Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak. -Rachel Zoe
In the many years of horse showing, we’ve seen many trends come and go- the
tall crowned and short brimmed hats, the scalloped chaps, the colorful breeches and
most notably of all, bling. Styles have evolved and fashion has entered the game.
Although horse shows are truly about showing off the horse’s abilities, they have also
become an avenue to express your one of a kind style and meticulously choose an
ensemble that accentuates you and your horse. Deciphering your personal style within
the horse show arena can be a tricky process, but there are a few areas to focus on that
can help you create your signature look.
Start with the basics. Before overwhelming yourself with the “what ifs” of which
type of garment is right for you, focus on your color story. Picking the perfect color story
for you and your horse will pack the most punch regardless of if you choose to go blingy
or minimalistic. To start, decide if you want to go neutral, colorful or neutral with a pop
of color. Based on the color of your horse, search for complimentary colors. The
intention is to accent their color- not fight against it. Pay attention to depth of color and
undertones- are they a deep liver chestnut or a pale sorrel color? Steer clear of pale
colors on lighter horses so you don’t compete with their pale coloring. Balance your look
with rich colors which can be incorporated in your hat, top, chaps, tack and pad. These
tricks will help you put together a killer color story (pro tip: Pinterest is your best
friend!). Here’s a quick cheat sheet to some incredible combos:
Horse Color | Accent Color | Neutral Colors | Tips / Tricks |
Bay Brown Black Gray | Purple: Eggplant, Royal Purple Blue: Royal Blue, Aqua, Teal Pink: Hot Pink, Fushia, Raspberry Red: Cherry Red, Deep Red, Burgundy | Black Chocolate Taupe Copper Rose Gold Camel Rust Black Gray / Gunmetal Silver | This group usually goes well in any color. Generally, I suggest pick a rich, bright pop of color to pair with neutrals that match your horse. i.e. Sooty-Bay: Royal Purple with Taupe, Copper and Black |
Buckskin Palomino Cremello / Perlino | Rich Jewel Tones Blue: Navy, Peacock Blue Blue / Greens: Teal, Jade, Mint Green: Olive, Sage, Emerald, Forest Purple: Eggplant, Royal Purple, Amethyst | Earth Tones Chocolate Taupe Copper Rose Gold Black Camel Whiskey | Go rich and bold and accent with coordinating neutral colors tying in your horse. i.e. Teal, Camel, Taupe, and Black |
Liver Chestnut Sorrel Chestnut | Jewel Tones Purple: Lavender, Eggplant, Royal Purple Green: Kelly, Olive, Sage Blue: Royal Blue, Teal, Baby Blue, Peacock Blue, Navy | Orangey Coppers Rose Gold Camel Taupe Chocolate Black | Typically avoid red/rust tones. Can go rich or pastel and accent with coordinating neutral colors tying in your horse. i.e. Chestnut with Olive Green, Camel, Chocolate and Orangey Copper |
Blue Roan Red Roan Bay Roan | Jewel Tones mixed with Pastels Lavender, Baby Blue, Sage Green, Baby Pink, Cream, White | Refer to color families above. | Stick with the color families of their base color (Chestnut, Black and Bay) and accent their roaning with pastel accents. i.e. Blue roan with Purple, Berry, Lavender and Black |
To summarize, pick colors that will compliment your horse and add a unique twist to
keep it interesting. Most all horses will look good in blue. When in doubt, stick with the
neutrals. And always keep an accurately colored picture of your horse on hand- you
never know when inspiration will strike!
Now that you’ve created a unique color story, let's figure out the type of garment
that will suit you best. For starters, think about what classes you plan to show in. There
aren’t necessarily “rules” to what you can and cannot show in for specific classes, but
there are some unspoken guidelines that are typically followed. Generally speaking, the
fashion trends are as follows:
Halter
Tailored Suit, Blazer (w/ Jeans) or Showmanship Jacket (w/ Fitted Slacks), NO FRINGE
Showmanship
Tailored Suit or Blinged out Jacket (w/ Fitted Slacks), NO FRINGE
Horsemanship
Back Zip shirt w/ upper body and arms embellished, Day Shirt, Fitted Button up, NO
FRINGE
Western Pleasure/Trail/Western Riding
Blinged out Jacket, Vest set, Fringe, Day Shirt, Fitted Button Up
Reining
Fitted Button up, Blinged out Day Shirt, Vest Set or Jacket
Ranch Riding
NO BLING, Fitted Button up, Ranchy Vests (Denim, Fringe, Chonchos)
The key is to have a well fitted garment, whether it be a fitted button up, blingy vest, or a
jacket. A well fitted garment will speak for itself. Well fitted doesn’t have to be
expensive! Buy the best quality that you can afford and make it work. If a custom
garment is not in the cards, spend a little extra money and take your garments to a local
seamstress to have them tailored to fit.
Now for the fun part, make it you-nique! Add your personal style in. Find
inspiration in your daily life- your home decor, elements that you gravitate towards,
celebrity fashion or what TV shows and music you enjoy. Whether it be edgy, modern,
minimalistic or blingy, a signature look will not only make you look good, but feel good.
Confidence is key! There are so many ways to add your signature style within a garment.
-If you like a more minimalistic approach, consider a tailored closet of well
fitted, well made and high quality garments. Make a classy statement with a fitted shirt
with piping or a shirt with contrasting cuff and collar fabric. Perhaps you love the crazy
prints, but want to tone it down. Have a shirt made with a printed body, but solid sides,
cuff, collar and placket to break it up. There’s so much you can do with fabric alone!
Remember, minimalistic can be memorable.
-If you like more of a unique, one of a kind look, think outside of the box
and consider where to push the boundaries. Perhaps it’s a wild print fabric, fringe in
unique places or loaded with bling. A unique color story can set you apart and the right
designer will bring ideas to the table keeping your style in mind. One of my favorite ways
to add my personal touch is incorporating mixed metals into my design- a little bit edgy
with clean lines. Don’t be afraid to push the boundaries and create a signature look!
A little designer secret- have confidence in your designer! It’s tempting to want to
design the whole garment start to finish with your chosen designer, but remember, there
is a reason you chose said designer and their best work is typically done when creative
juices are flowing! Be clear and concise with what your style is and trust the process.
Find your style, create a signature look and rock it in the show pen! Many of
us show horses because it's a hobby, something we enjoy in our off time. However,
showing horses goes beyond the show pen. There are hours of blood, sweat and tears
involved, financial stresses and “real life” problems. At the end of the day, enjoy yourself
in the show pen and express yourself through your horse show style.
