all the pretty ponytails

bright red hair and flower power brighten up a dull rainy day-suffolk show

The catwalk may have given them the heads up and a bevy of celebs trotted along the red carpet swishing theirs but let's face it, we equestriennes own the ponytail! OK, so the fashion pony may be a sleeker more polished try-hard affair and ours are more utilitarian-they keep our hair neat when riding and out of our faces when we're at a wet 'n' windy show or performing the multitude of tasks we do with our heads tipped upside down on the yard!  Oh and they also go well with the equestrian hat of choice, the baseball cap.  Take a look at some ponies on parade at recent shows, then read my top turn out tips......

hi-tails for hoodies-hadleigh show

taming an unruly mane-great witchingham horse trials

nice touch-grey is the colour, co-ordinating nails and hairband-royal windsor horse show

a bit on the side suits this wild child-suffolk show

mine's higher than yours!-houghton horse trials

very swish, the full on glamour show pony-royal windsor horse show

you can always co-ordinate with your friend- royal windsor horse show

.....or your horse-royal windsor horse show

....and if you get tired of your pony give it a twist and add an eye-catching accessory- nicola wilson, houghton horse trials

Want your pony to win best in show then here are a few suggestions.....


* If you're dressing up, do your make-up first and put your outfit on, then it's easier to create the pony that goes with your look.

* Use simple hair bands, no scrunchies please, leave them in the nineties!  To give your pony the edge cover the band with a piece of your own hair-just take a small section from underneath, wrap it round the hair band and secure with a grip in a colour that matches your hair.

* A sleek pony requires well conditioned tresses. Some leave-in conditioner can really help smooth down fly away strands and try a shine spray for extra gloss-why not borrow your horse's?

* The 'undone' beach pony needs texture, so unwashed hair is best. Then add a spritz of sea salt/surf spray or dry shampoo and rake your fingers through your hair to sweep it into a band.

*  A plait is very on trend but you want to avoid it looking too neat and Little House On The Prairie! Apply some leave in conditioner and then gather your hair at the nape of your neck, either at the back or off to one side and keep it all a bit loose and carefree.

* Choose the pony that's right for you. If you've got an oval face then lucky you, any style goes, otherwise here are a few guidelines that may help:

Round faces should avoid a sleek style and suit a hi-pony and try and create some height by backcombing the roots at the crown, this will elongate your face.  Square faces should pull out soft tendrils at the front to soften the jawline.  Heart shaped faces suit a mid-height pony or a low pony with a fringe. Long faces suit a pony that's off to one side which gives width to the face and use a side parting too and sweep your fringe across. 


Big thanks to Nicky Bethell for her fab-u-lous photography.

If you want to show off your pony, flick your pics over to the Equestrian Style File at                                                                                                                                      www.troton.com.