CLASSIC FORMAT

HOW TO PRESENT FOR INSPECTIONS AT CLASSIC THREE-DAY EVENTS

by courtney young BY COURTNEY YOUNG

Presenting yourself and your horse appropriately at a Novice or Training Three-Day jog is just as important as for the horse inspections at major in- ternational events. Turn- out professional Courtney Young got the scoop from star riders and amateur long-format enthusiasts alike on how to make the best impression on the C Ground Jury at a Smart- pak Equine USEA Clas- sic Series competition.

hree-day event preparedness is no small feat. Conditioning is likely at the top of your list, not to mention T the logistics of qualifying and getting to the event itself with a happy, sound horse. The sneaking fear of learning your dressage test only to turn the wrong way after you trot down the centerline is something for which you find you are in good company. And what with cleaning tack and then waving your magic grooming wand to turn

Hope Nicyper-Meryman and your horse from a furry love-muffin into a gleaming specimen Optical Illusion jogging up of event horse, you have already got your hands full. Yet, in for the Preliminary Three-Day order to put your best foot forward, you are going to have to Event at the 2011 Virginia Horse Trials. leslie mintz/usea photo present your horse to the Ground Jury, and that means you will be presenting yourself as well.

24 EVENTING USA I ISSUE SEVEN | 2013 good first impression on the Ground COMPLEMENTING YOUR Jury at the jog. “It’s always important HORSE AND GOOD FIRST that the first impression is a good one IMPRESSIONS when you meet the judges because PRODUCT Lynn Symansky, winner of the Zeppa the next day they’ll be scoring you International Trophy for best turned in dressage. You want an impressive TIPS: out at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day look—avoid wearing sneakers with Event this year, notes that her holes in them and jeans with tears in horse, Donner, “is a stunning classic them! It’s hard to imagine an elegant , and he’s a brown dressage performance the following • Blu-Kote: If you are paper bag. I wanted something that day [after that].” Throwing in a trying to make your was simple but also stood out. I found personal connection he recommends, grey horse shine colors that complemented him without “At some of those three-day events (and get rid of those yellow stains once being too busy.” there’s an international judge, so as and for all), Lynn by courtney young That is a balancing act she pulled you present your horse, a ‘bonjour’ or recommends using a off impeccably at the Sunday jogs prior ‘guten morgen’ can earn an extra mark few drops in a bucket to show jumping with the coral and the following day.” of and dunking navy color palette and preppy stripes. Don’t forget to add a winning the tail in after it has Complementing your horse, whether smile to your respectful greeting of been washed. Be sure he is a “brown paper bag” or something the Ground Jury. “It starts you out not to use too much, with lots of flash and chrome, is a on the right foot,” Lynn says. “If you however, or you’ll end common thread among riders. have something that stands out and up with a purple tail. Twenty-five-year-old Lara Chance, complements your horse I think they Go for the brilliant won best turned out at the 2011 take in the whole picture.” silver sheen instead. Waredaca Training Three-Day Event, As the riders above have noted, and • Fiebling’s Hoof where she and her horse Lady in Red as is so commonly discussed, what you Polish: Lara Chance ultimately finished fifth. “I always try are really at the jogs to do is to show points out that hoof to match my outfit to the color of my off your horse. This starts not just polish is extremely horse. My was a little chestnut hours or days before the jog itself but, important and one of with white legs—I didn’t want to be as Lynn notes, far in advance. “Your the last things you do too bright or colorful so I wore a dark horse should be the appropriate weight before you go down green and dark grey dress. It was and the coat [should be] shiny through the jog strip. She plain but brought out her coloring. .” That highlights relies on Fiebling’s for What you wear should complement not only your horse’s nutrition but also the best shine. your horse and add to them. That’s your conditioning work. • Andis AGC Super 2 what you’re there for.” As an expert on horse Speed Clipper: Keep It is not just about showing off your management with grey thanks your horse’s horse to their best advantage. It is also to her Advanced horse No It Tissant, path, ears, and muzzle about standing out from the crowd. Lynn also offers excellent grey- clipped, neat, and tidy That is where the balancing act comes horse-tips: “If you have a grey horse, with Lynn’s favorite in. Boyd Martin, best dressed male bathing them every day a few days clipper. and winner of a new pair of Dubarry in advance makes a big difference. It boots at Rolex this year, reflects (not gets the yellow out of the tail, hocks, To see a list of without some cheek), “I really do think and knees. I do a regular bath and Beginner Novice, it’s important to be memorable in the then use Blu-Kote. Put in a few drops Novice, Training, and jog up turnout. So if you’re feeling bold, in a bucket and then dunk the tail in Preliminary level Three-Day Events and always go for something that stands the bucket. Be careful not to put in too for more information on out from the rest of your competitors. much or it will turn the tail purple!” the Smartpak Equine Maybe when you do that, find a picture Lynn also offers some nuanced USEA Classic Series, of Ralph Hill [wearing] orange socks ideas about clipping: “In terms of visit www.useventing. or an American flag suit. Will Faudree clipping, make sure their coat looks com/programs/classic. is always wearing purple pants or appropriate. I would not advise something like that.” clipping a day or two before the jogs as Despite his humor, however, Boyd they can get a knick that can turn into knows the importance of making a cellulitis. Clip about a week out. Also

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In addition to a shiny, healthy, well-groomed horse, a meticulously braided mane (left, hannah bennett photo) and quarter marks (right, leslie threlkeld photo) go a long way in adding that extra sparkle to your turnout. look at what the weather is going to be. If you have a horse with fly spray and a sheepskin mitt to get all the dust off that is tight in cold weather you might want to keep their and that gives them an extra sheen. I will put baby powder coat, unless they’re shaggy. Conversely, if they get hot in on my horse’s legs if they’re white to make them look warm weather perhaps clip about a week out so they’re whiter.” Additionally, if the horse has any knicks or scars more comfortable for the three-day.” on its legs, try to make them less visible if at all possible using a non-toxic white, black, or brown colored spray. TURNING OUT A JOG-READY HORSE “Just be careful because it does stain and it is really hard to After you have mastered the perfect balance of get it off!” complementing your horse with your own turnout and You might think you are almost done once you have making a positive impression on the Ground Jury, it is your outfit picked out and your horse looking shiny and time to turn our attention to what is, after all, our main blemish-free, but there are still details to attend to in order focus—your horse. to make the best presentation at a three-day. Lara lets us in on some of her tips and secrets: “The “A good braiding job goes a very long way,” according biggest trick that I’ve learned is that I use a lot of Vetrolin to Lynn. “I had Max Corcoran braid for me at [Rolex] Shine to make their tails look shiny... I use baby oil on their Kentucky, who is a master braider. Practice that skill—it’s nose, ears, and also on the reins by the . I wipe them off like an updo trial before a wedding.”

26 EVENTING USA I ISSUE SEVEN | 2013 Be mindful also that different stressful right at the last minute. horses look nicer with different types Have everything set out early for of braids. “The number of braids you clothes, products, etc.” Once Lara put on your horse should depend on is ready she puts everything in a its build,” Lara points out. “If you backpack that she takes with her to have a big horse, having fifty small the jog. “Hands free!” braids won’t look as good. My horse It is also ideal to have someone was little and lean so she had about 25 with you to help you get ready. “I small braids. It’s important to braid the would have a helper with you that whole mane all the way down.” either is walking your horse for you so As you work out jog preparation you can stay clean or can do the final for yourself and your horse, consider touch up before you jog,” Lynn says. also specific choices related to tack She also recommends that they have a and additional flair. Should your grooming bag with supplies including bridle be black or brown? What kind Showsheen, a tail brush, fly spray, of cavesson should or could be used? shine spray, rag, et cetera. Lynn tackles these questions directly: Boyd also reminds us that, “when “People jog in flash or figure eight you’re at the trot-up it can be a little bit nosebands, but I like the classic, of a wait. If you have a helper they can plain cavesson. You can get cheap always have a bit of shine spray to give cavessons and put them on for the the last polish to your horse. Be sure jog with a plain snaffle. No rubber to get your wife or mom to sweep off bits for the jog. I ride [Donner] in a any dandruff that may have fallen on Happy Mouth for dressage but use a your coat or any horse slobber on a coat plain snaffle for jog. I also think about pocket as that can be a rough start to color of tack: brown or black.” your introduction to the judges.” When it comes to quarter marks After spending all that time there are two main camps: for and getting rid of dirt, don’t attract more against. But it seems most everyone by slathering on wet hoof polish is in agreement that some horses look before approaching the judges. After great with unique brush patterns on Donner is clean and ready, Lynn their hindquarters, but if they cannot applies hoof polish to his twinkle toes be done right they should not be done at and then wipes it off to avoid dirt all. “You should only do [quarter marks] clinging to the goo. if you can do them well, and they have Finally, be sure to think through, to be even on both sides,” Lara says. once again, the weather and your Boyd puts himself in the “pro” camp horse’s comfort. As Lynn points out, of quarter marks. “Don’t be shy to use “In terms of weather you want the a bit of flair with fancy quarter marks horse to be as warm as possible when or sparkly spray in mane and forelock. you are jogging. So if it’s cool at all, You want them extremely well- have a nice-looking cooler on that’s groomed and looking their best to let clean. I keep it on until a few horses the judges and competitors know that out and pull it right before I go.” you’re there and you mean business.” There is a lot to consider for what amounts to a few moments down a 3, 2, 1... JOG jog lane with your horse. Lara puts In the moments before you jog the focus, ultimately, exactly where it your horse down the strip you have should be: “Relax and have fun—the handled all the preparations and sport is supposed to be fun. Especially weighed the heavy philosophical at the Novice and Training levels the questions about quarter marks, Jury is great about interacting with but there are a few last minute [you]. Remember to smile and enjoy it preparations still to consider. Lara because it’s about enjoying your time acknowledges that it is ideal to be with your horse, your partnership, and “ready early so it doesn’t seem so your relationship.”

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