hi shiney mole - re banded mains, at a lot of the Aqha shows you will find youth riders offering banding services, they'll do it the night before your class and just pop a hood on overnight. It takes a bit of practice but once you've done it a few times you can get that nice flat look. Baileyboots (on this forum) used to do ours as I was so rubbish at it, but eventually managed to get almost as good as she is!!   

The trouble is I am going up for the day on the Saturday as its only an hour or so for me, so I dont know if I will have time to have it done before my classes..
Thats something to bear in mind though - thanks for the info!

My husband just said "You on that horsey forum again?"
And I didnt reply
and then he said "is it because western horsey people are nicer that ordinary people?"
And I said "Yep!!!!"

We do it at the ApHC national show for under threes i think it is, i think its a really good class ive done it with my youngster every year she has gone and has come second twice, she enjoys doing it gives her something to focus on and teaches her to be a little more careful and foucesed

Well if you are planning to come to the AQHA show on the 29th Sept come and say hello! My youngster is a sorrel with four white socks, a white blaze, and a roan blanket over his back and quarters - so you cant miss us!!