A wonderful week at the Royal International Horse Show for team Absorbine

Our amazing Absorbine ambassadors were on absolute top form at a slightly damp, 2017 Royal International Horse Show at the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead.

Jayne Ross recorded an unprecedented result in the hunter classes by winning all three weights. This is a feat that has never before been achieved at the Royal International.

The three hunter champions. Left to right Bloomfield Excelsior and Matt Richardson,
Time 2 Reflect and Jayne and Bloomfield Valhalla with Scott Dixon. Credit Peter Nixon. 

Jayne and Diane Stennett’s talented and loyal mare, Time 2 Reflect took the Lightweight Hunter Championship, before going on to become overall Hunter Champion for the third year running. Jayne said: “I cannot begin to tell you how special Betty is to all of us – she tries so hard to please.”

Jayne and Dine Stennett's, Time 2 Reflect take the Hunter
Championship at RIHS for an amazing third time. 

Bella Malim’s, Bloomfield Valhalla and Jayne took the title of Middleweight Hunter Champion. Bloomfield Valhalla, known as Richie at home, stood champion at the Hickstead Derby Meeting earlier in the season.

Jayne and James Woodington tend to
Bloomfield Valhalla in the ring at Hickstead 

In the Heavyweight Hunter Championship, Jayne and Bloomfield Excelsior took top honours. This upstanding grey owned by the Shades of Grey Syndicate is also the current Horse of the Year Show Hunter of the Year.

With all three horses through into the Hunter Championship, team riders Matt Richardson and Scott Dixon stepped in. Matt took the ride on Bloomfield Excelsior and Scott rode Bloomfield Valhalla. Jayne said: “Betty and I lifted the Hunter Championship Trophy for the third consecutive year in a row following her breath-taking gallop in the main arena. No hunter has ever lifted this trophy for three consecutive years and Betty set a new record – there were by this point more tears and even more champagne!”

Jo Bates and Suzannah Welby's, Elusive take the Champion Hack
title at the 2017 Royal International Horse Show 

It was a one, two for Absorbine sponsored riders in the Large Hack Championship. Jo Bates and Suzannah Welby’s, Elusive took the title and Rosettes Direct’s, Forgeland Hydepark and Jayne came second. Elusive and Jo went on to take the Champion Hack title in the main arena at Hickstead.

The Jayne Ross Show Team also had success in the Riding Horse classes at the Royal International. Diane Stennett’s, Casino won the Small Riding Horse Championship and went on to stand Reserve Champion Riding Horse in the main arena. Carol Bardo and Michael Cook’s CSF Cummer Paradise took the runner up spot in the Large Riding Horse Championship.

On the final day of the show, the Mccourt’s, Rockstone Raven went on to stand Heavyweight Cob Champion with Jayne.

The Jayne Ross Show Team and Team Bates are brand ambassadors for Absorbine.  

Finalists announced for the 2017 Absorbine Groom of the year Awards

The finalists for the 2017 Showing Council / Showing World Absorbine Groom of the Year Awards have been announced. It is now down to a vote to decide the winner.

Jamie Punchard - the 2016 Professional Absorbine
Groom of the Year winner receives his award

The Absorbine Groom of the Year Award is split into two sections; amateur and professional to provide recognition for both full and part-time grooms. There are four finalists in each section, each of whom has been nominated for this prestigious national award.

Professional finalists:

Jo Jack (Katie Jerram)

Zoe Barleycorn (Team Burchell)

James Knight (Gill Thompson Show Team)

Scott Dixon (Jayne Ross Show Team)

Amateur finalists:

Martin Spoor

Sandra Dowker

Joanne Preston

Leanne Pickford

Voting opens on the 1^st June and will close on the 7^th September 2017. The winner of each section of the Absorbine Groom of the Year Award will be announced and have their award presented at the annual Showing Council / Showing World Awards Presentation Gala Dinner on the 21st October 2017 at the East of England Showground.

To place your vote visit www.showingworldonline.co.uk or www.showingworldawards.co.uk.

For further information please visit www.absorbine.co.uk or find us on facebook www.facebook.com/AbsorbineUK. To follow the Absorbine Groom of the Year award use hashtag, #GroomoftheYear17 or #ShowPersonality17. 

Absorbine ambassador Charlotte Dujardin CBE becomes BGA Patron

The British Grooms Association (BGA) is absolutely delighted to announce that Charlotte Dujardin CBE has become the inaugural Patron as the association celebrates its 10th Birthday. 

Charlotte says, “I am very proud to be the Patron of the British Grooms Association; it’s an important organisation that is dedicated to the hard-working grooms and employers in our industry.”

Lucy Katan, Chief Exectuive and founder of the BGA says, ““We are honoured to have Charlotte become our Patron. Charlotte is an inspiring example of someone who began her career as a groom and has worked her way to the top. Her working relationship with Alan is an example of true professionalism and one we encourage employees and employers all over the world to emulate.”

Charlotte, who has won six Gold Olympic Medals and holds all three world records in dressage become a household name after Carl Hester spotted her talents and offered her a job as a groom on his yard.

“I started my career with horses as a groom and I think that the dedication, work ethic and skills required in order to be successful in the role mean that grooms should continue to be recognised as the skilled professionals they are” explained Charlotte. “I encourage all grooms to join their professional association for the support and I hope my Patronage of the BGA will raise the awareness of the necessities of good employment in the equestrian workplace and encourages employers to engage with the organisation that exists to support them.”

The BGA, which turns 10 this week, is committed to working with both grooms and employers and has seen huge developments over recent years including the introduction of personal accident insurance, online educational learning, employment contracts and the development of the Employers Zone.

“We hope that Charlotte joining our association will enable us to raise the profile of the BGA and inspire all grooms, and employers, of all levels and across all disciplines to join their association” adds Lucy.

To find out more about the BGA visit www.britishgrooms.org.uk

                                                           

Top turnout tips from Absorbine ambassador Jayne Ross

     With the show season about to get into full swing, we asked Absorbine supremo, Jayne Ross her top tips for ensuring a perfect look in the ring...... 

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The Humdinger 

     Five time HOYS Supreme Champion, Jayne Ross says “I use Absorbine ShowSheen 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner on all my horses. If the greys and coloureds have any stable stains the ShowSheen Stain Remover and Whitener is a great pre-treatment. After washing our horses’ with ShowSheen® 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner we spray on ShowSheen® Original as it conditions the coat and helps reply dust and dirt.”

   

     If your horse’s tail is white, regularly wash the bottom half of the tail using Absorbine ShowSheen Stain Remover and Whitener to prevent the tail hair from staining. Mud on grey tails will stain if left there for any length of time and you will be left with a stained yellow tail. 

  

Jayne hard at work with the Absorbine ShowSheen 

     Jayne's head groom Mark Chesters insists tails must be pulled, not clipped. He pulls the tail with an aluminium hair comb with tightly spaced teeth so that he can get hold of the shorter hairs. Mark said: “Every horse is different but I pull to approximately three quarters of the way down the quarters to give

it a nice shape. 

     The whole 

     purpose is to enhance the horse’s back end. Ideally you want to pull the tail over a period of time so the hairs all grow back at different times and are different lengths. When you have finished, comb the hair out to the sides of the tail to check that it is even and to look for long bits.”

·    “You want the tail to look full so we never brush them between shows as this can damage and break the hairs. Using Absorbine’s ShowSheen Detangler Gel makes them much easier to manage,” advises Jayne.

·    When the horse is clean, Mark will use Absorbine ShowSheen Original Hair Polish and Detangler.  “Spray their tail, legs, and under their belly with ShowSheen Original before turning them out in the field. It will condition the hair and repel the mud. This makes it easier to brush out any mud that does stick and will cut down grooming time,” explains Mark.

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    Find Absorbine UK on Facebook www.facebook.com/absorbineuk. 

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Absorbine® celebrates its 125 year anniversary

Manufacturers of the renowned Absorbine^® range of grooming, hoof care, fly control and leather care products, W.F. Young Inc, are celebrating their 125th anniversary for their horse care products in 2017.

Mary Ida Fenelon and two of her Saddlebred horses

Founded in 1892 by Wilbur Fenelon Young and his wife, Mary Ida, W. F. Young, Inc.’s first product was Absorbine Veterinary Liniment. Wilbur delivered cargo with a wagon and a team of horses. Mary Ida was an avid horse enthusiast and cared for all their horses. Wilbur's team would get tired after long days of pulling freight and often would be too sore the next day to pull cargo as effectively. With the help of his wife, Mary Ida, Wilbur developed a natural formula of herbs and essential oils that became Absorbine Veterinary Liniment. In 1892 Wilbur decided to dedicate his life to helping keep horses as healthy as possible.

Absorbine Veterinary Liniment circa 1892

Absorbine was invented because of the compassion for horses that Wilbur and Mary Ida Young felt. They believed that although the horse was a "means to an end" for most people, they also needed to be treated humanely in return for all their hard work. A happy healthy horse is going to work more efficiently and require less care.  Absorbine believe that every product must be conceived with the horse's health and well-being in mind.

Veterinary Liniment - or
Embrocation as it is now known
in its up-to-date packaging.

Today, Absorbine continues this spirit of caring for animals instilled by Mary Ida and Wilbur with constant innovation. Absorbine has consistently updated its product line to better meet the evolving needs of horses and their owners. The company is recognized as a worldwide leader in innovative, specialised animal health care brands – including Absorbine Liniment, UltraShield^® fly control, ShowSheen^® grooming products, Hooflex^® hoof care, and the award-winning Woof Pouf^®. More recently adding the Leather Therapy® and Bigeloil® to its family of trusted brands.

In 2017, Absorbine is celebrating their 125^th anniversary with a limited edition 1.19 litre ShowSheen Original Hair Polish and Detangler with 25% extra product free.  To mark the occasion, they will also be raising money for international animal welfare charity, Brooke, throughout the year. Absorbine and the Brooke were both founded upon the same core values of working to improve the lives of working horses. Through product sales and the support of brand ambassador, Charlotte Dujardin, Absorbine will raise money to support the Brooke’s essential work.  

125 year anniversary
Absorbine ShowSheen

“We at Absorbine are proud of our unique heritage, and the 125-year legacy that has taken the form of several successful animal health care brands regarded internationally for their quality and dependability,” says Chris Jacobi, President of Absorbine

. “However, we know that it is the dedication and passion of our loyal customers that has allowed us to make such progress since 1892, and this celebration is our opportunity to give back and express our gratitude. They are the reason we have become The Horse World’s Most Trusted Name^®, and we intend to live up to that name for years to come.”

For more product information, visit www.absorbine.co.uk or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AbsorbineUK.

Christmas Gift Guide from Absorbine

Make light work of cleaning tack and washing rugs this winter with the Leather Therapy range from Absorbine. Leather Therapy is an integrated system designed for complete care of tack, blankets and equestrian textile articles making it the perfect Christmas gift for the busy equestrian.

The Leather Therapy Tack Wash cleans tough dirt and grime and helps leather to stay strong and supple. The formula is pH-balanced with micro suds to lift out embedded dirt, sweat and grime. It is sprayed directly on to saddlery, bridle work or leather garment, and wiped off, with no need to rinse. It works synergistically with the Leather Therapy Restorer & Conditioner; a blend of rich replenishing oils formulated to transform dry, hard leather to original flexibility. It is ideal for restoring old, dried out leather and helps it last longer with regained suppleness and strength as well as inhibiting mould and mildew. It is ideal for bringing old, dry leather back to life and for maintaining your best tack, especially if going into storage or if it will not be used for a while.  

It includes the Leather Therapy Saddle Pad& Blanket Wash and the Leather Therapy Saddle Pad & Blanket Rinse. Add them to your machine wash for a deep clean and sanitizing wash. They will help break down heavy soiling, protein based grime, eliminating odours and refreshing rugs and blankets, saddle pads, wraps and protective boots. The specialised formula is gentle on waterproof rugs and provides anti-static properties to your wash load. It is also Earth-friendly, being pH-neutral and biodegradable.   
   

Leather Therapy Leather Laundry Solution and Leather Therapy Laundry Rinse & Dressing. Leather Therapy Leather Laundry Solution is designed to be used in the washing machine on natural and synthetic leather, fabric and sheepskin items.  It will restore the soft feel of suede or smooth leather, fabrics and fleece; one wash will bring comfort and life back to the leather.  Leather Therapy Laundry Rinse & Dressing provides superior conditioning for natural or synthetic leather, fabric, wool fleece and sheepskin plus protection from fading, anti-static comfort and a fresh smell.






Absorbine products are available from most tack shops. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AbsorbineUK.