SHADBELLY'S: THE "BLACK-TIE" ATTIRE OF SHOW HUNTERS
In the world of show hunters, the “Black Tie” show season culminates in August in Lexington. The youngest set vies for coveted prizes at the USEF Pony Hunter Final and the jr.’s, amateurs, and the open riders then descend upon the Rolex Arena for the prestigious USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship.
ACCESSORIZE, BUT PLEASE DON’T UPSTAGE THE BRIDE
Elegance dictates that one should never attempt to draw more attention to themselves than the bride at her wedding. The analogy to a show hunter is that the apparel of the rider should not detract from the quality and turnout of the horse, The show hunter ring, with deep roots in fox hunting tradition, has no place for eccentric fashion ensembles. Does this unwritten rule mean that you can noy express a bit of personal style? Absolutely not! Although the shadbelly has strict rules regarding color and points in the formal hunting field, the show hunter ring is slightly more relaxed. Fine details and complimenting colors are an expression of your indivudality.
SHADBELLY
One of my trusted “go to stylists” for horse show fashion and equestrian street wear is Renee Spurges. As the proprietor of LA Saddlery, located at the famed LA Equestrian Center, she is a popular columnist in magazines including Equestrian Quarterly and she can often be found consulting with clients at her mobile boutique at the most prestigious AA shows on each coast.
According to Renee, currently one of her most popular brand and style of shadbellys is the Grand Prix Tech Lite for ladies. The modern technical fabric may be customized with collars, piping, points, etc. For more information or to place a custom order, contact Rene at LA SADDLERY .
Example of the Grand Prix Dressage Shadbelly, for reference only of quality. Also available in multiple colors and trims and in "hunter" style.
SOURCE: http://www.frantisi.com
Grand Prix trim samples for coats.
SOURCE: http://www.frantisi.com
To shop, visit LASaddlery
POINTS by SewEquestrian
With just a tiny bit of color splashing underneath the front of the coat, this is the perfect accessory that can allow your style to to shine. Many coats come with the traditional canary yellow points, but a for a small investment you can customize even the most conservative coat.
SewEquestrian specializes in creating custom points for shadbelly’s for both jr’s and adults. According to owner Linda Gibson, 
“I started making the custom points when we purchased my 13 year old daughter her first shadbelly last year and wanted something fancier than the plain yellow points that came it. I made her some points and when she wore them in her first hunter derby she came in 9th out of 74 ponies and horses! After having several people ask where she got the shad points, I decided that there might be a market for them. The nice thing about the custom points is that customers can pick two different fabrics and make them reversible. I am always searching the fabric stores for new fabrics for both the ties and points. Any of the fabrics for the ties can also have a ribbon trim/piping added to match the points or the lining of the shadbelly.”
Custom Brocade Points
{EDITOR'S FAVORITE: I love the traditional golden colors integrated into a subtle pattern}
ORDERING INFORMATION:
- The points are totally custom due to the placement of the buttonholes.
- Send current shadbelly points or email me a photo of points with a tape measure across the top so that a pattern can be constructed with the correct
To shop, visit SEWEQUESTRIAN.
STOCK TIES AND PINS by Stocks and Bonds
Located on the North Shore of Chicago, Amy Towne-Farmer is the owner of Celebration Farms, a successful hunter/jumper show barn, and she is also the owner/designer of Stocks and Bonds, an artisan company that specializes in stock ties and pins. According to Amy, Stocks and Bonds started out of necessity. “I have always loved the style, grace, and technique required for the hunter ring. When I rode in my first hunter derby and pulled my scratchy and grubby old stock tie out, it made me realize that with all the style that had progressed in the show ring through the years, this was the one thing that had clearly not. My ties add unique style, whether it be subtle or bold, without sacrificing comfort or functionality!
My stock ties are handmade by myself and my mom, who is also a lifelong rider and horse lover. We choose materials that are comfortable and functional. We like to think about the ease of care as well. While I have some ties that are dry clean only, I like to have the majority of them machine washable, as that is what people tend to gravitate towards. I have also found some fabulous vintage brocade fabrics that are absolutely beautiful both in look and feel, and are special because they are one-of-a-kind. I rarely find vintage fabric that I can get more than 2-3 ties from. I absolutely do custom orders, and I love the process of shopping and collaborating to hit the mark exactly for what my customers are looking for.”
Traditional tone-on-tone custom stock tie
{Editor's Favorite:Twice this year, I have had horses in the barn that for various reasons, spooked at the tails of the shadbelly during the warmup. This plaid collar perfectly formalizes a traditional huntcoat with its conservative and classic plaid pattern.}
Stock Pins are also a specialty of Stocks and Bonds. Amy enjoys learning from experts and hand selecting items from antique stores, estate sales and auctions. Her collection is exclusive to pins that function well in their original state. According to Amy, “I like the idea of the antique piece being symbolic for the age and tradition of our sport....”
PRICING
Cotton ties approx. $25/Brocade: approx. $60.
Pins: approx. $30-$50.
TO SHOP, visit STOCKSANDBONDS
THE “BLACK TIE” SHOW HUNTER EVENTS NETWORK SCHEDULE ON USEF NETWORK
- 2014 US Pony Finals:
Aug. 4-10
The USEFNetwork will be posting highlight on-demand videos as they receive them.
- 2014 USHJA Internal Hunter Derby Championships
Friday, Aug 15, 8am ET - Classic Hunter Round
Saturday, Aug 16, 3pm ET - Derby Challenge
Saturday, Aug 16, 6pm ET - Section B
Saturday, Aug 16, 8pm ET - Section A
For more information, or to view, visit USEFNetwork.com
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