We had so much fun honoring the fashionista hunt riders of the Morgan Grand National & World Championship 2019, we decided to do it again- but this year the people voted! And boy did you turn out! We received over 400 entries and we compiled your top ten! Without further adieu here they are, and tips on how to rock their style!
10. Jennifer Grey & Live Action
Jennifer Grey has been a style icon in the Morgan breed for almost 50 years. Mother of Katie Mair, Sterling Training Center's trainer- we all know where Katie got her excellent sense of style and outfitting riders (her Momma!) This hunt seat fashionista has admittedly been one of my favorite dressed hunt riders for many years, and she has clearly impressed the voters this year!
The bold larger print check is eye catching while remaining traditional and classy. The pale blue fabric compliments Jenny's eyes and fair complexion, and looks stunning paired with her horses dark coat. Jenny is a wonderful example of a rider who is exceptional at limiting her accessories, and following the rule of 4's to create a crisp yet dramatic look, without being gaudy. Never forget the words of wisdom from Helen Crabtree, “Like any other part of the riding picture, tone it down when in doubt.”
Purchasing both jacket and shirt at the same time not only is hugely beneficial to your clothier in having fabric scraps left over in the construction of your jacket, but also to you in putting together a look! You can see that the same material used to make the hunt coat is also used as an accent on her collar. This makes the outfit look intentional, cohesive, and purposeful. It's the attention to finite details such as this which take a rider from simply looking put together, to stealing the show.
Get this look! These bold fabrics will get you seen, and make a statement.
$18.00 / Yard $20.00 / Yard $185.00 / Yard
Carlos Barbera Caramonte Schofield & Smith
100% Wool 100% Wool 60% Silk 40%Wool
To Help You Visualize: Below we've attached a picture of a jacket we made with the Carlos Barbera fabric listed above for comparison of size and color.
9. Reece Hart & Century Oak Night Moves
Voters LOVED Reece Hart's dusty rose evening look, fawning over its color. One voter wrote "I've never seen a jacket this color and it looked stunning on her!" We couldn't agree more! The color compliments Reece's fair complexion and is a modern take on elevated evening wear, especially suitable for a ladies class!
Reece had an exceptional week with her mount Century Oak Night Moves taking home top ribbons and national titles. We love the look of the black breeches! Mauve and black pair beautifully together!
Get this look! These pale rose, mauve tones range from no shine, to high shine featuring small patterns and fine plaid.
$22.00 / Yard $25.00 / Yard $45.00 / Yard
Caramonté Super 160's Caramonté Super 160's Custom Import
100% Wool 100% Wool 100% Silk
What we'd pair it with? You could really have some fun with these suede options around the top collar, full pockets or under the wrist buttons for some added flare! #20, #22 and #23 could all work!
8. Hyelim Shin & Key Constellation
Pale blue paired with brown accents has been one of my favorite combinations for years, and clearly this years voters agreed as they drooled over Hyelim Shin's outfit! Hyelim created a cohesive look of black, brown, blue and white with varying patterns.
She did so by incorporating those colors throughout the entire look. Pearl earrings expertly paired to her shirt and plaid within the jacketing fabric. Black boots, cap, gloves and the piping of the shirt collar. Blue jacket fabric, and blue check in the collar. The French blue color is expertly paired with her complexion, and compliments her horse's bay coat. Hyelim showed great attention to detail both in and out of the ring!
Get this look! These baby blues will pair beautifully with brown tones and vary in level of sheen.
$18.00 / Yard $20.00 / Yard $185.00 / Yard
Carlos Barbera Caramonte Schofield & Smith
100% Wool 100% Wool 60% Silk 40%Wool
What we'd pair it with? These microsuede fabrics look like faux velvet and #5, #7 and #12 are all beautiful with pale blue.
7. Emily Cleland & Deliver The Dream GCH
Emily Cleland wowed the crowd not only with her flawless rides and world championship win, but also her stunning iridescent brocade hunt coat! Brocade silks are often two different colored dyed silks, woven together. This results in an iridescent fabric which acts like a chameleon in different light. This stunning baby blue floral pattern has buttery golden undertones, which Emily has expertly paired with a subtle buttercup yellow cotton shirt
Emily is another example of someone who showed restraint in her accents. With a fabric as bold and eye catching as Emily's she made the right decision to keep the jacket simple, without need for additional accent choices and a solid colored shirt allowing the jacket fabric to speak for itself. It is imperative to remember that pleasure horses are ultimately judged on the total overall picture of horse and rider together, and a rider having "too much going on" is going to appear distracting against a rider with a more cohesive look.
Expert Tip! When choosing a brocade silk for a hunt or day coat, always try to order a swatch if possible. Due to the iridescent nature of silks, they are notoriously difficult to photograph. To ensure you LOVE the fabric, always get a swatch in person!
$22.00/ Yard $28.00 / Yard $35.00 / Yard
Custom Import Custom Import Custom Import
100% Silk 100% Silk 100% Silk
6. Meara Kent & Century Oak The Wizard GCH
Meara Kent is a rider outfitted by us, and we're so honored you liked it! Meara took home top ribbons in both pleasure and equitation in Oklahoma, with flawless rides and top voted style. It's even more impressive that Meara competes with the same horse in both divisions!
As mentioned last year, when wearing the color red (or "pinque") it is important to remember it's historical context in the fox hunting field, where the color is earned and pay it the same respect. Meara and Century Oak The Wizard GCH have certainly earned the respect of their fellow competitors, and do the color justice with subtle and traditional outfit pairings. White shirt with matching red wrap collar, and fawn colored breeches.
Get this look! These red fabrics feature small patterns and high sheen. Meara's fabric is a black and red woven cashmere blend which appears brighter or darker depending on the light she's in, it's reversible too!
$18.00 / Yard $20.00 / Yard $45.00 / Yard
Ceremonia *Meara's Fabric Ceremonia Custom Import
40% Cashmere 60% Wool 60% Cashmere 40% Wool 100% Silk
5. Jenna Day & Lucky Strike GCH
Lucky Strike GCH is another celebrity equine for the hunt riders 14-17, and this year brought home roses paired with mount Jenna Day. Cranberry has been THE color this season, but Jenna does an exceptional job at muting the bold color with classic black and gold accents.
Now we have had A LOT of people asking about the back piping on Jenna's outfit! At first we thought this trend was the appropriation of Quarter horse style "rail coats" or showmanship jackets, but after seeing this trend spike, we've changed our tune and started offering the belt piping as an option for riders looking for this unique touch.
It's important to note that when adding this accent you are drawing the eye to the center of the rider, and tricking the eye with a more hourglass silhouette. This can be beneficial for creating shape for a more slim rider, but may want to be considered when outfitting a curvier equestrian athlete.
Paired with a beautiful crisp white linen shirt with piping to compliment boots, cap and gloves, and featuring a snaffle bit accent on her collar to tie in her gold accents, every aspect has been throughly planned out. As much polish and finesse was put into each of Jenna's rides this week, and her flawless goes brought her home a reserve world title.
If you chose a bold eye catching jacket fabric, the rest of your outfit should be quiet, balanced or traditional. Whereas if opting for a more subdued or muted jacket fabric, your shirt, jacket details and accessories can be bolder and less restrained! Jenna did a great job with limiting, and we know it's hard! You don't want to appear too "busy" so the simple rule of limiting will help you greatly when outfitting, choosing accents and accessorizing!
Get this look! These cranberry and red fabrics feature plaid patterns, with varying levels of sheen. Undertones can be used for accent pairings!
$22.00/ Yard $18.00 / Yard $189.00 / Yard
Caramonté Super 160's Carlos Barbera Schofield & Smith*
100% Wool 100% Wool 60% Silk / 40% Wool
4. Abigail Marry & CBMF Sinatra CH
Abigail Marry made a statement in her stunning cornflower blue hunt coat. The high sheen and Moroccan-esque pattern is as unique as they come. Abby's partner CBMF Sinatra CH has a strikingly beautiful blue eye which has been brilliantly considered into her outfit.
Remember that outfitting ultimately serves a purpose, wether in the equitation ring to help accentuate strengths and hide weaknesses, or in the pleasure ring to better unify a horse and rider. Our Trainer Questionnaire helps to assess areas where tailoring could benefit your fit, form and complete image! Try to avoid colors just because they're your favorite, but instead consider factors such as your horse's coat color and the rider's complexion.
Abby is another prime example of a rider showing restraint in her outfitting and letting the jacket fabric speak for itself. In limiting her ensemble to only 2 colors, it keeps attention on the beauty of her rides, and the clean crisp lines of a polished rider! Clearly the judges in Oklahoma agreed, earning her a reserve world title, but so did the fans voting for her as one of the best dressed hunt riders of 2020!
Get this look! These fabrics all honor the traditional blue, while keeping you modern with small patterns and high shine.
$25.00 / Yard $45.00 / Yard $45.00 / Yard
FASCINO Super 180's Custom Import Custom Import
40% Silk / 60% Wool 100% Silk 100% Silk
3. Zoe Kovanis-Wilson & Qua-Drangle GCH 💛🏆 WINNER!
The tiny trotter Zoe Kovanis-Wilson stole the hearts of our voters, pulling in the third most votes and taking home our final gift certificate. Zoe had beautiful rides in OKC aboard her mount Qua-Drangle GCH. Her adorable purple paisley brocade hunt coat is both age appropriate and masterfully tailored to showcase her riding ability. I'd be willing to bet purple is her favorite color, and she's got great taste as purple was the second most requested fabric color this show season!
Parents did you know that often a custom jacket can actually SAVE you money in the long run? As seen here, Zoe's jacket features a square panel front. This allows for additional let out as she grows taller. We are also able to do "false fronts" with snap closures instead of button holes to allow for additional let out in the chest. These features are rarely found in off rack jackets, and are likely to be outgrown far quicker.
Get this look! Purple brocade is a popular look! Shop these similar fabrics in stock below, and peep one we made just like it!
$30.00 / Yard $25.00 / Yard $45.00 / Yard
Custom Import Custom Import Custom Import
100% Silk 100% Silk 100% Silk
2. Nicole Bennett & Come Get It ❤️🏆 WINNER!
We are proud to have outfitted Nicole Bennet in this unique ensemble, and that ya'll liked it so much! Nicole's suiting fabric is woven with metallic thread to give this jacket a unique glittering effect without being over-the-top. Available in 6 different colors, Nicole selected the chocolate brown option and paired it with black and brown accents to make the outfit wearable with black or brown boots, cap, and gloves. Trimmed with a brown suede top collar and wood buttons, these accents beautifully tie in the warm chocolate notes while the black edge piping compliment her black accents.
She paired this look with an amber colored satin dickie with piping and embroidery to match the black accents of her jacket. These colors beautifully accent the seal bay points of her cute as a button horse Come Get It, and they not only are taking home a reserve world championship, but also a gift card from us!
Get this look! These gold fabrics all feature a small pattern and high sheen with black undertones
$17.99 / Yard $20.00 / Yard $185.00 / Yard
Ceremonia (Nicole's Fabric) Custom Import Schofield & Smith
Wool/Poly Blend 100% Silk 60% Silk 40%Wool
What we'd pair it with? Pair your brown look with either black or brown suede top collar, and dozens of ratcatcher shirt or dickie options.
1. Michelle Quinlisk & SPR Wing It 💙🏆 WINNER!
Michelle Quinlisk is no stranger to the winner's circle. Michelle and her horse SPR Wing It have taken countless victory passes in the Amateur Hunter Pleasure division, as well as crowned best dressed hunt riders for both 2019 and 2020. This fashionista is consistently tailored to perfection, in bold yet flattering suiting fabrics which compliment the overall picture of horse and rider.
Michelle's knocked this outfit out of the park with a larger print black and white check patterned fabric. Following the rule of 4's for outfitting riders, we recommend keeping the total colors of your entire outfit, head to toe, under 4 colors. What this means is that cap, boots, gloves, jacket, breeches, and shirt should all be limited to 4 colors total. Michelle has taken the minimalist approach with only 2 colors in the whole outfit, and has done it exceptionally well. We applaud the restraint and simplistic look, and the people clearly loved it too! Her outfit is cohesive, intentional, and bold while remaining polished and not too over done.
Get this look! These bold contrast black and white fabrics are eye catching, while remaining understated with small prints. Ranging from no shine (left), to high shine (right).
$20.00 / Yard $33.00 / Yard $190.00 / Yard
Custom Import Ceremonia Schofield & Smith*
Twill/Cotton Blend Wool/Poly Blend 60% Silk / 40% Wool
What we'd pair it with? Michelle's top collar gives a touch of sheen. You could either used a polished leather for a bit of an edgier rock n' roll vibe, or satin for a simple elegant look.
We want to thank everyone who participated in the Morgan Grand National & World Championship Best Dressed Hunt Riders 2020 vote! We had so much fun hosting it and wish you could all be winners, because you all slayed it!
And as always, if you need anything show outfit related- I'm always happy to assist!
-Bethea Alden Phelan
Owner at Alden Customs
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