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Sep 23, 2016
Tips and Tricks of the Trade: Kathleen Murray's Secret Grooming Weapons
Tips and Tricks of the Trade is an article series that gives you the industry secrets from the best grooms in the country, and it is brought to you by Athletux.
At any show impeccable turnout is essential. From your tack to the braids to the sheen of your horse’s coat, how you present yourself and your horse makes a lasting impression. Want to up your game? Make a note of the three things world-class groom Kathleen Murray wouldn’t head to a show without:
Kathleen and Ballynoe Castle RM. Photo via BDJ's Facebook Page.
My Quarter Mark Brush - A good quatermark finishes your look, and you want it to last. It all starts with your brush. You want a brush with very stiff, short bristles. My favorite is the Haas Kinderwurzel brush.
Witch Hazel – Traveling from show to show means new stalls, shavings and places to roll! This also means the word we all dread: hives. Worry not, witch hazel can save the day. I keep a spray bottle of witch hazel and mist it over the horses in their daily grooming to keep skin problems at bay.
Braiding Kit – Stand out braids start with the right tools. Compile a kit, and leave it in your trailer so you’re prepared at all times. Here’s what I always include:
- Quickbraid, or hairspray if you get desperate!
- A large, dull metal needle with a large eye for easy threading
- Mane pulling comb to create perfectly even sections
- Small scissors
- A stool, to make your life easier!
- Wax thread for perfect, tight braids that last all day
Whether you’re at a schooling show or riding down the centerline at Rolex, turnout is of the upmost importance, and the right tools make all the difference! Happy showing!
Dec 21, 2024
Education
3 Ways to Help Eventing Thrive in 2025
With the start of the New Year just days away, now is the time to consider how your actions can have a positive impact on the sport of eventing in 2025. Each and every member of the eventing community has an important role to play in ensuring the sport continues to grow and thrive. From fostering educational opportunities to supporting grassroots initiatives and participating at all levels of the sport, there are so many ways to get involved.
Dec 20, 2024
Sponsor
“Happy Horse Equals Happy Judge”: Ask An Expert with Dressage Judge Peter Gray, Brought to You by Ride iQ
Ride iQ’s popular “Ask An Expert” series features professional advice and tips from all areas of the horse industry. One of the most-downloaded episodes is an expert session with Peter Gray, an accomplished dressage judge and Olympic eventer. He has recently judged at events like the five-star at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and he served on the ground jury at the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy. His background as a competitor in the Olympic Games riding for Bermuda and as a coach and selector for the Canadian eventing team adds depth to his understanding of the sport.
Dec 19, 2024
Volunteers
The VIP Volunteer: Cathy Hale Has A Thirst for Adventure and a Love for Volunteering
With a total of 382 volunteer hours in 2024, Catherine “Cathy” Hale not only topped the USEA Area III VIP Volunteer leaderboard, but she also ranked fourth out of all eventing volunteers across the country. Hale (The Villages, Florida) has worked as a travel agent for over 30 years, a career that suits her love of travel nicely. At the time of being interviewed for this article, Hale was passing the equator on a cruise to Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia.
Dec 18, 2024
Association News
USEA Office Closed for Holidays
The USEA office will close at 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, and will reopen again on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. The USEA staff will return emails and phone calls when the office re-opens on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 or at their earliest convenience.
