Synchronicity is a term sometimes
referred to in riding; but in this case, it has nothing to do with getting
together with your horse. Have you ever
had a series of coincidences and occurrences with another person which make you
wonder if it is déjà vu, or you were simply separated at birth? I recently have experienced this odd phenomenon and it’s with All That Show
Clothing’s owner, Tammy Schuster-Benes.
Hopefully, many of you amazing
readers have noticed that my GoHorseShow.com column now proudly has an
“official” sponsor, All That Show Clothing. So what does this have to do with synchronicity,
you ask? Turns out that business owner Tammy Schuster-Benes and I seem to have
“All That” going on – no pun intended! I’ve
always thought that All That Show Clothing’s line is simply amazing. Tammy is
such a strong business woman so I was really curious as to how she got her
start. Little did I know, that I was
about to embark on a journey of how many different ways you can connect the
dots in the horse industry!
First thing I learned was that Tammy
was raised in Connecticut near Applewood Farm where my Dad trained world class reining
horses for top fashion designer, John Meyer.
Okay, I know my Dad has no
fashion sense, but he did work for a very famous fashionister! Seems Tammy’s brothers enjoyed riding reiners
in the once sleepy town of Ledyard near the Mystic Seaport, which led to our respective
father’s longtime mutual friendship. This is where the story begins. I can
recall loving fashion for as long as I can remember, so I am going to credit my
Dad’s stories about the glamorous life of John Meyer as my first serious
introduction to fashion history. Perhaps
it also rubbed off on my fashion loving sponsor, Tammy too. Apparently, Mr. Meyer inspired greatness
because iconic designer Perry Ellis got his start at John Meyer’s empire. Anyway, it sounds good!
While her brothers were off
spinning and stopping at Applewood, Tammy was enjoying a string of starter
horses which led her to her first serious equine partner, a world champion hunter
under saddle horse named, Majestic Rascal.
Betcha didn’t know that my first serious horse was Nitrojon, pictured here at the Congress in 2003. Nitrojon was
also a world champion hunter under saddle horse, just like Majestic Rascal. And although a generation apart, did I
mention that the legendary Sandy Vaughn helped coach both Tammy and me with
these horses? The similarities don’t stop there.
As far as family values are
concerned, Tammy and I are also on the same page. As the product of entrepreneurial parents who
owned a highly successful trucking firm, Tammy remarks that “On the road to
success, work comes before fun. When that’s achieved the rest comes easy.” Crediting
her foundation as a competitor, college graduate and successful business owner
to strong family ties, Tammy has a loving husband, Edgar and family of her own
today. Nine times out of ten when you
see the Benes clan, Tammy’s mother and father are not more than one step
behind. I absolutely love and admire
that kind of family unity. Of the successful people that I have the
privilege to interview, family is almost always an inspiration for their
success. I love to joke that I am “almost
famous” for my colorful, but doting parents.
Like Tammy, I can’t imagine life on the road without my Mom and Dad at
any age! Tammy sums it up best when she
says of her parents, “They mean the world to me.” Ditto!
Growing up, Tammy had a lot of
friends in the horse industry who have gone on to be the mothers of her
daughter’s friends today. Up and coming
youth competitor, Cydney Benes is a chip off the old block who shares her
Mother’s love of horses and also inspired her mother’s custom youth clothing
line. Most of you know that my Dad is also
a Sidney who Tammy refers to as “Uncle Sid.”
Our stars crossed again when I was shopping for a new hunt seat horse, and
fell madly in love with Naturally Bionic (pictured here) who
was a little too green for me at the time.
Tammy ended up buying the horse without any knowledge that I had looked
at him. After deciding he was best
suited to the hunter discipline, Tammy later sold the horse through one of my
trainers, Alfred Hewitt. The bad news
for Tammy and I is that Alfred went on to make the horse a World Champion! I
guess we even share mistakes!
Then there are the dogs. Oh yes, they are related too. We have a blue merle
Aussie, Ellie who chases my dad around faithfully at the shows, and yes, she is a litter
mate and full sister to Tammy’s Aussie.
We purchased them totally independently of each other with no knowledge
that the other person was even shopping.
I promise we don’t plan these things.
They just end up being coincidence.
Recently, we did it again. Remember my prom story? No, Tammy and I didn’t wear the same dress (BTW, I wore the Tony Bowls “Le Gala” collection white chiffon strapless gown with
turquoise print and beaded embellishments pictured here – thank you readers for your thousands of votes!)
but Tammy and I do have another ironic connection.
My date was my longtime friend, Nick Murphy. Truth is stranger than fiction because
Tammy’s high school prom date was actually Nick’s Dad – Mike Murphy! I couldn’t make that up if I tried!
All That Show Clothing came to
fruition when Tammy’s family sold the trucking business, and put her in an
unsettling early retirement at 40. While traveling to a show in Kentucky one
late night with dear friend, Emily Whitaker-Ortega, Tammy came up with the concept
and the name “All That” and it stuck.
The super cute logo in our mutually fave color, pink (of course) was
inspired by her love of the Juicy Couture Flagship store in Manhattan.
[NPI
Float=”left”]/Media/4/jpg/2010/6/3e4c721d-b5c9-340c-9c21146a4ec0299e.jpg[/NPI]Although Tammy’s mother likes to
say that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, Tammy prefers her
merchandise to be exclusive and unique.
With so many vendors competing for the market share at horse shows,
Tammy likes to be the first to introduce specific trends and pieces starting
with a line of jeans from LA that everyone loves!. Her motto is to keep the industry coming back
through quality, pricing and customer service.
Their line of custom made showmanship, pleasure and horsemanship
outfits, along with men’s and women’s
custom shirts, are set apart by the details which include trends, color, hand
painting, air brushing and other customizing.
Competitively priced English hunt coats start at $150.00 from
Wellington, Marigold and RJ Classics. Discerning men looking for flawlessly fitted one
of a kind dress shirts are in great hands.
Her staff tailors and seamstresses cater to the top clients in society,
including patrons of Saks, and Neiman Marcus.
The hot men’s line will make its debut at the Little Futurity. In a
time when we all need a little political correctness, the good news is – the
line of shirts ARE MADE IN THE USA!
Notable clientele include Trish Yamber, Susie Jeane, the gorgeous
McMullen sisters (Lindsey and Megan), and oh yeah, me….Dakota!!!!
Tammy classifies All That as a unique boutique and not just another mobile trailer. She clarifies that “I think what sets us apart from other
vendors is our quest to always try something new and not just accept
mediocre. We have new fresh ideas for
the industry and some work, some don’t.
You have to try out your ideas and test the market.” I love marketing and think my strategy has
been to make shopping fun and a great experience every time you walk into our
mobile unit. I am a nut about meeting
deadlines when I promise an outfit or deliver an item that is ordered. You can always find fun, candy, snacks and
even mimosas at the mobile unit. If you
are not having fun at our mobile trailer than we are just not “All That!!!!”
Don’t let her simplistic approach
fool you. Tammy secret is something she
refers to as the “Juggle.” When asked “How
do you handle kids, a job, husband and horses”, she says firmly, “Let’s put it
this way. I am blessed. I have the most amazing husband who fully
supports my hobby as well as my new endeavor of “All That”. Edgar is always there to help me pack up for
a show, or bounce ideas off of. Now
here’s something we can all relate to!!!
Edgar avidly reads GoHorseShow.com to keep up-to-date on the horseshow
industry and has learned how to ‘talk the talk’ with Cydney and Tammy. Smart guy that Edgar! Their son is a star quarterback who LOVES the
male to female ratio at the horse shows, and therefore is very
supportive of their hobby!
Juggle also includes making tons of
lists for everyone, communicating with the kids “all the time by phone,” and
immersing herself in their interests.
Just like her Schuster roots would dictate, Tammy holds family sacred, and balances football games and school activities. One of her keys to juggling are wonderful
people like mobile unit partner, Sarah Denninghoff, and girlfriend Emily. At the
end of the day, family comes first.
Fashion tips from Tammy… I had to ask her about bringing back rust breeches which she made look oh-so-hot in 1982. She said that it has been on her mind and that
she has wanted to bring back rust breeches for years. Who knows, maybe this will be the year. While
she believes in very conservative jackets and shirts for the equitation classes,
she thinks there is room for some sparkle in hunter under saddle as long as it
remains tasteful. Sounds like our
friend, Sandy Vaughn speaking! Tammy
said “you do not want to take away from the big picture – YOU and your HORSE.” Look for jacket colors in rich chocolates
(hey that’s my trademark color!) and gray tones, although black and dark blues
are still a favorite.
Color trends for summer are yellow,
hot pink, black, slate gray and white is always
hot, including the MUST HAVE – WHITE JEANS!!!!
Pearls are making a big comeback along with chunky metals. Whew, I was sure happy to hear that bling
never goes out of style, and have to admit that I blushed when Tammy said she
admired my edgy looks.
Tammy’s interest peaked with GoHorseShow.com
as she believed the web site and marketing to be “phenomenal.” Noting that many people spend so much of
their time on a computer during the day and evening surfing the web, she felt “what
better way to spread the news of All That than to be a part of the most
professional, moral and attractive website in the industry which is reaching
out to so many people and horseman.” Coming
from a retired VP of a major trucking firm, this lady knows her stuff! After watching the GoHorseShow.com site
evolve, Tammy believed that sponsorship was just logical. I couldn’t agree more! See what I mean – we are synchronized.
Watch for the mobile unit at most of
the major events, including the hot new double booth at Congress. You will find Tammy competing at a horse show
near you with her new hunter under saddle horse Call Me Blazin Hot and daughter
Cydney with Rockin Raisinette, both under the direction of trainers Carl and
Trish Yamber and Manita McKool and Dean Bogart. In the meantime, please visit
the All That Show Clothing website or call them 561.866.6074 for that extra special custom
look.
Tip of the day: Go Green and Think Pink!
Xoxo,
Dakota
Photos courtesy KC Montgomery, Harold Campton, Jeff Kirkbride, Gretchen Griggs.
