Dans Papers - May 18, 2007

Show Season is Almost Here
It's finally spring! The stall windows are open, the jumps are being set up in the Grand Prix fields and all the fat, shaggy ponies are ready to get polished and sent into the show ring. Well, almost. It seems like all the horses on the East End are due for a tune-up, especially mine. Summer competition out here is fierce, and if you want to go home with a ribbon, you and your mount need to be gleaming from the inside out.

One of the most important things to remember during the spring is to keep your horse free of pests, hydrated and on sturdy, shining hooves. For hydration and hoof protection, some added electrolytes and Biotin in his food should do the trick. Try Apple-a-Day or another electrolyte supplement for an inexpensive way to keep your horse happy during his daily workouts. For hoof supplements, anything with a good amount of Biotin should work, such as Grand Hoof or Omega Horseshine. I like Omega Horseshine because of the added luster the Omega-3s and fats give to my horse's coat. For fly protection, I have been itching to try Equispot, which is formulated along the same lines as Advantage Spot-On flea and tick protection for dogs and cats. It has gotten great reviews, is waterproof and protects against fleas, ticks, flies and gnats for two weeks. I'll keep you posted on how it works out over the course of the next month.

Once your horse is protected, it's time to get down to work, inside and ouside the ring. If you're a weekend rider who will be riding your horse every day in the summer, start doing intensive, 30-minute flatwork sessions. The more trotting and flying lead changes you do now, the more handsomely his muscles will gleam by the time the Hampton Classic rolls around. A good clipping can also work wonders on a shaggy, shedding steed. Sometimes, if he's been running wild all winter, it might be worth it to let a professional come in to clip away the winter fuzz and pull your horse's mane so that he looks like a respectable show horse. To protect hooves from dryness and make them glisten all season long, be sure to use a good hoof conditioner all over the hoof wall, sole and frog every day. My trainer likes Rainmaker, but there are so many brands to choose from that I won't even try to recommend just one. For the show ring, try a high-quality hoof polish. They don't do much for the health of the hoof, but they will make them shine in the ring and help repel dust and dirt.

As for us riders, tuning up during the spring is essential. No one wants to put on their favorite show jacket and have it pulling in unflattering places, or slide off the saddle onto sore, tender legs. The best kind of cross-training for riders is any exercise that stretches your muscles and builds strength in the core. Exercises like Yoga, Pilates, and other dance-based workouts will keep you lean and limber without over-stressing your muscles. If you really want to look like a pro in the showring, stock up on Tailored Sportsman low-rise breeches - they're comfy, beautiful, last forever and are a must-have for show season. If you can't stomach the price, try eBay for great equestrian apparel at a fraction of the regular price. No matter what state you and your horse are in, there is still plenty of time to be in tip-top shape before the big shows start setting up those beautiful tents all over the East End. While you're getting ready to strut your stuff, be sure to check back each week for interviews with some of the East End's riding superstars and anyone else who helps make the Hamptons the best place in the world to be a rider.