“As a little girl, I just wanted to ride a horse. I had no idea what I was getting into,” rider Amanda Purdin Standish tells us. Now, 20 years later, Amanda has closed out another show season at US Nationals, ending her year on a high after great wins: a National Championship in Half-Arabian Country Maturity, a Reserve National Championship in PB English 18-39, and Top Tens in both Half-Arabian English 18-39 and Half-Arabian Country 18-39.

Aside from being a top rider, Amanda also has top show ring fashion…

Show Season: Describe your riding fashion style.
Amanda Purdin Standish: Sparkly but classic…I have simple styles and colors with hints of sparkle!

SS: What is your favorite head-to-toe riding outfit?
APS: A new burgundy that Melissa designed for me this year. I love that the color is a little different and the vest that goes with it is very fun!

SS: Do you wear anything for good luck in the show ring?
APS: I lose most of the things that I think are lucky throughout the year! I have a tie tack right now that I think is lucky. I’m very superstitious about who does my hair. Believe it or not there is definitely a lucky bun!

SS: What is one thing you never go in the ring without?
APS: I prefer to never go in the ring without my husband, Rhein on one side of the arena and my trainer Joel on the other.

SS: How would you describe your non-horse show style?
APS: My non horse show style is normally very simple.

SS: What has been your biggest accomplishment as a rider?
APS: I’m not sure I have a biggest accomplishment as a rider. I would say one of the moments I am most proud of was being National Champion Half Arabian country 18-35 in 2012 on a 4 year old since he was not allowed to compete in the Maturity. This year, I showed the same horse and was able to win the maturity. To be able to win two years in row on such a special horse meant a lot to me!

SS: What are your riding goals for the future?
APS: I would like to continue to be successful on the horses I have bred and raised.

SS: Who has been the most influential in your riding career?
APS: My parents have supported me so much in my riding career. They are always on the rail and at the shows to help me with anything I need. Without them, I would never have been able to accomplish what I have.

Be Prepared I love the simplicity of The Girl Scouts motto, “Be Prepared,” as it provides the perfect reminder for all situations, including horse shows. And no other horse show requires more need for preparation and readiness than Nationals….which starts in FOUR DAYS (!!!).

But preparing for Nationals can be stressful. The last thing you want to be doing is scrambling around the morning you are leaving (or, worse the morning you are showing) to gather last minute items.

So, to help prevent that, I decided to make my life (and hopefully yours) a little easier this year by making a horse show checklist containing anything and everything us riders will need to get us through the show. Hope it helps!

Hair:

• Hair Brush
• Elastic Hair Ties
• Bobby Pins
• Hair Pins
• Hair Nets
• Hair Spray
• Bun Bows and/or Sparkle Hair Pins (optional)

Make-up:

• Make-up brushes & sponges
• Q-tips
• Foundation
• Concealer
• Pressed powder
• Blush
• Eye shadow(s)
• Eyeliner
• Mascara
• Lipstick
• Lip gloss

Show Clothes:

• All of your show apparel (i.e., shirts, ties / scarves, jackets, vests, pants / chaps, etc.)
  ☆ Be sure to have an idea of what you are going to wear for each one of your classes. & try them on ahead of time! If you have lost or gained weight you want to head over to Show Season ASAP to see if alterations can be made in time before you show!
• Show hat(s)/helmets(s)
• Gloves
• Boots
• Spurs

Finishing Touches:

• Tie bar
• Tie pin
• Lapel pin
• Number pins or magnets
• Earrings (preferably kept small; i.e., pearls, diamonds, colored stones, etc.)

Miscellaneous:

• Make-up remover wet wipes (these little gems are perfect for touching up make-up smudged collars or removing slime from your jacket if a horse decides to sneeze on you)
• Assorted safety pins
• Sewing kit
• Electrical tape (for taping boots)
• Lint roller
• Felt hat cleaning sponges

 

When time speeds up and you find yourself with only minutes to make yourself look your best before your class, follow these tips to help you to apply your makeup quickly and easily (in just 5 minutes!).

You will be left looking fresh, youthful, and ready to show. 

 

1. Skin Prep

Start with a clean and moisturized face. Then you have a couple of choices:

Option A: Primer

Depending on the amount of coverage you want/need, a primer can eliminate your need for foundation and concealer, which will also save you more time.

These skin smoothers come as translucent lotions or in creamier white formulas. Apply yours using your fingertips in the same way you would your moisturizer.

Option B: Foundation and/or concealer

If you wear foundation, you can cut down your makeup time by applying it only to the areas that need it. The best (and fastest) way to apply it is with a (preferably damp) makeup sponge (not your fingers!).

Concealers come in stick, wand, tube or pot forms, and are most generally used to hide blemishes and under-eye circles. Some women use foundation as their concealer. It is simply a matter of personal preference and dependent on your skincare needs.

Using your ring finger, dab conceler on the areas of your face that can be prone to redness or dark shadows, such as your chin, the sides of your nose, and around your eyes, as well as on any blemishes.

When you have an extra 30 seconds: You can complete your skin prep with a sheer compacted powder for a quick matte finish.

2. Line Your Lids

Quickly define your eyes by using an eyeliner pencil to trace your upper lash line only. You can then take your finger and smudge the line a tad so it doesn’t look so perfect.

When you have an extra 30 seconds: A shimmery white eye shadow is a secret weapon for brightening up your eyes. Apply it to the inner corner of each eye, and then dot it on the centre of your eyelids and under your eyebrow arches.

3. Lube Up Your Lashes

When you are in a rush, you only need to focus on accentuating your upper lash line (rather than upper and lower). Sweep on one or two coats from root to tip. I recommend black for a more dramatic look.

TIP: Never pump the wand of your mascara. Doing so pushes air into the tube, drying it out and promoting bacterial growth.

4. Now Blush!

Using a brush blush, swirl a little powder blush onto the apples of your cheeks (the roundest part when you smile) and blend the shade up and out towards your temples for a pop of color.

5. Swipe on a Lip Shade

Complete your look with a gloss finish. They require less precision (and time) than a liner-and-lipstick combo. A bold or bright shade will look best in the show arena.

Ta-da, you’re done! 

One of my favorite ways to accessories my show outfit is with a tie. But if you’re anything like me, every time I open my garment bag only to discover my tie hanging undone, I am left in a frantic situation where I have to scramble to find my dad or the closest person around who can tie it for me.

Therefore, I decided it was time for me to finally take on the task of learning how to tie my own tie in prevention of these frenzied situations.

So, no matter if you have never been taught how to tie a tie properly, are a little rusty, or just want a fresh trick or two to upgrade your style, get ready to get out your sharpest looking tie and a mirror. With some patience and practice you, too, can learn how to tie a fabulous tie.

Below, I have listed four of the most popular techniques, starting with the easiest. Try them all and decide which one suits you best.

1) The Four-in-Hand

The Four-in-Hand Knot makes for a narrow, discreet and slightly asymmetrical tie knot. While this knot can be worn on anyone, it looks especially well on those with shorter necks, as the knot’s shape has a bit of a slimming effect.

To tie the Four-in-Hand Knot, simply follow these steps:

1)   To start, the wide end of your tie should be hanging on the side of your dominant hand. If you are right handed, begin by putting the wide end (“W”) of your tie on the right, extending about 12 inches below the Narrow end (“N”) on the left. If you are left-handed, the wider end should be hanging on your left side.

 

 

2)   Cross the wide end over the narrow end.

 

 

 

3)   Turn the wide end back underneath the narrow end.

 

 

 

4)   Continue by bringing the wide end back over in front of the narrow end again.

 

 

 

5)   Next, pull the wide end up and through the loop around your neck.

 

 

 

6)   Hold the front of the knot loosely with your index finger and bring the wide end down through the front loop.

 

 

 

7)   Finally, remove your finger and tighten the knot to the collar by holding the narrow end and sliding the knot up.

 

 

It’s as simple as that!

2) The Half-Windsor

The Half-Windsor Knot is a good alternative to the Four-In-Hand method. The knot is bigger, symmetrical and triangular, and is considered to offer a more upscale look than the Four In Hand. It works best with somewhat wider neckties made from light to medium fabrics.

Here’s how to tie it:

1)   To start, (as with the Four In Hand) the wide end of your tie should be hanging on the side of your dominant hand. If you are right handed, begin by putting the wide end (“W”) of your tie on the right, extending about 12 inches below the Narrow end (“N”) on the left. If you are left-handed, the wider end should be hanging on your left side.

 

2)   Cross the wide end of the tie over the narrow end.

 

 

 

 

3)   Bring the wide end around and under the narrow end.

 

 

 

 

4)   Next, bring the wide end up.

 

 

 

 

5)   Pull the wide end through the loop and to the right.

 

 

 

 

6)   Bring the wide end around the front, over the narrow end from right to left.

 

 

 

7)   Again, bring the wide end up and through the loop again.

 

 

 

 

8)   After, bring the wide end through the knot in the front.

 

 

 

9)   And – using both hands – tighten the knot, drawing it up to the collar. (You want your knot to look a bit wider than the Four In Hand knot.)

 

 

And there you have it! That is all there is to the Half-Windsor Knot.

 

3) The Windsor-Knot

The Windsor Knot – a thick, wide and triangular tie knot – is a more formal alternative to the Half-Windsor. This tie knot looks especially well on those with longer necks as its wide form shortens the perceived height of the neck a little bit.

Here’s how to do it:

1)   To start, the wide end of your tie should be hanging on the side of your dominant hand. If you are right handed, begin by putting the wide end (“W”) of your tie on the right, extending about 12 inches below the Narrow end (“N”) on the left. If you are left-handed, the wider end should be hanging on your left side.

 

 

2)   Cross the wide end over the narrow end.

 

 

 

 

3)   Bring the wide end up through the loop between the collar and your tie.

 

 

 

 

4)   Then bring the wide end back down.

 

 

 

 

5)   Pull the wide end underneath the narrow end and to the right, back through the loop and to the right again so that the wide end is inside out.

 

 

 

6)   Bring the wide end across the front from right to left.

 

 

 

 

7)   Pull the wide end up through the loop again.

 

 

 

 

8)   Bring the wide end down through the knot in the front.

 

 

 

 

9)   Finally – using both ends – tighten the knot carefully and draw it up to the collar.

 

 

 

With a bit of practice you will be laughing at how easy it is.

4) The Pratt-Shelby Knot

The Pratt Knot (also known as the Shelby Knot) is fairly wide, but not as wide as the Windsor Knot. It is best suited for somewhat wider ties that are made out of light to medium fabrics.

To tie it, follow these steps:

1)   Start with the necktie inside out. As always, the wide end of your tie should be hanging on the side of your dominant hand. If you are right handed, begin by putting the wide end (“W”) of your tie on the right, extending about 12 inches below the Narrow end (“N”) on the left. If you are left-handed, the wider end should be hanging on your left side.

 

 

2)   Cross the wide end under the narrow end.

 

 

 

 

3)   Take the wide end over and under the narrow end.

 

 

 

 

4)   Pull the loop down and tighten.

 

 

 

 

5)   After, take the wide end over to the right.

 

 

 

 

6)   Pull the wide end up, behind the loop.

 

 

 

 

7)   Finally, bring the wide end through the knot and tighten gently.

 

 

 

Voilá! The Pratt Knot.

TO MAKE A DIMPLE:

It is always important to me that my tie has a dimple. Such a simple detail can add both sophistication and depth to your show outfit.

Start by choosing the right tie. Some ties are easier to dimple than others. The best and easiest to dimple are ones made from coarser fabrics such as fine ribbed textured silk. The coarser fabric helps to create more friction, preventing the dimple from loosing its shape.

The perfect dimple is made before you tighten the knot. To create it, start by placing your index finger in the fabric directly under the knot while gently squeezing the sides of the fabric as you tighten the knot by pulling down on the wide end of the tie. The dimple should be centered in the middle of your knot.