This past week, I had the exciting opportunity to travel to the Dixie Nationals Quarter Horse Show in Jackson, Mississippi for an official Congress Queen Appearance. This was such an amazing show! I had honor of presenting the class awards throughout the week, participating in the grand entry of the freestyle reining class, and appearing at the Dixie Nationals Annual Sale that was held on Saturday morning.
Although I was very busy with my “queenly” duties, I of course had to make time to get some shopping done at the Trade Show. With nearly 100 vendors set up, this was a MUST SEE shopping experience! For those of you that weren’t able to shop firsthand, I spoke with five of my favorite vendors to gather information about, “What’s HOT for the upcoming Spring Show Season.” From everything to stylish jeans, boots, hat colors, and tack … I have the fashion scoop for all the GoHorseShow readers.
I first spoke with Babs Bryant of Lagrange Leather to get further insight about popular boots for this spring. As an avid wearer of Lagrange boots myself, I absolutely love how Babs caters her boot designs to all of the “fashion forward” gals in the show industry.
After speaking with her, she described how she has always followed the upscale runway trends of top designers seen both in Paris and New York. Babs informed me that it is ALL about metallics this spring! Another HOT item will continue to be patent leather boots, which Lagrange makes in nearly every color. I have been rocking the navy patent leather boots, as well as the black and silver metallic patent leather boots already this spring. This is a HOT item that every fashion forward girl needs to add to her wardrobe!
Also, I spoke with Phil Harris about the latest trends for tack this spring. He spoke about how Harris Leather and Silverworks has been making several saddles with the tri-colored ostrich (using black and natural, brandy and natural, nicotine and natural, or stone and natural). Phil says that one of the HOTTEST trends for this upcoming show season is to now match your headstalls using the same ostrich colors found in your Harris Saddle. They produce a variety of custom headstalls, using the ostrich print in the background of the buckles. He also explains that the heavy look of the silver designs (especially rope designs) will remain popular this year. Be sure to contact Harris Leather and Silverworks to get that one of a kind saddle and headstall to really stick out in the show pen this upcoming season!
Also at the Dixie Nationals, I met up with Brook Parrish of Kendalls Western Hats to get the scoop on the HOTTEST hat colors for spring. Brook informed me that gunmetal colors (grays and charcoals) will be very popular. He predicts that they will be the hottest new color to hit the show ring, and that rich chocolates and tans will remain popular, as well. Visit Brook at an upcoming show to get fitted for that perfect new hat to top off your western attire!
I also caught up with Shannon Fisher of Shannon Rene Designs to talk about her latest product buzzing around the horse show industry. Shannon is truly one of the most creative women I know and I have been a longtime buyer of her beautiful custom jewelry. Shannon has broadened her line of designs this spring, as she has begun making custom wreaths. These are a MUST SEE! I am having her design one for me with a “Congress Queen” theme in mind.
Also, remaining HOT for the ladies this spring is plain, fitted show shirts. These have been very popular for the past year and are predicted to remain in style. Show Diva sells fitted shirts ranging from size extra small to 1X. Top these shirts off with a nice scarf and show pad to accent the colors to achieve that winning look!
With “Quick Tips from the Congress Queen,” I suggest you all get out and purchase these HOT new items for Spring to be sure you are up-to-date on the latest trends inside and outside of the show pen in the horse industry!
Courtney Sturgill
2011 Congress Queen
(Pictured left, Congress Queen Courtney Sturgill with Shannon Fisher of Shannon Rene Designs)
