Shiny Happy Horses

WIHS Top Turnout Clinic with Ruthann

Washington International Horse Show 2023's Barn Night Winner was Great Escape Stables in Bowie, Maryland.  Their prize was a Top Turnout Clinic and Hands-on Braiding Workshops with me, Ruthann Smith.

Here's a look at the weekend of  learning and fun...

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LEARN to Braid Like a Pro- SPRING SPECIAL

Do you want to learn a streamline formula for laying down consistently gorgeous braids, made quickly and comfortably? I teach..

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Tying Up & Yarn Matters For Braiding

 

The visual rhythm of uniform braids comes from a physical rhythm. So, normally I do one stage of the process at a time. That is: braid the ‪‎mane‬ down, pull it all up, finesse the bottomline then tie- lock ’em down. Doing one stage at a time lets you get a good rhythm and feel. Plus, it is easier to get the bottomline perfectly straight, which is the most important part of the ‪‎braid‬ job.

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Emiliano WINS

Emiliano just set horse Anton Radio Formula & rider Jaime Azcarraga up to WIN $1,000,000 at HITS. The groom once sold w/ legendary jumper Jet Run...

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Clinic Report: Learning to Connect

Chronicle of the Horse blogger Lily Foregger shares lessons from Ruthann's first in the Essentials of Sound Horsemanship Clinic Series...

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The Painted-On Look

Amanda Steege's Top Turnout

We call this the PAINTED-ON LOOK. People talk about numbers of braids. A great braider knows what's REALLY important is that the:

• Bottomline of the mane is perfectly straight.
• Mane braids are sized so they sit well on the neck.
• Cheat the angle so braids are longer toward the poll than the withers, and the neck looks rounder.
• Maintain a really uniform and/or gradual visual rhythm to the braids and they carry your eye down the neck.
• Braids are comfortable and sturdy. Braids that look painted-on won’t jiggle to distract the eye, nor go askew with scrubbing crest releases.

This is a topnotch braid job by Jeff Claxton, is yet another way Amanda Steege distinguishes herself and Ashmeadow Farm for *EXCELLENCE IN HORSEMANSHIP.* Consider this another Top Turnout Salute!

Braid like a pro

If you want to braid like this, lots of tips are posted in the Grooming Resource of this site.  Get the formula down and your manes can look like this every time.  I suspect this took about 35 minutes. Here's how to learn to braid like a pro.

Enjoy,
Ruthann

*This grey is SHINING IN THE DARK for Lucky Braids All-In-One Shampoo.

Grand Prix Riders' Braiding Advantage

“Horsewomen are always several notches above riders....”

                                                                            – Judy Richter 

Why braiding is important

Special Mention

Photo credit and THANKS to: Linda Umla. — with Norfield Stables LLC at the New Albany Classic