Braiding for Horse Shows

What is happening here?  Why  does this horse have his mane and tail  braided up like that?  Who does it?  When does it happen?  Read on.

 

March 2005: More Internet Braiding for Horseshow Links: Hints from a professional braider ;  introduction to hunter jumper show arcana;  turnout (proper dress and horse  presentation) for those new to the sport 

Braider's work helps horses compete By Kelly Wolfe--Palm Beach Post Staff Writer--Saturday, February 12, 2005

WELLINGTON — Sometimes, there's a big, horsy sigh. Or the rustle of straw. Or an occasional, startled gallop from the paddock when the sprinklers shoot to life.   But that's about all the commotion after midnight, backstage at the Winter Equestrian Festival.  Which is just how Linda Umla likes it.

"There's a Zen-like thing going on here," she said under the light of a 300-watt bulb, her taped fingers twisting Peewee's mane into neat little braided knobs that sit on the right side of his neck.

After the sun comes up, and the crowds gather round, Peewee — who shows under the name Cast a Spell — will compete with the Green Working Hunters. It's Umla's job to make him look good.

"This is straightforward traditional," Umla said of the style, which first became fashionable to protect horses from brambles and tangles while hunting. "I try to line them up so they are in a straight line, identical."

At one point, Peewee — which is his barn name — looks a little like Bo Derek in 10. But then Umla takes a little hook and twists the hair under and into place and suddenly Peewee looks less silly and more professional. Because Peewee's tail is a little sparse, Umla weaves a long, lush fake one in with his God-given tresses.

Now, he's ready. It took about an hour to finish braiding Peewee — from head to tail. Umla will braid five more horses this early morning. Her assistant will braid another five. Umla charges $45 per mane and $30 per tail, give or take, she said.

She's been working this way since 1979, when a buddy suggested, on a lark, they travel to Syracuse, N.Y., for a horse show and make a little extra cash.   "It was torture," Umla said of that first week. "It was really hard work, but at the end of the day, I'd made $300 in a weekend and I was thrilled with myself."

Since then, Umla has traveled all over the world, including two Olympics, braiding horse hair. She works about three or four nights a week, from midnight to 5 a.m.  "I like to get in and get out early," she said. "I have a life outside of the horse show."

During the day, she treats people with massage and acupuncture. "When my fingers stop working to do this, I can still stick needles in people," she said.   She divides her time between Wellington and Bedford, N.Y.   "No horses, no husband," Umla said of her lifestyle. "I have a cat, Oliver."  She began braiding as a young girl when she was showing horses. She describes herself as "over 40, but not pushing up the daisies yet."

Peewee's trainer, Holly Hays Orlando, said finding a good braider is important — and Umla is one of the best because she works fast and does great work. She said braids can make a difference inside the ring — especially in chichi Palm Beach. A bad braid job can mean no ribbon.

"Anybody can enter a show," Orlando said. "But at the level we're doing it, braids mean a lot. Most likely any horse you look at, especially here in Palm Beach, is going to be beautifully braided. The more braids the better."

And they are a tight-knit group, those braiders, Orlando said.   "All of them are really good friends," she said.   "Sometimes we have birthday parties," Umla said. "Somebody buys a cake and at 3 a.m. we all get together."

But for the most part, Umla said, she passes her time listening to her favorite a.m. radio station.   "I enjoy it, I enjoy the solitude, most of the horses are really quiet," Umla said. "That's the other nice thing about this job — I eat as much garlic as I want and these guys don't really complain."

Comments

[Lynnea]

Hi,
I enjoyed looking at the information you posted about horse shows. I also have a blog with typepad: www.orangehousephotos.typed.com and have posed images of my first horse show at Pebble Beach.

I went to take pictures of granddaughters and to just practice using my camera.

Your links are useful to learning more about the shows. Thanks for including them.

[Dani]

I need a braider for my District horse show. Where can I find one?

[julie rodriguez]

hello, my name is julie rodriguez and my daughter has a horse show on april 22 and we need someone to braid her horses mane and tail..she will be showing at plantation acres in plantation, florida
if you could please call me 954 3473173 for more information that would be great
thank you
-julie-

[John Bordeaux]

Linda Umla? Did she go to school in Oceanside, by any chance?

[Jen]

would love to get into this type of work. any suggestions as to the best way to learn this art? Love horses, but don't have the place for one right now. This type of work would afford me the much desired time with them as well as earning money. Thanks for any info you may be able to lend me.

[HEATHER]

aM VERY INTERESTED IN THIS LINE OF WORK AM A VERY GOOD BRAIDER, I DO EXTENTIONS AND THE WHOLE WORKS,WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH HORSES,WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFO?

[HEATHER]

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPLY,IT WAS VERY HELPFUL .DO I NEED A LICENSE FOR THIS?