|
|
WITH THE SUMMER show season right around the corner, it's time to start practicing your braiding skills to be ready for the first important show (for those whose discipline require braids).
For dressage riders, the first show is March 13 at Cedar Run Equestrian Center; for foxhunters the Commonwealth Foxhounds Hunter Pace is April 3 at Cedar Hill. Local show hunter riders' first show is at Lake of the Woods on April 4.
While many people do not bother to braid for local shows, you might want to practice, since Rose Mount Farm's Spring A-rated hunter show is April 15-18, 2004, and you'll have to braid for that.
It is easier to braid a mane that has not been freshly washed. Wash the mane a week before the show if it is very dusty. Clean manes are very slippery and hard to hold for making a tight braid.
Braiding slowly is not always the secret for a tight braid. Swift, rhythmic braiding with the same tension on each strand of braid produces the tightest braids. Braids should be equal in size and about -inch wide. The bottom of the folded edges of all the braids should create an almost straight line.
This means if your horse has that dip just in front of the withers, the braids in the dip should be longer to achieve the smooth look. Another trick to producing a clean, straight line is to make the braids at the poll a little longer than the others.
Wet the mane and comb it over so it lays as flat as it can and the hair is well organized. Periodically wet the mane, comb and smooth stray wisps with your fingers.
Straight parts between each braid help create a uniform appearance and keep the braids from pulling to the side. You should start with the same strand each time you start a braid, so each braid will look just alike.
While braiding, keep a steady downward pull on the braid, but pull each strand horizonally each time you braid that piece into its place to tighten it. After braiding half of each braid, add the yarn. Put the fold, 18-inch-long piece of yarn behind the braid so that you can continue braiding while picking up one piece of yarn on the left and one on the right.
Knot the braid one inch from the end. When you fold and pull the braid up, pull the knot into the crest just above the hairline. You should feel the knot pop into place. Do not lift the braid away from the neck, or your braids will not lay snugly, flat against the neck. By pulling the braid upward away from the neck you pull loose the fine hairs that pull downward and inward under the mane.
Pull the two yarn strands through the top of the unbraided crest of the mane, separate them and draw them under the braid. Cross them under the braid and come back up to the front of the braid. Here you can tie a double knot, or if you do not like the look of yarn ends, cross the strands of yarn over the front of the braid and tie it off at the back of the braid (being careful not to lift the braid away from the neck).
Cut the yarn ends off to about of an inch. Be careful to pull the yarn through the middle of the top of the braid or it will pull to the side. Also, be sure to pull each strand of yarn equally taut or that, too, will cause the braid to pull to the side.
Calendar
March 4-7: Sixth Annual Intermont Classic
March 6: TWA jumper show, Hazelwild
March 7: TWA hunters at Hazelwild
March 12-13: United Professional Horsemen's Association Chap. 18 Spring Saddle Seat Clinic, VHC
March 12-14: The Barracks March show, hunters A-rated
March 13: CDCTA Dressage at Cedar Run (first summer show)
March 13-14: Dressage Clinic with Rebecca Langworst at Wood U Far, Spotsylvania; Mountain Horse Shows, VHC
March 14: Spring Fling Dressage at Leesburg
March 18-21: Spring Breakout American Quarter Horse show, VHC
March 19-21: Equine Event East, exposition at VHC, Lexington
March 20: TWA hunters at Cedar Run; Sweet Briar College Spring Horse show.
March 21: TWA jumpers at Cedar Run; Maury River Spring Hunter pace, VHC
BETSY CARTER can be reached at The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401 or by fax at 373-8455.