The prestigious summer shows and futurities have come and gone and most exhibitors are preparing for two of the most prominent AQHA events –The All-American Quarter Horse Congress and the AQHA World Show. The physical and mental preparation for both horse and rider is merely one piece of the overall picture.
Another piece is the careful thought and consideration exhibitors put into assembling a winning look that gives them confidence for a great performance. The goal of most exhibitors is to create a strong first impression and to also leave a positive lasting impression on the judges. With that in mind, Show Me Again interviewed several top female exhibitors and asked, “What factors do you consider when selecting your outfit for the Congress and World Shows?”
Color & Glitz
Nearly everyone agreed that the most important factor when considering a new outfit is color. AQHA High Point All-Around Amateur, Congress Champion and Reserve World Champion Kaleena Weakly (pictured right) says, “Color is a big factor for me. I look for a color that compliments me and my horse. I don’t want to blend in or be overlooked.”
Two-time Reserve Congress Champion Jenna Dempze (pictured left) agrees. She says, “I like to have my own style and compliment my horse’s color.” Jenna keeps it classic with enough pizzazz to be noticed. She starts with black chaps and hat as her base and has several versatile jackets that coordinate with black rather than one colored outfit. Although she doesn’t have a favorite color, Jenna really likes red and blue since it looks nice on her bay horse. “It makes me feel lucky!”
Most of us love the glitz and glamour found on many of today’s outfits, but too much of a good thing can be distracting. Finding the balance between the right colors with the right amount of glitz is the key to providing you with a classy outfit that will get you noticed. Kara Oldford, AQHA High Point All-Around Youth and Two-Time Congress Champion favors outfits with lots of sparkle but nothing over-the-top. Her chosen colors are always black and white, with a hint of red because she thinks it looks great with her black horse.
Select World Champion Renee Howes suggests that exhibitors take into consideration their age and body type when choosing a color. Renee currently wears navy which is very age appropriate and is complimentary to both her and her bay horse.
Maggie Kerola, Multiple Congress Top Ten winner prefers to choose a particular color scheme for each horse. “My mare, Fashionably Invited, looks great with reds and blacks so that is all you see in my horse show closet.”
Multiple Congress Champion, Lindsey McMullen begins planning her Congress and World Show outfits long in advance. She says, I like to pick a color that complements me and my horse. I choose something that is age appropriate.”
Maggie Bellville, multiple Select World Champion and Congress top-ten finisher says, “The horse’s color and how you complement it is exceedingly important.” Some designers are focused on the bling that will get you noticed from afar, but she prefers “elegance, sophistication, and a business-like approach to the more serious halter classes.”
Design & Fit
Although it is important that you keep abreast of the latest styles and trends in the show pen, it is not essential that you force yourself to wear what’s hot. Not everyone can, or should, wear the latest rage in fashion. Find a style that is flattering to your figure. Trends come and go, but good taste is always in style.
Renee Howes (pictured left) believes “the fit and cut are most important.” Even the most expensive fabric looks cheap if it doesn’t fit properly. “I am fortunate to work with designer Melinda Gillette of Undercover and she creates amazing clothes for me!” Renee feels it is important to give Melinda the design control. “Melinda knows what I like and what will pop in the ring, while I have a tendency to be more subdued. I’m not big into trends since that can limit the life of your clothes.” Renee states that you should take into consideration the judges point of view when following trends. “Two women judges recently commented to me on the shorter jacket lengths in showmanship and stated emphatically they did not like the shorter length jackets, but perhaps male judges would answer differently!”
Alexa Rowland, Two-Time Reserve Congress Champion sums up her strategy “When putting together a perfect outfit for the Congress or World Show, the ingredients simply include a sweet design, eye appealing colors, and a massive amount of crystals.”
Jenna Dempze adds “When designing a jacket I like geometric shapes and asymmetrical designs. I’m not a fan of putting flowers or animals on my clothes.” Jenna loves the look of big, chunky crystals and studs that are very popular right now.
“One of my favorite parts of showing are the clothes!” says Maggie Kerola (pictured here). “I get a rush from planning an outfit for a big event.” Her clothes are made by Berry Fit. “I love to stay on top of the trends and will always step outside the box with my showmanship clothes.” Occasionally Maggie likes to get creative and put a different, fun collar on her jackets and unique design on the cuffs.
Lindsey McMullen considers designs that will flatter her figure. She prefers vertical lines to maintain a long torso. “I like a tuck-in shirt for horsemanship with a base color accented with a different lighter color, such as silver or white. For other classes I love to mix it up,” says Lindsey. She feels very lucky to have an artistic clothing designer that has pushed her towards creative and original outfits. Most recently, they added fringe to her outfits to create a ‘western feel.’
For western pleasure, Maggie Bellville (pictured left) went with a ‘cowboy look’ this year at the Select World that was fun and light in the pen. A recent trend is to coordinate your hat with your outfit. “Shorty’s made a hat for me with calf-hide in the brim, then provided pieces of the calf hide and whip stitching to Paula Diuri of Paula’s Place, who made a coordinating white and tan leather jacket with conchos for my Western Pleasure outfit. I believe that attention to small details are make a noticeable impression.”
Personality & Style
Exhibitors want their personality to shine through in their clothing choices. While it is imperative to wear something of currently styling, no one wants to see their outfit on someone else in a different or worse yet, the same class. Nearly every piece you see at these top level shows is a one-of-a-kind creation by one of the industry’s top clothing designers.
Kaleena Weakly believes it is essential to set your own individual style and to be recognizable. “I like to have a one-of-a-kind outfit for the Congress and World; something classy, eye-catching, with lots of detail and great craftsmanship. I like asymmetrical designs and designers that think outside of the box!”
Multiple Congress, World, and AQHA High Point Champion Kristen Galyean (pictured left) notes, “I dedicate hours and hours of preparation to the Congress and World shows to ensure my horses are performing at their peak. Since I am confident with my horses, I choose very bold outfits.” Kristen prefers something different that really “wows” the crowd upon entering the pen and she recommends you work with a designer who knows your personality and your horse.
Renee Howes starts with envisioning the picture she wants to present. “I like a more elegant, more subtle look, yet want to have my own distinctive style.”
Gillian Chant, multiple Congress Champion and AQHYA World Show Top Ten winner works with the innovative mind of Kevin Garcia when putting together her outfits. She is flexible for every class except the horsemanship. “I am very picky about my outfit for that class! An ideal outfit combines classic, flattering lines with a modern effect.” She favors strong, square shoulders and believes the top base color should always match your chaps to create a long line. She states, “I want a noticeable outfit that leaves a lasting impression, not something distracting.”
Congress Champion and World Show Top Ten winner Margaret Storrs focuses on complimenting her personality. She likes a bright solid color with plenty of stones. “I keep the design simple but want lots of glitz! When I walk into the pen I want the judges to notice me and not get lost in the crowd.” She feels that your outfit should look like “you” and fit your persona. She encourages others to find their own style, be unique, and never be afraid to be different!
Since there are so many individual styles and themes in the show pen today, Lindsey encourages others to wear what they like the most, “It’s all about personal taste and starting new trends!”
Details & Venue
Kaleena Weakly says, “It is important for the outfit to stand out in an indoor atmosphere, as the Congress and World show! Not everything that looks great outdoors looks great indoors and vice versa.”
Jenna Dempze adds “I desire something that stands out against the infamous white fencing when planning a Congress outfit!”
Maggie Bellville suggests that lighter colors look better in dark covered arenas, and darker colors pop in lighter colored, well-lit arenas. Maggie offers this bit of advice to everyone putting their outfit together, “Invest in a great hat! Most judges are very picky about their hats, and you should be too!” There is no doubt that a nice quality, cleaned and shaped hat will convey that you mean business.
Comfort & Confidence
Select World Champion and All-Around winner, Susie Johns (pictured left) suggests when choosing an outfit, “Take into consideration something that will make you feel good, both physically and emotionally!” When Susie is comfortable in her outfit, her horse feels her positive attitude and together they perform with confidence at their peak! Susie has beautiful clothes, but she also likes comfort. “I don’t want anything binding around my neck!”
Especially with the current economic climate, Renee is more cost-conscious than ever and wants “comfortable, well-constructed pieces that will work for a multitude of shows.”
Kaleena Weakly prefers to have her outfit by the middle of the year in order to wear it at some shows before the Congress and World Show. She feels you will be recognizable, confident and comfortable.
Kara Oldford agrees. “I choose an outfit that I feel confident, comfortable, and recognizable in and will look best in the arena.” She takes a moment to reflect on a moment at last year’s Congress: “I had new clothes show up and I was nervous to wear them because I felt more comfortable in my older, safer clothes. My trainer, Michael Colvin told me there was no way I was going to wear my old clothes and that was that! After walking away with two trophies in the new showmanship jacket, I was convinced as well.”
In conclusion, there are five key elements you should consider when choosing your top-level outfit.
1. Choose an individual color, fit and style that suits both you and your horse.
2. Develop your own individuality, but allow your designer the freedom to help you make sound choices to help your personality shine through.
3. Plan your outfit well in advance of the show you will use it for.
4. Take into consideration how your outfit will look in the pen you are showing, as well as to the judges you are showing to.
5. Take great lengths to insure that you feel confident and comfortable in the outfit you are wearing as your body language will portray trust and confidence in your horse.
Heed the advice of these well-respected competitors and you will stay ahead the competition.
To our contributors – thank you so much for your input. We really appreciate your participation!
About the authors:
Wendy Habighorst is owner and fashion consultant of Show Me Again, the original horse show clothing consignment store, as well as Dazzling Designs, a limited-edition clothing company. She has earned numerous top-ten placings at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, and multiple all-around performance championships in her show career.
Brittany Blankenship is a sales consultant for Show Me Again, and an avid Quarter Horse competitor. She has garnered multiple Congress top ten and finalist awards as well as several futurity championships over the past several years. Brittany is a highly respected show-woman who you will see in the show pen on a consistent basis.
Photo © info: Jenna Dempze photo by Larry Williams, Maggie Bellville and Susie Johns photo by K.C. Montgomery, Kaleena Weakly photo by Shane Rux, Maggie Kerola photo by Kristin Martin, Kara Oldford photo by Dasi, Kristen Galyean photo by GoHorseShow.com.
