western showmanship

Question
My daughter rides games, but a requirement of our 4-H club is that you have to compete in a showmanship class once a year. Since she is a game horse, we really don't want to cut her mane off to band it for 1 class (I like free flowing manes) But I was wondering, for a western showmanship class, if I don't want to band what do you think would be the next best thing, leaving the mane alone of braiding it? Thanks

Answer
Hi JoAnne,

Sounds like your daughter has a really great time with her horse and like you, I love flowing manes. I would do what's called a Diamond Band, here is a link to a photohttp://ehorseequipment.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2532. Don't go all the way to the bottom, just do two, tops, three rows. And then I'd even the bottom up, if there are any stragly ends, but snipping them at an angle with scissors. And good luck at the show!

Best Wishes,  Jen