Turnout tips for horse & rider

[Gemma16]

Hi all, This year I am starting to show Taffy properly and am searching for as many tips as possible.
Es' site has given me much valuable advice but i'm loking for opinions also here.

First question is, Do you think i should wear a cream show shirt? I think it looks nice as it would match with my jods and also my blue and yellow spot tie. I have a tweed jacket if that helps.

Second question, Should i wear a matching scrunchie in my hair as i wear it in a bun with a hair net. The scrunchie is blue and yellow. It isn't very intrusive and doesn't make me look like an Xmas tree:D .

Now as for Taffy, Over winter i have left his mane to grow pretty long. Its in good condition and looks pretty nice, all the same length. Should i pull it a bit shorter it is about half way down his neck, forelock is just over over his eyes by about 2 inches. I know some judges don't like really long manes on section D's.

Should i clip his wiskers off on his muzzle and cut the hair inside his ears? I know they are meant to be in 'natural' condition but if that was true we'd al have mud covered horses at shows lol.

Ok I think thats enough for now. Thanks for any views:D

[Mehitabel]

thankyou for the kind words! i am expandign this weekend with what to do in the ring, so watch that space...
cream shirt is fine if it goes - i am unsure about the coloured scrunchie though; it's a bit 'pretty pony' for M&M. i wear a plain black one, most people wear plain coloured ones if they wear one.
leave his mane if it suits him, but pull it if his neck needs some help. welshes you can do either, so whatever suits him best. leave his ears - you can cut the tufty bits that stick out if you like, but i leave them. whiskers are also optional for welshes. in general, if you pull and trim, you take whiskers off, but if you are a bit more au naturel with flowing mane and feathers then you leave them.

[Gemma16]

Thanks Es I was thinking the sam about the scrunchie it was suggested by a show pony rider fiend of mine funnily enough.

His mane looks pretty good as his neck is huge as it is so doesn't detract any of the size. I don't really like taking the wiskers off so thank god its ok to leave them:D ;)

Cheers Es and i will be waiting with bated breath to see your ring tips:D

[galadriel]

Originally posted by Gemma16
show pony rider fiend

Now there's an interesting image...

[Mehitabel]

you haven't seen some of the show pony riders i know... ;)