Are my braids good enough for USDF shows?

[AnsleyGrace]

Some people from my barn are attending the Greater Atlanta Dressage Southern next weekend which is USDF rated and a qualifying show for the Region 3 Championships. I have braided friends' horses for shows at this level before as well as been hired to braid at dozens of schooling shows and always gotten compliments but am not sure if I should put up flyers at a show this big.

Here are some photos for critique, which is appreciated.

http://b6.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/01399/66/65/1399415666_l.jpg

Sorry about the angle.

http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v196/15/14/740452058/n740452058_674990_1783.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/2386164777_b7f287bea5.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3166/2386995106_7053b5a967.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2167/2387021398_efa1e0b90a.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2277/2386994998_2b80a77b51.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3008/2386994872_f62312d090.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2136/2386994724_1c1e5e24d6.jpg?v=0

Thanks!

[PiaffePlease]

From what I can see, the braids look pretty good. They look neat, tight, and are evenly spaced. If I were going to hire you, I would be interested in seeing a closer up picture (like of 5-6 braids). Anyway, my answer is yes, I think they look lovely.

[poltroon]

Yup, very nice. :)

[cuatx67]

Sure, they look nice!

[Anselcat]

If this is your first time braiding at a show this big, maybe you can charge slightly less than the competition? You can start building up clients but also lets you test the waters regarding how well your braids compare to the other braiders there.

[Sakura]

Better than I can do :) I'd hire you in a heartbeat!

[Elegante E]

Better than I can do :) I'd hire you in a heartbeat!

Hehe. My sentiments exactly.

[dwblover]

I would hire you as well.:)

[Dressage Art]

Show off! ;) You can braid my horse any time!

My only suggestion is after you finished braiding, take a “quick braid”, spray it on your braids and with your hand flatten the fuzzy, small hear that still sticking out. If you don’t have the “quick Braid”, take a hair spray; dilute it with ½ of water and spray that on the finished braids then smooth the hair with your hand. You can control the “fuzz” this way.

If there are some hears that are still sticking out, trim them with scissors.

One more thing: try to make a front forelock braid more rounder at the end.

[merrygoround]

Where were you when I had that double maned horse?

:)

[AnsleyGrace]

Thanks very much for the feedback, I feel much better now. I haven't used Quic Braid in a while (lazy me) but I can pick that habit up again. I am definitely going to charge less than the other braiders, thanks for that tip as well.

Here's the confession. All of those braids pictured were done with rubber bands. My braids have rarely come out, despite rubbing by some very determined horses and have repeatedly lasted for a whole weekend. I use clear bands that do not show up much. Do you think if I am upfront about the method and have some of those photos on my flyers it will bother too many people?

Thanks again!

[bird4416]

I notice you are in N. Georgia. Are you going to the dressage show at Conyers next weekend? I would love to have someone else braid my boy for me. You braids look great to me.

[AnsleyGrace]

I notice you are in N. Georgia. Are you going to the dressage show at Conyers next weekend? I would love to have someone else braid my boy for me. You braids look great to me.

Yes I am and you have a PM.

[Dune]

When I showed hunters, we used yarn. Since riding/showing dressage, though, I only use rubber bands. I usually use black on all colors, where do you get clear ones? BTW, I take my braids out everyday for the horses' comfort and so they look fresh each day. Maybe if you do charge a little less, and offer to take them out each day, you could actually make more $$ on the re-braiding. ??? Just a thought....

[PiaffePlease]

I braid "dressage braids" into my horse. I forget what the real term is for them. I always use rubber bands. When I showed hunters, I used yarn because it was easier. I dont think they will mind if you use rubber bands, but Id tell them just to make sure.

[HECS04]

I think you really need to practice your braiding on my horse :D (obviously that means I think they look great!)

[poltroon]

Show off! ;) You can braid my horse any time!

My only suggestion is after you finished braiding, take a “quick braid”, spray it on your braids and with your hand flatten the fuzzy, small hear that still sticking out. If you don’t have the “quick Braid”, take a hair spray; dilute it with ½ of water and spray that on the finished braids then smooth the hair with your hand. You can control the “fuzz” this way.

If there are some hears that are still sticking out, trim them with scissors.

One more thing: try to make a front forelock braid more rounder at the end.

Do not ever trim the hairs above the neck with scissors, especially not on someone else's horse. Not ever.

You can pull them, if you like.

In this case, I expect that some of the fuzz is winter coat fuzz, not mane.

You can try to use quik braid etc to fold it over, but that's going to be more of a last-minute grooming tip than a braiding tip.

[Bethe Mounce]

They are lovely. I braid with rubber bands as well.....the yarn thing I never quite got the hang of. I remember, years and years ago, at the Washington DC National, braiding ponies into the wee hours of the night, charged $50/pony (not nice creatures and the more ill behaved they were, the more we charged owners) to do manes and tails, and that money paid our way to watch the show. Of course we were exhausted during the day, but we were young and could go with no sleep. So many times, braiding paid for about 95% of our expenses for 4-5 days worth of just watching the big names we all dreamed about becoming! :-) I do my own braiding now. I am not nearly as good as you are though! Mine don't turn out that nice! You may have a 2nd career....a good braider is worth their weight in gold, it's one less thing to fool with at a show.