme Products Mane & Tail Builder from the Heritage Collection on Quest’s rubbed out mane and he is enjoying the massage down his mane every few days! To be honest I am also enjoying it too as it smells really nice and is starting to work already. 

Since the visit to Team Hollings, I have been thinning out Quest’s mane a little at a time. I was advised to do this by Stacey as Quest has such a thick mane I need to thin it in small amounts each time. Stacey took a lot out on the day, so it is just a case of keeping an eye on it. Hopefully I am doing it correctly as I don’t want to make it too thin and I have to be careful that the frustrated hair dresser in me doesn’t strike again!

It is most definitely an art form and one that I need to master before the showing season gets underway.

We have been suffering like everyone else with the adverse weather conditions of late, the ice and snow have been that bad that my usual 15 minute trip to the yard was taking in the region of 35 minutes. I even had to dig my car out on the Saturday as it was a good eight or nine inches deep with snow, not to mention the snowplough that had gone through the village and pushed all the snow against the cars! 

Quest in the snow

At the yard, the ice on the farm track leading to the other stable block and sand paddock from where my stables are was so icy I dared not risk either of my ponies slipping and injuring themselves when walking to the sand paddock so I have been working Quest in-hand in the field next to the stables.

It was not an ideal situation but needs must so we have been working on our in-hand development, standing correctly when in front of the judge, long-reining and working on the lunge with roller and side reins, ready for backing in the next few weeks.

I had planned to sit on Quest and to have walked him off the lunge by now but if I am honest I didn’t want to hit the deck in the big freeze that we have had as the sand was as hard as concrete and I don’t bounce like I used to.

My plan now is to work him every day. When I am at University he will be working in the morning before I go to my classes and on my days off I will be able to spend more time with him and hopefully have him under saddle and walking solo with rider by the end of February! Fingers crossed that the weather improves!

 Apart from that this month has been the usual round of hospital appointments as my son badly broke his leg at the start of December and he has just had the cast removed after being in it for the past 10 weeks, so now we start the physio stage, although he is wanting to get back in the saddle now that the cast is off!  

My youngest and I are planning our showing seasons. My daughter will be doing her first ever season ridden as she now has a pony that will do the things that she wants to do. 

We have been looking at her joining the local Riding Club so she can do dressage and showing with her pony, and she may do a few other shows as well as a few clinics to improve her skills. 

As for me, well I have sent Quest’s passport off to be over stamped with Chaps and have become a member.

I hope to get him graded with CHAPS in April as a stallion, he is already a licensed stallion with the WPCS. I have also booked my transport for Cheshire County Show, I just have to decide which classes to do with him now and have been looking at doing the spring LWPCS show which is a bronze medal event. 

As yet I am still undecided as to which shows to do and where, not having my own transport is an issue, but I have always managed to get round that with hacking to local shows, walking Quest out in hand along the roads means when backed we will have no issue hacking out or troubles with traffic.

So the biggest issue I have had this month is deciding who I should apply for membership with and what shows to do!

Will write soon Kerry.