28/08/2026
With Show day fast approaching, we thought it would be helpful to share some hints and tips to help you dazzle in the ring.
1. Leave enough time to prepare
Show prep normally starts in advance of the show. If you need to clip, this should be completed a few days before so you have time to tidy up any bits missed.
Similar, don't leave mane or tail tidying until the night before as this will increase your jobs to be done and take some enjoyment out of the event.
2. Remove dirt from your horses coat
A clean horse is noticeable and can really make you stand out. Bathing helps to clear the grease of the coat and helps to achieve a shiny coat.
If you are lucky to have a warm shower, this will make the job easier, however a cold hose will give good results with the right products.
For horses with feathers, the preparation is slightly more involved and may require a second shampoo, ideally with a purple shampoo to bring the white to the legs.
3. Deep clean tack
Often overlooked, a judge can tell if you have taken the time to cleanse and condition your tack.
This can be the difference between a placing and missing out in classes such as best turned out. You and your horse must be tidy and look the part.
4. Complete as many jobs the day before, to free up time on show day
Pack the trailer/lorry with your outfit, tack, spare head collar, water container, water bucket, haynets and treats.
If you need your grooming kit in the morning, make sure the brushes are clean so you groom your clean horse with clean brushes.
If you can trust your four legged friend to stay tidy, plait their mane and tail. Often these can quickly be rolled up the morning of the show for the final look.
Pack some snacks and drinks ready for you to enjoy during the show, often we forget to eat or are too nervous, so pack things that are easy to snack on.
5. To plait or not to plait
Your horse/pony type and the classes you are entering, will dictate if you need to plait.
As a rule of thumb, finer breeds should be plaited, this includes Hunters and Hacks.
Tail plaits can really finish the turnout beautifully, if not a smartly pulled tail will suffice.
Cobs should be hogged or plaited for classes to show their conformation correctly.
For any native sorts, including Mountain and Moorlands, these should be left natural. With the aim to show the abundance of mane and tail in free flowing form.
Youngstock should be prepared according to their type, so you may end up in a class with different approaches.
For lead rein, first ridden, best turned out - these all should have the horse/pony plaited.
For plaits in the mane, the number is always uneven (7, 9, 11 or 13) with the forelock creating an even number.
6. The morning of the show
Be prepared that your furry friend has enjoyed rolling in p**p or grass overnight and will need spot cleaning in the morning.
Avoid your final grooming prep until you get to the venue as they can get dirty on the journey and will need grooming when you arrive.
Finally, enjoy the preparation process as this is part of the fun of the event and be sure to take lots of pictures.
Even better, Alison Parker Photography will be there to capture your hard work in it’s full glory.
