Jakeira Polo Team - Printondemand-worldwide Cup

Afternoon, now that my brain is finally functioning on more than about 50% capacity now I've had some porridge I thought i'd write my blog post about the weekend.

Where to start really, so much happened this weekend! After a weekend of showing last weekend it was back to hanging out with my buddies in Jakeira for a weekend of partying and polo down at Silver Leys Polo Club in Bishop Stortford. I've not been there before so I was looking forward to seeing what it was like and meeting it's members.

Luckily the weather this weekend didn't disappoint as it was scorching hot and very sunny. With an afternoon match planned it meant a lay in and spent my morning packing and sorting things out ready to go.
Good old Mum and Dad lent me their tent, air mattress, pump and kitchen sink. Oh wait, no kitchen sink but they may as well have after all I borrowed, thank you to them!
The tent is pretty cool and is a large 4 person space with a bedroom compartment each end and a bit of living space in the middle, and personally I like it as it's nice and roomy!

Like a small annex really.. Sort of...

So after putting the tent up we got the horses ready for their first match. They hadn't played against this team before so it was going to be interesting to see how everyone fared.
The match kicked off and it soon became apparent it was going to a scrappy sort of match rather than fast and wide open. By that I mean the ball spends half it's time under the ponies legs rather than being hit long and fast. These matches can be a little frustrating for players as it's hard fishing a ball from under your or someone else's pony.
Alas the team did what they could to open up the game and with the 7 minutes per chukka whizzed by and each one more and more goals were racking up, it became apparent that Jakeira we're going to be the winners, so with the final whistle Jakeira came away victorious 7 goals to 1 against the Wycombe Wonderers .

50 Shades of Grey?

It was a wonderful result after an off weekend the weekend before and I think confidences we're rebooted and everyone glad to be back on form. The ponies were washed down, equipment packed away ready for the next days match and ponies taken to their paddock for the night to settle in.
With everything sorted we could have a drink and get ready for the party, which had already started by the time we got there!
Everyone absolutely starving were straight to the hog roast for a bun and some yummy roasted pork! Delicious! Thank you for having us Richard!

I won't go into the shenanigans of the night, but after a pretty good, if not absolutely arctic, nights sleep I woke to bright sunshine and what felt like I was actually cooking it was so hot in the tent. Freezing at night boiling in the morning, what's up with that? So much for a lay in! But now everyone being awake in the morning sunlight the day was started nursing sore heads, taking some pain killers and heading off to the nearest cafe for a fry up! I've not had one in literally about 2 years so it was so good!

Everyone's bellies now full of yummy fried breakfast we made our way back to Silver Leys for a morning of watching the polo in the sun, and how it was glorious!
Well done to all the other teams who played, it was really enjoyable watching some wonderful fast polo.

Minutes ticked by and in no time it was nearing time for Jakeira to play their finals match to see who would win the Printondemand-worldwide plate.
The ponies now were well rested and with full bellies were bought in and brushed, bandaged and tacked up, they did look rather smart as usual don't you think?

2.45 pm was the time of the match so the team made their way out on the pitch for a little team talk before the whistle blew to commence the match. 
After the previous says scrappy 'tip tap' back and forth game it was nice to see that this was not going to be like that and Jakeira and the printondemand juniors were make it a great fast moving match with lots to watch while on the edge of your seat. Or like me if you prefer to stand, who can't sit down from nerves and anticipation!
Much to the credit of the the printondemand juniors who played really well, trying so hard to keep Jakeira away from the goal posts but alas couldn't as when then final whistle blew Jakeira they walked away from the match the winners 7 goals to 2.

Go Francis and Elvis go! Hot on his heels being chased by Marcus Cork

Maybe 7 is their lucky number this weekend?

It was nice to see everyone stick around for prize giving and having a good chat about their matches and how they enjoyed the day. Good to see! 
With the day now getting late and everything already packed away earlier it was time to load up the horses and take them home after a very tiring weekend -  they deserved it.
The sun drained everyone yesterday, so getting home and into a cold shower felt glorious!

Thank you everyone at Silver Leys for being so nice and welcoming, hopefully we'll be back soon. Thank you as ever to Carl and Jo for having me along, I always enjoy it! And for Francis, Emma, Emily and Steph just because! 
Again well done to everyone who played this weekend, you all did amazingly!

Until next time... Sophie x

Coronation Cup At Guards Polo Club

It's been a while since my last entry, so where to begin really..i'm not even sure if I want to relive my Saturday morning!

I woke up all excited to be taking my first proper trip to Guards to watch the Coronation Cup no less. All was going smoothly until I got to Steph's and was promptly muddy paw printed by Marley! Not that I was angry at all, she was just so excited to see me but I now had two brown paw prints on an otherwise very white top. Thankfully I am an over packer and had put a spare top in in case it got hot that afternoon. Apparently it pays to be prepared people!

Running slightly late we set off and hoped to stop briefly at my parents to pick up a cake my lovely mother had made (she really does make the best cakes though) only to get stuck in traffic getting there and leaving! "Never mind" I thought, we were through so lets get on the motorway and get going! Well that didn't happen...

Not 5 minutes onto the motorway and we got stuck in traffic again. Traffic was going to be theme of our day it would seem.. So we sat and crawled along waiting for the road to clear and pick up some speed, and luckily after a short while we were moving again and made it down to the M25, only to get half way there and get stuck in.. more traffic! 
Well I won't go on about how long we spent sitting about but we finally got to Guards at 2.30pm!

It really was a relief to finally get to Guards and drive through the lovely scenery. After a brief faff we found Carl and the Harris' and sat down to a lovely picnic very kindly organised by Joanna! Thanks so much Jo, you're a star!

After filling up with food and drink we made our way to the South Grandstand to find our seats and get comfortable for the England vs South America match to see who would win the Coronation Cup!
From my understanding, England hadn't won the cup in quite some time so I was intrigued to see how England would fair. Plus it was the first time I've watched high goal polo in person so was really quite excited to see how different it was to what I had got used to.

The sun came out, the pitch was a spotless green sea of perfectly cut grass and just looked amazing. A wonderful band played the national anthem while all spectators were asked to stand in respect. The players then came out and were announced over the commentary loud speakers to a lot of applause from the crowd!
The horses looked amazing, the players in the top equipment and we're raring to go.

Unlike low and medium goal matches these high goal matches were 6 chukkas long and not 4 but still remaind 7 minutes long and boy were they quick! 
The players often change horses every 3 or 4 minutes per chukka onto a fresh horse they're that fast paced. You'll see this from the photos below of these gorgeous horses stretching while going flat out!

England were off to a storming lead within the 1st chukka with 2 goals to South Americas 0 so that was encouraging.
After the 3rd chukka England had extended their lead even more so, when the buzzer went to signify the end of the chukka and everyone was invited onto the pitch to tread in the divots, as per tradition. 
After a minute or two Lucy and Emily were approached by a camera crew to do an interview. Somehow I got thrust in front of the camera to 'wing it' and be filmed answering questions about my day!
I answering some questions about who I was there with - to which I replied my friends and their team, so was bombarded with questions about where Jakeira are based and what we'd been up to! As casually as I could muster I answered their questions and after thanking me I could make my way back to my seat without saying the wrong thing. Apparently it'll be on the La Martina website but that remains to be seen!

Fourth Chukkas started and England were back with renewed vigor, and scored another lot of goals bringing their lead even higher. The further 2 chukkas whizzed by and South America just didn't seem on form being unable to put t he ball between the goal posts. They were subsequently beaten by England 10 goals to their 6. England cantered off to roars from the crowd and a long round of applause. It was nice to see England win at my first ever trip to Guards!

I must say how nice it was to have lot's of information and attention drawn to the Retrained Racehorses that were now high goal polo ponies and showing those who aren't so knowledgeable about horse or polo that these wonderful thoroughbreds can do another job after they've been retired from racing. Stickers we're put on their flanks so when watching they were easily distinguished against the non ROR's which was really nice to be able to spot them from afar! More needs to be done to draw attention to them so it was really nice I thought.

With the La Martina shop just round the corner and just to tempting to resist a group of us made our way in to have a spot of (window) shopping. Francis tried on new helmets, while Sam longed over some new boots with protective outsides while I wondered around in amazement. Everything was so beautifully presented with racks of saddles on the walls, cabinets full of helmets, the smell of beautiful soft leather wafted towards me from various bags, boots and tack making me long to own a string of polo ponies and actually be able to play! Maybe one day aye?

After a little trip to the shopping tents and a few little purchases later we made our way back to the cars to polish off the picnic, desserts and some more drinks all while sitting out in the sun enjoying the music and the surroundings.
After everyone was full to bursting point we packed up for the drive home, praying it was shorter than the journey there! The sun started to set and back onto the motorways.
In my wing mirror I spot Carl's range rover gaining speed to over take me, only to look over to see Liam mooning us! What a hilarious way to end a day of mixed emotions

Next time I'll make sure we leave in plenty of time and pray that Guards won't put the Coronation Cup on the same day as the kids break up from school, Ascot have a huge race meeting up the road and Legoland (which is within a 10 minute drive from Guards) is full to bursting point with the aforementioned kids now on their school holidays!

Sophie x

Jakeira Polo Team - July Cup Winners

Where to begin after my very busy weekend away in the lovely setting of Warwickshire at Dallas Burston Polo Club ?

I have to say how absolutely beautiful it is there, Carl couldn't have picked a better place to go for Jakeira polo teams first tournament away from home turf.

We approached the weekend with scorching temperatures and gorgeous sunshine so we hoped that it would stay dry!  

Steph, Emma and I drove up in the car and left the boys to bring the horses, as not room for all us in the lorry! We arrived nice and early, so got to have a good look at the grounds, scope out where everything was and be settled ready for when the horses arrived.

Our deciding match would be held on their silver grounds, which was just off from the very large events center, on a gorgeous good grass covered pitch.

We sat briefly watching another match enjoying the sun, getting the horses ready and setting up for the match.

Annoyingly there were a lot of horse flies around so our first priority was making sure all the horses had a good covering of fly spray and to be vigilant for them biting the horses.

Time seemed to tick by and in no time the horses had their tails beautifully plaited, bandages applied and tack on so just before 5pm the riders mounted and made their way onto the pitch ready for their match against Dallas Burston Polo Clubs very own team.

Doesn't everyone look smart!? L - R: Carl Harris, Emma Darrington, Francis Molyneux & Phil Seller.

They started with a half goal advantage and right off the whistle Jakeira were on fire and within just a few minutes were already up to 2 1/2 to DBPC's 0.

A great start and everyone had to just keep their heads, keep with their opposing player and 'want it.'

Within the 7 minutes of the first chukka Jakeira were steaming ahead scoring another goal and making their goal count 3 1/2. If they could keep this up they were got to get to the final of their division! Players, grooms and supporters alike we're willing them to win!

A quick switch of ponies and a drink of water later the team made their way back onto the pitch. It seemed from my opinion Dallas Burston PC had under estimated Jakeira, so they came back with a new found enthusiasm. They were a lot more feisty in the second chukka, so how would this chukka go? Would Jakeira still lead? Phil cantered his way towards the goal and clouted the ball. The goal judge waved the flag and to our excitement we clapped and whooped as we were up to 4 1/2, only to be told moments after that it was in fact, just wide.

In the mean time DBPC managed to score a goal bring their score up to 1.

But not to be deterred Jakeira reformed, and scored making now officially 4 1/2.

Third chukka and the heat was draining, but Jakeira had fresh ponies ready and lot's of water on hand to keep the players fresh!

Jakeira, with the absolute will to win away from home, meant that within minutes Emma Darrington clouted the ball up the pitch towards the goal and with no-one to defend it and her opposing teams player nowhere to be seen, she skillfully tapped the ball a couple of times and into the goal it went, bringing Jakeira ahead by 5 1/2 to DBPCs 1. Although they were not to be deterred as DBPC had a spurt of enthusiasm and got a goal in, bring them up to 2 goals but they were still 3 1/2 goals down and flagging.

With the whistle blowing it bought the end of the third chukka and with just one final chukka, team Jakeira had to keep their lead for that 7 minutes!

Could Dallas Burston Polo Club members make up the goal difference to claw back the lead? We all watched on anxiously..

Jakeira knew they were ahead and skillfully marked the opposing teams players, kept them off the ball and defended well, so when 7 minutes was over and the whistle blew everyone knew we had done it! Jakeira were through the final in Sundays Fine & Country gold cup day to battle it out for the July Cup!

As the evening brought cooler weather, all horses were washed off, made comfortable and taken to beautiful flowing grass fields with grass up to my knee! 

The Jakeira herd making their way to the field! I'm up the front somewhere leading 4 very well behaved ponies!

It was like watching something out of black beauty seeing these ponies excitedly trotting round their new pasture and taking in the surroundings.

Players sorted, tack put away safely, bandages were re-rolled up ready for tomorrow's match and finally everyone could make their way to their suites to have well earned shower! We were very lucky that King Carl (Team patron Carl Harris) sorted us out with some very swanky accommodation. When told earlier in the week we were staying in the scoreboards at a polo club, I was thinking it would be a bed in a wodden hut where you hang the polo scores on while you play. But at Dallas Burston Polo Club I could not have been more wrong.

They were executive suite apartments and absolutely beautiful ones at that! Just look at it!
With beautiful spotless rooms, and a ginormous upstairs lounge and kitchen I felt in positive luxury. I mean my 2 bedroom flat in Newmarket is gorgeous and I love it, don't get me wrong.. but these apartments made me not want to go home!

Scoreboard apartments, function and fancy! 

After everyone had showered, cleaned up and smart clothes put on, at 9pm and utterly famished we whizzed off to join a large group for dinner at a local Greek restaurant.
And after 4 very enjoyable courses, good conversation, we were ready for bed! Tactics discussed over dinner, game faces were on for the morning.

Very lucky me I got a bit of a lay in after some broken sleep. I made my way up to the kitchen to warm up my breakfast to see Francis cantering round on Boo! Oh I didn't mention the view, how could I have forgotten. Look at it and take it all in...

"Oh hey Francis!" 

To the right were all the wonderful tents and stalls ready for a busy day, and to the left was the gorgeous club house. 

I wanted so much to watch from the balcony and had every intention to, but the want to be down with the ponies where I feel most at home was just too strong to resist.

I made my way down past the club house to watch a little of the match Carl and Phil were umpiring before their match and to see our lovely Jakeira ponies. How I love them all, they're such sweet little people (don't tell me you don't see your horses as little people with personalities, it's not just me!)
Tails up, bandages immaculate, Jakeira numnah's on they looked so smart and ready for their match!

As the other match drew to a close, our riders got on to warm up and let the horses see the boards around the edge, and get used to the spectators.

My slightly blurry picture does not do justice to just how many people were lining both sides of the pitch, with their lovely looking picnics and gorgeous outfits!
I'd estimate that around 3000 - 5000 people were now around to watch Jakeiras match against Marstons.
This was by far the biggest crowd they'd ever played against. This wasn't a local tournament but a big fancy affair!

Sadly I don't have a lot of pictures from their match, mainly because I was too busy live tweeting the match and helping swap ponies over between chukkas, but let me describe it for you..

With Marstons team being evenly matched with Jakeiras both teams started on 'the level playing field' of 0 goals each. No goal advantage here!

Marstons started the first chukka off absolutely blazing. It was obvious this team were very experienced playing with each other as they knew where each other were going to be straight away, they marked aggressively barely letting any of Jakeira out of their sight and frustraingly for all, they scored 2 goals in the first chukka. This match was not going to be like yesterdays that soon became clear. It was to be much faster and scrappier!
Jakeira, not to be walked on, scored a goal in the first chukka but with the minutes counting down the whistle blew after 7 minutes and Marstons were ahead by a goal.

Expertly sat bucking!
Photo kindly provided by Steven Harriss Photography 

Trotting back to the pony lines for fresh horses I think everyone was in a bit of shock but Jakeira were determined to step it up a gear and into the second chukka they'd scored another goal just after Marstons, meaning both teams were now on 3 goals each.
It was evident that both teams really wanted this win!

On fresh ponies for the third chukka and Jakeira kicked it up a gear. Francis after loosing the ball just in front of the goal was determined in his second opportunity and clouted the ball through the goal bringing Jakeira just head 4 goals to 3. Everyone absolutely longing for them to win, we watched on tentatively!

Photo kindly provided by Steven Harriss Photography 

Marstons scored bringing them ahead of us again making it 4 -4. And after lining back up for a throw in Marstons got the ball, ran with it and scored just seconds after, bringing them now ahead with 5 goals to Jakeiras 4. It was gonna be extremely close as everyone wanted this match a lot, neither were going down without a fight!

The whistle blew and the third chukka had started, backwards and forwards the ball went from one end to the other as both teams tried desperately to score.
Jakeira getting a great goal meant we'd equalised and were now 5 -5 to both teams. I think we all knew off the bat it was going to be a close match but this was nerve wracking to watch!
About a minute before the final whistle ending the 3rd chukka and Jakeira scored bring them now a goal ahead of Marstons going into the fourth and final chukka, 6 goals to Marstons 5.
Just as the team went back onto the pitch I heard Phil say to the rest of the team "we're ahead but play like we're 2 goals down" and that is exactly what they went out and did!

Photo kindly provided by Steven Harriss Photography 

They held off the opposing team and with 30 seconds on the board and the notifying claxon telling everyone just 30 seconds left Jakeira scored and they were 2 goals ahead, with 7 goals to Marstons 5. The figurative final furlong was within sight, they just had to hold off Marstons and keep their lead.

The whistle went and with applause from the crowd and whoops and cheers from the Jakeira family, they'd only gone and won their biggest tournament yet and their first away from home!

Carl dismounted to basically kiss the ground, leaving his horse to trot back to Stephanie at the pony lines, and the rest trotted back all smiles to lots of praise and applause. 
Everyone was in absolutely shock I think, I certainly was!

Winners! With Carl minus his horse! 

Francis

Emma

Phil

After lot's of discussion about how the team went, horses were quickly loaded on the lorry so Phil could get back to play at CCPC, Lode but with just enough time to go down to the club house for prize giving!

As their names were read out, each player made their way up to be presented with their prize of a bottle of Prosecco and a brand new whip!

Pausing so we could all get photos of course!

I do have to say how proud I am of everyone on this team. They only really formed at the start of the season, a couple of months ago and to win at their first big tournament was a real achievement and all credit is due to them. Everyone has worked really hard so they really deserved it.

And to the grooms who care for the horses and turn them out spectacularly no matter where they're playing! 

With the presentation done and ponies either on their way home or tucked up in a field munching grass we grabbed the opportunity to get a drink at the beautiful bar, grab a steak burger (which was delicious) and watch a little of the other matches.

As the weather took an unfortunately turn of looking very dark and threatened to rain the whole team took the opportunity to head to our scoreboard suites to watch from inside or on the balcony.

 I've never felt so cool! 
Thanks to Steven Harriss of SH photography, who have kindly given me permission to use this photo and some others above, and expertly taken I must say! 
Steven has a whole gallery of hundreds of photos from this weekend, all available for a very reasonable price. Please head over to his facebook (linked above) to view them.

Unfortunately the rain was well and truly set in and with the deluge that followed meant that sadly most people packed up their picnics and called it a day. And with time ticking on we too packed up our bags, cleared the rooms and loaded the cars for our journey home.
Which was spent talking about the weekend, whats next to come and how much we enjoyed it.

Thank you so much to Carl and Joanna Harris for inviting me to come up for the weekend, it was a privilege and a pleasure, I hope you'll have me again. To Steph and Francis for taking me there and being wonderful friends. To Jade, Emma, Emily, and Phil for being my lovely friends and making this weekend so wonderful!
I can't wait for the next one!

Until next time
Sophie x

Riding Helmets - Why Do We Value Style Over Safety?

Earlier this week I posted on my Facebook this very interesting article where a final year Industrial Design and Technology student at Loughborough Uni has designed a new polo helmet prototype with new and improved safety ideas. You can read more about what he's up to in the article or his blog. But it got me thinking about a variety of safety problems in equestrianism and thought i'd write my thoughts.

Photo by Robin Spicer

 From what I understand the HPA don't require polo helmets to abide by any British safety standards (Kite marks etc) but see it as the riders responsibility to wear a hat that they want and be responsible for their own head.

Also from what I understand (kindly explained by my friend Becx) that UKPA at Polocrosse tournaments check that your hat meets current safety standards and fits properly otherwise you're not allowed to compete. They sticker your hat with a sticker so that you don't have to have it checked each time, great idea!

I am under the impression that British Eventing and British Showjumping associations do 

similar (by all means correct me if i'm wrong as we don't compete under either) in that they check your hat meets current kitemarks and regulations and if you don't then you cannot compete.

I am absolutely all for these regulations. I've heard time and time again people say "but it's my head and I should decide" but have they really thought it through, who's going to look after them and take on that huge responsibility if they were to be paralyzed or suffer brain damage!?

Another thing that came to my attention of safety was back protectors. Recently I read this article from Horse & Hound  after the death of Canadian eventer Jordan McDonalds. The inquest into his deathfound he was not wearing a body protector that would not meet British Eventings standards. 

When this article was posted on the Horse & Hounds facebook I read some comments saying that some riders who are competing at CCI 1-3 levels have been personally adjusting and removing parts of the back protector to make it more stylish and comfortable!

Yup, you read that right, they're adjusting the back protector and in doing so are compromising its effectiveness in doing so. 

Showing is another realm that safety comes into play. Don't get me wrong, I love traditional dress in showing. To me top hats and beaglers looks absolutely awesome, but I would never ever wear one while riding a horse as the risk is just too great and unpredictable to risk my life for the sake of looking cool. 

Same with polo, I think i'd much rather wear a Charles Owen polo hat which is safety regulation compliant than risk a brain injury. Here Horse & Hound published an article in which a study found that nearly 50% of polo players valued look over their safety when buying a new helmet. Yes, we get it, you wanna look hot playing polo but you can still do that safely!

So how does change in values regarding safety happen? Myself and others while discussing it have said that in order to get these things changed it comes down to the manufacturers and the high profile people wearing them to make that transition and lobby for better standards.

Would it take top polo hat manufacturer Casablanca to make a hat that was safety regulation compliant and that reduced the severity of the impact injury? I'd say probably so. And if they did, it would no doubt take the high profile professional high goal players to wear them just to get the amateurs and low to medium goal players following suit. Again, I think it probably would.

Polito Pieres, polo's showman. Would it taking him or another higher goaler wearing a safer helmet to make you change?

Photo by Images of Polo 

But why is that? Well I think it comes down to everyone looking up to and having someone they aspire to be like. At any age we all have someone we'd like to ride like, whether that be a high goaler, an eventer, a dressage rider, or even a top show rider and what they wear does shape (whether consciously or unconsciously) what we want to buy and use. Why do you think manufacturers have sponsored riders and ambassadors? For just that reason..

It took Charlotte Dujardin in dressage to stop wearing a top hat for other professionals and amateurs stop wearing them to. I read that Mary King said she stopped wearing a top hat when performing the dressage stage at three day eventing because she was following in Charlottes example. If both those high profile rider choose to compete at the very highest level of dressage and eventing and not wear the traditional hat then amateurs thought why can't I? and opted for a safe reg hat with a harness.

With all that said, with showing still being so traditional in it's dress, as little has changed in the turn out of a horse and rider for the ring, it's very hard to go against the masses. 

Riders are reluctant to go against that traditional turn out in fear of being penalised and miss out on winning their class. I've known people purposely use a double bridle or pelham on their show horse, knowing their horse goes better in a snaffle for fear that the judge would mark them down for it. So they're compromising on way of going all to suit that tradition. That is how stuck these things can be and that's just one example.

Photo by Nico Morgan

Riders in ladies side saddle hunter are still wearing top hats to compete because they want to keep to that very traditional style of turn out of top hat, veil, habit and tails. Yes, a smaller amount of people are hunting and showing in proper hats as they don't want to compromise on their safety, but should the professional producers stop wearing them, and will that help the masses be persuaded to look after their safety more?

I hope so, but sadly I do not have these answers.

All that associations and governing bodies can do is to put rules into place and enforce them, we cannot physically make someone wear a safety reg hat. But by putting rules into place and making sure people abide by them is one way in making sure that events are as safe as they can be.

I applaud these high profile riders for going against these traditions and choosing to be vocal in their change, as that is how change happens. By someone feeling passionate about that cause and helping to change people's mindsets to ensure better safety.

Photo by Dressage News

I hope I haven't offended anyone reading this post. All the views expressed are mine and if you disagree with them that is fine

Look after your body, bones break and some heal and fix themselves but some things cannot be fixed like a spinal cord or brain stem so I urge you to always wear a proper hat and if jumping, then a back protector too

Sophie x

Smart Grooming Review - Black Show Make up

As I am sure you're aware by now, I swear by Smart Grooming for show prep and Georgie and I will be using them from now on.

After the lovely ladies at Smart Grooming sent me a little care package a few weeks ago i've been trying out all the lovely products. I've been a very busy bee lately but a couple of weeks ago I tried black showing make up on a friends retrained racehorse, now polo pony, called Aggy (Annia Galeria)

She's a light bay and very dark legs. Unfortunately she also has some scars and white fur on her from old injuries from racing, but this also meant she was a perfect test pony!

To start we brushed off all dirt, dust and any dry sweat etc from her legs so they were nice and clean. Then, using a small clean piece of cloth (wrapping the end over the index fingertip) and dipping it into the pot. Making sure to get a decent amount of black make up on the tip. I should note that we had a good few white fur marks to cover up so did use a good covering on the cloth but if it's a small blemish then sparingly if it's just a small blemish as does go a long way (As previously mentioned in older blog posts, all Smart Grooming products go a long way). Depending on the type of blemish, you can also use a small sponge if you'd prefer - This will be better for dabbing on and using more on larger areas. We wanted to cover the white dots so choice a more sweeping motion of going with direction of the fur. The pot is only about an inch and a half wide so it would have to be a small sponge to fit.

Going with the motion of with the hairs direction we made sure to cover all the white hair underneath too, rather than just cover the top layer of fur as with work this may rub off more easily.

Test one was Aggys white marks on her knee, cannon bone and back of her tendon are.

This is before applying the make up - 

Rather a lot of white spots from old nicks and cuts..

After - 

Completely covered up! Can you find where they were?

Now that is impressive. They were pretty prominent white marks on her legs and now they're completely hidden. Covered really well, and from a foot or so away you couldn't tell she had white fur scars at all!

We also had a bigger scar to cover- Before Aggy was a polo pony she used to race, and must have had an incident racing or while in training as when my friends Steph and Francis bought her she already had this scar just below the knee. It doesn't bother her or affect her performance but it's pretty noticeable as it doesn't have any fur coverage..(As you can see)

Doing the same as above with the white marks, we got the cloth over the index finger and dipped it into the pot to cover it generously.

Then in a more circular motion set to covering the scar.

Me and Steph were impressed by the coverage of the white marks so were keen to see how it would cover something this large and prominent. Well here's how it turned out - 

Yup, I can hardly see it either! It's covered the skin of the scar and blended it into the black fur making it pretty darn difficult to see! I am seriously impressed.

As my background is showing I am aware that this kind of scar would be no doubt be seen by the conformation judge and held against the horse in a show setting such as ROR competition (Although it would be ignored if it were under TARRA rules) but if you were wanting to hide a scar or knock such as this, then this makeup would do the job spot on! I'd even go so far to say that if it were a small enough blemish that this makeup would camouflage it sufficiently for it not to be seen

(Note - use to cover blemishes in showing at your own discretion)

I am absolutely amazed at just how well it worked.

The above pictures were taken on a Saturday, Aggy was left out overnight in a field, rolled and got rained on and it still stayed on all day Sunday without needing to be reapplied.

A week later after multiple rides and a couple of wash off's after polo it still stayed on (yes we checked)

It had faded a little, but it did stay on which really is a credit to it's staying power. 

Another time i'll try the brown one on the chestnuts and see how well that covers on them. 

It can also be used as make up around the eyes and muzzle of a bays and black horses to accentuate those areas.  Once the black make up has dried highlight then using enhancing gloss 

Overall I'd highly recommend Smart Grooming make up! I've never used make up on a horse before so went into this review with no idea how it would work or if it would work at all. But from the photos you can see it really does work! 

I'd highly recommend it. They're only £8.95 and will last for ages! 

I know some people use boot polish and such would I wouldn't recommend. They're made for polishing boots and could highly agitate the skin and could a reaction.

Smart Grooming products have been specially made for horses to avoid such things happening 

Aggy will be appearing in this weekends Mansfield Advisors/Tattersalls Flaming June Tournament at Suffolk Polo Club so I can't wait to use my Smart Geooming products to make her and Boo look amazing and fingers crossed they win best playing pony!