Actually, after much discussion (where the princesses were sure I’d be drummed out of the club) I, (she who actually has hunted well) was trying in vain to prep him for a show. As I was doing his bridle path, my husband chose the exact moment when I was at the end of (or what should have been the end) the clipped portion, which caused Junior to turn his head. Fast. I have very, very good, sharp clippers, and his bridle path, was now a super highway about a foot long. My first reaction was s**t. My second was perhaps it was the sign I was looking for. (truth be told, it wasn’t going to take much or a sign) Off it came in whacking big, glorious chestnut hunks. He stood like a statue, even bringing his head down, as the haffie does when I give him his summer buzz. I did leave his forelock (helps to keep the flies off in summer) and I wasn’t sure what to do with the world’s best tail, do I braid or pull and bang? But I finished up his face and fetlocks and gave him a super bath. My neighbor, Rita, who is a superhorsewoman, and turn out nazi, had placed a horrified expresion on her face every time I threatened to roach him. She looked, smiled and said it made him look “noble”, fit to be a master’s horse in the finest hunt. Good enough for me. Since I havent’ been to a rated show since, I’m still not quite sure what to do with his tail, he has gorgeous hindquarters, and his tail drags the ground when it’s combed out, I think it would look good either way, so I’m open for suggestions. It really did cause me to wonder over the first couple of “holy cow” fences, but he’s got a big long neck that he sticks out there, wears a breastplate and I can still make a bridge with the best of them. If those things fail, and God is busy, well, I’m coming off anyway, humility is a good thing.