Whether it’s your first time out showing in a while or you’re a seasoned competitor, you can’t deny the importance of sending a clean and shiny horse into the show ring in any discipline. Some shows offer awards such as “Best Turned Out” for horses that are impeccably groomed, but even if the show doesn’t, you want to show off your stunning horse and have it look its best for any photo ops. Here are some tips on how to fully prepare your horse to look stunning ahead of and during competition day.

The Day Before:

1. Bathe from head to toe.

Gather your favorite bathing supplies and head to the wash rack. Dilute your soap with water so it’s not too harsh on the horse’s skin and use a sponge to apply soap all over the body. Then, use a curry comb or similar grooming device to scrub your horse’s entire body with the soap, being sure to really dig deep into the fur and get all the dirt and grime out. Once this step is complete, thoroughly rinse and make sure to get all the soap off, because it could irritate the skin. If your horse is particularly dirty, this step may need to be repeated.

2. Condition the mane and tail.

You’ll ideally want to be able to comb both the mane and tail before you show to give each one volume, so conditioning and detangling is crucial to avoid pulling out any hair. Lather in conditioner, then rinse thoroughly. Use a detangling spray and wait for the mane and tail to fully dry before you begin brushing. When brushing, start from the bottom to remove tangles and move your way up.

3. Don’t underestimate the power of whitening shampoo.

If you have a white or grey horse, whitening shampoo is your best friend. Start applying whitening shampoo to the top of the tail and work your way down, then lather the entire tail and scrub. Give it a good rinse and repeat until it’s bright white, which may even take several days of washing post-ride. Also use the whitening shampoo on white legs and other spots where stains may be deepest.

The Day Of:

1. Arrive early to allow time to clean.

Some horses sleep quite well at horse shows, which can make grooming a more difficult task as they are dirty from laying down all night. Be sure to show up well before your scheduled ride time in order to bathe your horse and get it sparkling. Bring plenty of fans so your horse can dry quickly at the show.

2. Spot clean if you have to.

Some horses don’t need a full bath on show days. If you’re lucky enough to have only a few minor spots of dirt on your horse, use a dry shampoo or spot cleaner to remove those before show time.

3. Monitor your horse as the day goes on.

If you bathe at six in the morning and don’t compete until four in the afternoon, there’s a good chance your horse may lay down for a quick nap and get dirty again. Don’t leave your horse alone all day and expect a clean horse when it’s show time. Check back in an hour before you expect to ride and make sure your cleaning efforts haven’t been squashed.

4. Polish and head to the show ring.

Once it’s time to show and you know your horse is clean, it’s time to begin polishing. Go over the whole body with a soft brush to make sure any dust from stall shavings is gone and all the hair is going in the proper direction. Spray some fly spray to avoid any fly-bite mishaps, comb the mane and tail, polish the hooves, and begin tacking up. Have someone be prepared with a rag at the ring to wipe away slobber or anything else that could cause stains when preparing to show.

Anyone who knows horses knows they always choose the most inopportune times to get dirty, so as riders and competitors we have to be prepared with the best products and best techniques for grooming and cleaning ahead of competitions. Leave a comment below with your go-to grooming products!

No matter your age, August typically means one thing: it’s back-to-school time. For high schoolers, the start of the academic year means you are inching closer to college. So now might be the time to start formulating a plan, especially if you want your future to involve riding at the collegiate level. Whether you are a full-time student, a parent of a student, or a close friend or relative of a student looking to potentially ride for an equestrian team in college, it can be unclear what the best steps are to secure a spot on one of the many teams at that level.

Here are some things you can do to proactively set yourself up to ride competitively in college.

1. Do your research.

It’s important to both college coaches and admissions officers that prospective students are passionate about attending their particular school. Be sure to adequately research the equestrian teams offered at each school and also look at the academic programs to make sure each college you’re looking into would be an all-around fit for you. Make a checklist of items you’re looking for in a school, such as proximity to home, an NCEA or IHSA team, and particular areas of study. Then start to form your list of schools that fit this checklist.

2. Introduce yourself.

Send an introductory email to coaches at the schools you would like to attend. You can find contact information for coaches on each college’s website for NCEA programs and on the IHSA website for IHSA programs.

Use this email to sell yourself. The coaches get lots of emails from students interested in their program. So take the time to set yourself apart with details such as where you are from, what high school you attend, your academic GPA, test scores (if applicable), and any accomplishments in and out of the arena. Also mention who you ride with and what you’re currently doing as a rider. If this list becomes too long, you can always attach a resume in addition to a well-crafted cover letter.

3. Make each note personal.

If you use the same template for every message you send, it may come across as robotic and insincere to someone who receives many inquiries from interested students. Do your research on the coach, the program, and the school itself. Then explain why you think it’s the right fit for you and why you could be an asset to their team. College scouts and coaches will always appreciate when students go the extra mile and do their research. This extra effort could help you stand out and impress a coach.

4. Create a YouTube channel featuring your top riding videos.

This footage can include both horse show rounds and schooling at home, showing off your capabilities as a rider and your strengths in the saddle. Video editing mastery is not required, but do make sure to use decent quality videos that showcase your riding skills. Be sure the camera is held as steady as possible if the footage is not taken professionally. Include a link to your YouTube channel in each email you send to a coach – perhaps in your email signature ­– so the coach can easily locate the videos when he or she needs to reference them.

5. Go to a camp or clinic offered by collegiate equestrian programs.

Not only is collegiate riding camp a great way to get in front of the coaches on college equestrian teams, but it will also give you a taste of collegiate riding and whether it is something you want to pursue. Coaches can see you ride their own program’s horses. So they will know, for example, if you can execute a round on a difficult horse. If you make the trip to camp, you should also plan an extra day to schedule a campus tour, which is highly valued when it comes to admissions decisions.

6. Enjoy the process!

Being recruited and choosing a college can be stressful. But it’s an important part of life so try to enjoy each step. Make fun weekends out of your visits. Get to know the other riders on the team, and try to make friends as you go. You never know who might end up as your teammate in the future, so take the time to get to know others as you are being recruited.

Everyone’s college search and application process is different. So take time to decide what really matters to you and make your journey unique. Special thanks to Ruth Sorrel for providing insight on how to get involved with collegiate riding programs. You can learn more about her work at sorreleqconsulting.com.

Written by Catherine Austen for the United States Eventing Association (USEA)

We know a lot about the athletes representing the USA on our Tokyo team, but what about those essential people, the grooms? Catherine Austen finds out more about Courtney Carson, Emma Ford, Bridget London, and Steph Simpson in this edition of Tokyo Talk.

Courtney Carson, Groom for Doug Payne. USEA/Claire Kelley Photo

Courtney Carson, groom for Vandiver and Doug Payne

Where are you from, and how did you get into horses?

“I was born in St Louis, Missouri, and grew up in Southern Illinois. My mom got me into horses as a young girl – she’d always wanted to have horses growing up.

How did you get your current job?

I was trying to find a real “big kid” job and decided I really liked the grooming – I just hadn’t found the right situation, and Doug and Jessica [Payne] happened to be looking, so I just sent them an email.

What are the best things about your job?

It’s the little things I love – yes, being competitive at the big events is great, but it’s the little things, like the young horses having a good experience at their first event, it’s our working students having the great show jumping round they’ve been looking for. It’s watching my five-star horse nailing all four changes in a test. It doesn’t have to be winning a five-star; it’s the day-to-day things you don’t really think about.

What’s “Quinn” like?

He is a really interesting horse. He’s picky about his food – sometimes he wants to eat his hay out of a haynet, sometimes he wants to eat it off the ground, some days he only wants grass. He’s a bit particular that way, but he’s 17, and he’s done the job for a long time, so he’s allowed to be that way. Honestly, he’s an old soul and the most genuine horse you could ever meet. You could hack him around on the buckle or gallop around a five-star.

What are your expectations of Tokyo – and your hopes?

It’s going to be really, really hot!

My expectations personally are to enjoy the moment because it’s what everyone dreams about, and if you had told 10-year-old me, or even 25-year-old me a year ago, that I’d be going to the Olympics, I’d have laughed and told you you weren’t telling the truth.

I would like to have a sound, healthy horse at the end of it who has hopefully finished in good standing, and for Team USA to bring home three really good solid results would be huge. I think that’s possible – we have the team to do it. I’m looking forward to it!

Emma Ford, groom for Phillip Dutton. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo

Emma Ford, groom for Z and Phillip Dutton

Where are you from, and how did you get into horses?

I grew up in North Devon in southwest England, and I was pretty much on a horse in the womb. My whole family rode, so I really have been involved with horses from birth. I grew up on a farm, so in the summer, my dad would set up the straw bales when they were baling for me to jump bareback on my pony while Mum and Dad were having a picnic. I always feel we were so lucky and so fortunate. We certainly didn’t have money, and I used to get all the free ponies. It was a running joke that I’d always fall off once a week and how much ground I ‘bought.’ I will never forget those summers – they were perfect.

How did you get your current job?

Basically, it was a bit of a no-brainer. I worked for a lady in Massachusetts – I worked for her for seven years; we came up through the sport together. When I started, she had Preliminary horses, and by the time we finished, she had a string of 12 horses and was riding at Advanced. I flew horses over to England to compete at Blenheim for her, and after that trip, I thought, ‘I want to do this full-time, be on the team, and this is the way I’m going to do it.’ Two years later, the job opened up with Phillip, and it was a bit of a no-brainer to take the position.

What’s Z like?

I’ve been with Z since he’s been with Phillip. We’ve had him since the beginning of his 7-year-old year. He did Preliminary and was ready to move up to Intermediate, and he actually came to me as a very ‘internal’ horse – he would stand at the back of the stall and hated being turned out. And so I worked a lot with him on just getting him used to people and to have people around him. It wasn’t that he was nervous around people or anything; he just never interacted with them.

I think over the years, he’s really turned into quite the personality – when you’re grooming him and when he has his massage, he tells you exactly where he wants you to press a little harder or back off. He loves having people around him, and he loves photographs. We’ve turned him into a horse who wants to be out 24/7 now, and he really wants to please; he tries very hard for Phillip. He wants to understand his job, and he does – ultimately, he loves his job.

What are your expectations of Tokyo – and your hopes?

I’m rather looking forward to the horse flight, actually, because I won’t be on a plane of 350 people! Obviously, this year is a very different year, but I know nothing of Japan, and I think that will be very interesting.

We all are going to be very careful with and aware of the humidity for the horses. Ultimately we need little luck on our side, and hopefully, the horses will produce the best results they can.

Steph Simpson, groom for Boyd Martin. USEA/Claire Kelley Photo

Steph Simpson, groom for Tsetserleg and Boyd Martin

Where are you from, and how did you get into horses?

I grew up in a really tiny town in Vermont on a dairy farm, so I never really did horses as a child. I became interested in them through friends and family and then did animal science in college and decided I wanted to be a working student or groom. The riding didn’t actually start until I was 18, but then had lessons and evented at a low level.

How did you get your current job?

I actually groomed for another Australian in the area, Dom Schramm, and then Boyd called me one day and asked me if I wanted the job. I was freelancing at the time, so that was that.

What do you enjoy most about it?

I enjoy getting to know all the different horses and their personalities. I obviously spend a lot of time with them, so getting to know each one and their quirks and their little weird characteristics is fun for me.

What’s “Thomas” like?

Well, Thomas is the love of my life! He’s good – he’s quirky, though. He doesn’t let other people touch his face – he does let me now, though, after three years of trying. He’s just a quirky guy; he’s very curious, he wants to know what’s going on all the time, on his terms.

What are your expectations of Tokyo – and your hopes?

I think we’ve been prepared really well for the heat, but I think there are a lot of variables. Luckily, this is not my first trip abroad, so I know what to expect as far as transporting horses, and the logistics of that are concerned. However, especially with Covid, none of us really know what’s going to happen. If you work at an upper-level place, you want to go to the top of the sport. Luckily for me, Boyd’s a very competitive person, and so am I. So, I’m really lucky that I get to be at the Olympics and experience that vibe.

Bridget London, groom for Tamie Smith. USEA/Claire Kelley Photo

Bridget London, groom for Mai Baum and Tamie Smith

Bridget London, the groom for traveling reserve Tamie Smith’s Mai Baum, recently became a real estate agent in the Seattle area after working for Smith for several years. When Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp had to withdraw from contention, Smith stepped into the role of traveling reserve and asked London to come along for the ride.

“Grooming is not just brushing, I know a lot of people think that. It’s tacking the horse, bathing, braiding, walking, feeding, and managing just about everything the horse does,” London told K5 News in a recent interview. She continued, “I won’t be the one personally competing. I am pretty excited to be a part of it in any way that I can. I’ve been close with Tamie for a while now and I’m so excited for her. I know they will do great.”

We wish all of these hardworking grooms a safe and successful Olympics. Your hard work does not go unnoticed!

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

We are just a few days away from the much awaited 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The United States is fortunate to have four equestrian teams representing the country in Tokyo, including an eventing, dressage, show jumping, and para dressage team.

The teams have taken the necessary steps to arrive in Tokyo through mandated pre-quarantine processes due to COVID-19 protocols. The dressage team has arrived in Tokyo as they prepare to begin competition this Saturday. The eventing team completed their pre-quarantine in Aachen, Germany, trailered to Belgium, then took flight to Tokyo. And the jumping team is beginning preparations for their trip to Japan as well. Let’s take a look at who will be representing the United States in the upcoming weeks and how to watch these teams from home. See the full schedule via the USET Foundation here.

Dressage

Adrienne Lyle and Salvino, Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper, and Sabine Schut-Kery and Sanceo were selected to represent the United States in Tokyo. Nick Wagman and Don John are the traveling reserve for the dressage team. The team is led by Chef d’Equipe Debbie McDonald and Team Leader Hallye Griffin.

Dressage at the Olympic Games will take place from July 24-28 through multiple Grand Prix team and individual events.

• July 24: Dressage Grand Prix Team and Individual 4 a.m. EDT
• July 25: Dressage Grand Prix Team and Individual 4 a.m. EDT
• July 27: Dressage Team Grand Prix Special 4 a.m. EDT
• July 28: Dressage Individual Grand Prix Freestyle 4:30 a.m. EDT

Dressage grooms headed to Tokyo are Morgan Kligensmith (Salvino), Eddie Garcia (Suppenkasper), Christis Erickson (Sanceo), Jose Alaniz (Don John).

Eventing

Boyd Martin and Tseterleg, Phillip Dutton and Z, Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z were the original eventing team to be selected. But after the mandatory outing at Great Meadows in Virginia, Halliday-Sharp decided to withdraw Deniro Z from the lineup after consulting with the team vets. Doug Payne and Vandiver stepped up to fill their spot and Tamie Smith and Mai Baum were named as the traveling reserve.

The team is led by Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander and Team Leader Jenni Autry.

• July 29: Eventing Dressage Session 1 Team and Individual 7:30 p.m. EDT
• July 30: Eventing Dressage Session 2 Team and Individual 4:30 a.m. EDT, Eventing Dressage Sess. 3 Team and Individual 7:30 p.m. EDT
• July 31: Eventing Cross-Country Team and Individual 6:45 a.m. EDT
• August 1: Replay Team and Individual Eventing, Cross Country 1:30 p.m. EDT
• August 2: Eventing Jumping Team and Individual 4 a.m. EDT

Eventing grooms for the team in Tokyo are Stephanie Simpson (Tseterleg), Emma Ford (Z), Courtney Carson (Vandiver), and Bridget London (Mai Baum).

Show Jumping

McLain Ward and Contagious, Laura Kraut and Baloutinue, Kent Farrington and Gazelle, and Jessica Springsteen and Don Juan van de Donkhoeve are the athletes selected for the jumping team. One pair will be named the traveling reserve.

Leading the team is Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland and Team Leader Lizzy Chesson. Two alternates will join the team in the event one of the athletes needs to withdraw, which are Brian Moggre and Lucy Deslauriers.

• August 3: Jumping Individual Qualifier Individual Jumping 6 a.m. EDT
• August 4: Jumping Individual Qualifier Individual Jumping 6 a.m. EDT, Replay Individual Jumping Final 11:45 p.m. EDT
• August 6: Jumping Team Qualifier Team Jumping 6 a.m. EDT, Replay Team Jumping Qualifying 2:45 p.m. EDT
• August 7: Jumping Team Final Team Jumping 6 a.m. EDT

Show Jumping grooms traveling with the team are Denise Moriarty (Gazelle), Margo Thomas (Baloutinue), Josie Eliasson (Don Juan), and Virginie Casterman (Contagius)

Paralympic Dressage

Beatrice de Lavalette and Clarc, Rebecca Hart and El Corona Texel, Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40, and Roxanne Trunnell and Dolton will be representing Team USA. Two other combinations were nominated as team alternates: Sydney Collier and All in One, and Charlotte Merle-Smith and Guata.

Following the individual tests on August 27 at the Paralympic Games, three combinations will be selected to compete in the team competition.

The Paralympic equestrian competition is set to take place August 28-30 at the Equestrian Park venue in Tokyo, Japan.

It’s going to be an exciting few weeks of Olympic competition and we’ve been waiting five years for it, so be sure you know when your favorite athletes are competing so you can tune in and watch! BarnManager wishes the best of luck to all athletes across all disciplines competing at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Para Dressage grooms traveling with to Tokyo include Megan Ann Tye (Clarc), Kjersten Lance (El Corona Texel), Alexus Sisley (Solitaer 40), and Angela Baugh (Dolton).

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

As summer kicks into high gear around the country, many states are seeing the highest temperatures of the year. While it’s important to consider how to keep our horses cool, we can also keep ourselves prepared with some must-haves that help riders beat the heat. Check out these popular items and snag them while you can to make sure you stay one step ahead of the weather while you’re out riding and showing all summer.

1. Simple Modern Water Bottle

It is a fact that it’s more fun to drink water out of a pretty bottle. Simple Modern has you covered with its 32-ounce bottles that keep you hydrated and are nice to look at. You also won’t have to return to the water cooler quite as often, so you can fill up and take it on the go.

2. Ventilated Shirts

A hidden gem that the horse world gets to enjoy, these shirts help keep riders cool with the vents along the underside of the sleeves while also protecting skin from the sun. They’re made with such lightweight material that you often can’t even tell you’re wearing long sleeves in the dead of summer. And don’t worry about that farmer’s tan because these shirts have full coverage from the top of your neck to the ends of your arms.

3. SuperGoop Unseen Sunscreen

The internet is raving about this sunscreen, and for a good reason. The goop-like gel goes on smoothly and is invisible; it leaves your skin slightly dewy but comfortable. You won’t even know it’s on after you apply it, but the SPF 40 will protect your face from the sun rays for hours. This sunscreen comes in a conveniently small bottle, so no one has an excuse to not carry it everywhere over the summer.

4. Sunhat

A wide-brimmed sunhat is a crucial item for anyone who spends long hours in the sun at horse shows or at the barn. They come with fun detailing or simple and plain to match any outfit. The best sun protection is a great hat!

5. Ventilated Riding Gloves

Several brands make lighter-weight gloves specifically for summer riding, and they can be life savers for your hands during the hottest months. Be sure to wash them frequently to keep them fresh, but your hands will appreciate the lighter layer on top while still being just as effective holding the reins.

6. Cooling Towel

We’ve all seen them: the lightweight towels that get colder when they’re wet and keep us cool when we’re riding in the heat. These are great to have on hand for severe heat relief when you can’t go to an air-conditioned space to cool off. Bring one to a horse show or keep one handy for after lessons and you will get the heat relief you need in a pinch.

7. Helmet Visor

Sometimes helmet brims don’t cover your entire face, so make sure you don’t end up with a sunburned chin or lips by investing in sun protection while you ride. You can get various colors and fabrics, or stick with the classic black to match your helmet. This will also help keep the sun out of your eyes if you ride early in the morning or in the evening, when the sun is lower in the sky.

8. Popsicles in the Freezer!

Popsicles are the obvious favorite barn snack in the summer. You can even treat your horse to a bite if you had a particularly good ride. Treat yourself after you both worked hard through the heat!

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!