Voting is now open for The Absorbine Grooms Home & Away Award

Voting is now open for The Absorbine Grooms Home & Away Award

The Absorbine Pro-Am Grooms Award takes on an exciting new aspect in 2013, with the introduction of two sections for professionals and amateurs.  The move reflects the vital role played by those who dedicate their professional careers to the care of  show horses, whilst also recognising the equally important part played by the many unpaid friends and family who volunteer to help competitors on a regular basis.

“Our support of the Pro-Am Grooms Award enables us to recognise and say thank you to all those who work so tirelessly to ensure the welfare of our beautiful show horses, and to keep them gleaming and looking absolutely fabulous in the ring.  Absorbine and ShowSheen have many loyal customers in the showing world and we are delighted to be able to put something back into showing.  The grooms really are the unsung heroes of the showing world”, said Absorbine European Marketing Manager, Rachael Holdsworth

The nominees are all worthy finalists and the organisers have informed us that at this stage the voting is very close! To cast your vote and find out more about the finalists go to www.showingworldonline.co.uk

You have until the 18^th September 2013 to vote and the winners will be presented with their title and award at End Of Season Showing Gala Presentation Dinner on the 26^th October at the East Of England Show Ground

Absorbine Grooms Home and Away Award 2012 Winner,

Leigh Pedler with sponsor Rachael Holdsworth of Absorbine UK

Get Voting!!

The Nominees Are:

The Absorbine Grooms Home & Away Award (Professionals)

David Jinks - Groom to the Emmerson Show Team

Emma Lucas - Groom to Team Harvey

Jess Tascott - Groom to the Hood Show Team

Mark Chesters - Groom to Carol Bardo & Jayne Ross (nee Webber)

The Absorbine Grooms Home & Away Award (Amateurs)

Helen Whitmarsh

John Burton

Margaret Cousins

Sarah Lambert

The Latest News From Popsters Show Team

The Latest News From Popsters Show Team

Popsters Bootylicious  greets Prince William

Popsters Bootylicious, ridden by Absorbine sponsored Heidi Bennett, was the Champion Ridden Welsh Section C at Anglessy Show.

Heidi and Popsters Bootylicious (Boots) were presented to Prince William, who told her Boots looked fantastic and that their turnout was great!

Heidi told Prince William that she uses ShowSheen!

They made the national news on TV, with a picture in The Sun, The Mirror and The Daily Telegraph today!

The Popsters Stud have 3 qualified for HOYS and are aiming for the Breeders Awards at HOYS.

Well done Popsters Stud! Absorbine wishes you the best of luck!

Prepare for Evening Performances

Prepare for Evening Performances

Evening performances can be daunting for both horse and rider, being enclosed in a ring surrounded by flashing lights, applause and music. Absorbine sponsored Jayne Ross and Carol Bardo have produced numerous Horse Of The Year Show and Royal International Horse Show Champions, and have some great tips to prepare your horse for an evening performance.

The atmosphere indoors is very different to that outdoors, so it is important to get your horse used to the noise in an indoor arena, “If your horse is not used to going indoors, rent an indoor school and invite some friends along to provide some noise, and some to ride with you. It is a good idea to use ear plugs for your horse, but practice using them at home, and never do anything at a show that your horse is not used to”, says Jayne.

When it comes to turnout under the spotlight both you and your horse need to look clean, shiny and sparkling. It is a good idea to consider what your horse will look like under the lights, “You should be careful not to use too much baby oil as it can look like an oil slick under the lights”, said Jayne. “We are fortunate enough to be sponsored by Absorbine, so we have all their lovely grooming products to make the horses really shine. We put a rug on after they have been bathed to encourage the hair to lie flat and use ShowSheen hair polish on their coats and tails. SuperShine hoof polish dries to give a mirror like shine to the hooves, and it doesn’t rub off or go dull on the arena surface so it looks good under the lights. We always give the horse a wipe over and a spritz of ShowSheen before we go in, to get rid of any dust on their coat”, explains Jayne.

“Your show is all about timing. You need to think about your show beforehand and prepare it in your mind. It is better to do a smoother show, using the space available and thinking ahead to do smooth transitions. You should plan your show according to the type of horse, and keep it free flowing and forward going”, advised Jayne.

Once you have thought about all the above preparation for the atmosphere, turnout and show you should also bare in mind the prize presentation. As a sponsor, Carol Bardo has made quite a few presentations, and advises that it is a good idea to get your horse used to receiving a sash. “The person making presentations may not be very horsey, so it is very helpful if you have practiced putting the sash around your horse’s neck so that your horse does not back away. You can also practice standing between flower arrangements”, says Carol.