Planning a Beach Trip with Your Horse

Before you load up your horse and head to the nearest beach, do your research. Not all beaches allow horses, and some have limited or seasonal hours.

Ashley Hall of Winter Park, Fla., has access to several beautiful equestrian friendly beaches within trailering distance. Her list includes Amelia Island, St. Augustine, Fort Pierce and Canaveral National Seashore. Hurricane season can impact accessibility and close beaches due to storm damage, however.

Once weather is considered, look up your local beach’s hours and rules for bringing horses. Hall has ridden at Canaveral National Seashore, which keeps a strict set of rules for equestrians. Horses aren’t allowed to visit from April 15th to October 31st due to turtle nesting season, and you must make reservations beforehand. They only allow six horses at a time on the sand. A permit costs $75 and grants you a four-hour time slot in the morning or afternoon.

Skip the beach during popular holidays to avoid crowds, and always consider your parking situation beforehand. Haul with friends or bring a smaller horse trailer (if possible) when the parking lot is tight.

I reside in Los Angeles, Calif., with two riding beaches nearby. Both are primarily enjoyed by families in highly populated city areas, making winter or spring a better time to visit. At Loon Point Beach in Carpinteria, horse trailer parking is parallel to the street in one direction. I saddle up on a sidewalk to avoid the road with active traffic. This busy situation works for my easygoing mare, but not all horses are familiar with an urban environment.

The second beach at Rincon Point has a spacious parking lot, but I always pull in and immediately turn around and face outward to avoid potentially being blocked in by cars. These simple details facilitate a smooth and stress-free arrival and departure.

The First Visit

Trailering your own horse is a much different experience than riding a seasoned rental horse that rides down the beach daily. When horses see and hear the ocean for the first time, it can be overwhelming to even the most levelheaded horse.

Britt Sabbah of Agoura Hills, Calif., enjoys frequent beach trips with her three horses, including one 4-year-old. She understands a first trip to the water can be intimidating.

“I think the sound of the tide coming in and out and the waves crashing can be a little bit spooky for them,” says Sabbah. “They don’t really know what to do with that and it probably feels like the whole earth is going to just drop out beneath them.”

If you’re worried about your horse being jumpy or want to take away some stimuli, bring earplugs to help dull the roaring sound of waves.

“I think for some horses, earplugs or a soundproof bonnet helps because then they’re not listening to the sound of the waves crashing and getting spooked by the noise,” says Sabbah.

Horses are flight animals. It’s a natural reaction to try and flee when they see a large wave approaching them. The time of year, weather, and low or high tide can impact the size of the waves. For this reason, Sabbah likes to always check local tide charts before planning her trip. She advises first-time beach riders to consider this when planning a visit.

“I think it’s much easier on them for the first time (at the beach) to go at low tide,” says Sabbah. “There’s a lot more beach, and the waves aren’t crashing as much and coming as close to them.”

Riding at high tide also means you’ll be going through deeper sand. Your horse will be more susceptible to pulling a tendon or getting sore for a few days if he’s out of shape.

Splashing through the waves can be an enjoyable experience for horse and rider once you get acclimated. On my first beach trip with my mare, Fira, she wasn’t confident enough to go in the water on her own.

I dismounted, soaking my old boots and leading her into the waves. Once she realized it was safe, she began happily splashing. I’ve trailered to the beach five times, and each trip, we walk into the water with more confidence.

Sabbah’s first experience with her pony, Louie, was a fun experience, but she didn’t put pressure on him, making the trip a positive outing for both of them.

“I couldn’t get him in the water the first time, but he had a lot of fun trotting along the beach,” she says. “I didn’t have any idea what to expect that first time, and didn’t push him in any way [to get in the water].”

Hall’s trusty mount, Cowboy, handles his beach trips like a pro, but the first view of the ocean takes a lot of horses by surprise.

“You never know when you’re taking a horse for the first time how they’re going to be,” says Hall. “When they see the ocean, their head goes straight up in the air and they’re a little freaked out.”

If you have a set of older tack, consider bringing it, because you might just get soaked. I like to bring a dry pair of tennis shoes to drive home in because my jeans and boots usually get soaked.

Keep It Fun & Safe

It can be tempting to toss a bareback pad in the trailer and consider yourself packed. After all, bareback on the beach is the ultimate dream, right? Hall thought about bringing her bareback pad for her first trip with Cowboy, but opted to ride in her English saddle. She felt much safer and secure with a set of stirrups underneath her.

Horseback riding is always better with friends, and it’s great to bring along some dependable, calm equine role models. Hall’s trusty mount, Cowboy, handles his beach trips like a pro. For Hall’s first ride with Cowboy, her group had a mix of horses who had been before and first-timers.

“I think it definitely helps to go with a buddy who has a horse that is good about the water, because they really like to follow each other,” says Hall. “If they’re able to follow another horse that’s really confident into the water, that really helps them.”

Hall’s group of friends and horses spent their day taking photos, cantering alongside each other on the beach, and capturing those special horse-girl memories while everyone checked off an epic bucket list ride.

This article about riding your horse on the beach appeared in the July 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Her love for horses never faded even into adulthood. After Genther’s husband retired from the Coast Guard in 2001, the family decided to call Florida home, relocating to be near both of their parents with their two children, Emily and Kyle.

Genther set her sights on horse-friendly Ocala, Fla. A dressage rider, Genther competes at the FEI level with Hector, an imported Lusitano from Brazil with a “puppy personality.” The pair is working on advancing their skills enough to show at the Grand Prix level.

By day, Genther supports her equestrian lifestyle as a full-time oncology nurse practitioner. And now, she’s also an entrepreneur.

Inventing Something New

When the pandemic hit in 2020, Genther and her adult daughter, Emily, started making their own sugar cubes for their horses. Covid was causing issues with the supply chain, and there wasn’t a cube in sight for the horses.

Hector is a notoriously a picky drinker. When planning to travel to a horse show, Genther was concerned when she saw that temperatures were going to drop. It felt like a perfect storm for colic. She considered scratching from the show.

When a friend suggested adding electrolytes to their sugar cubes, the mother-daughter duo decided to give it a try. She passed out a surplus of extra cubes to fellow riders, also concerned about water intake at the show. The horses drank.

The next day, riders started approaching Genther, requesting more sugar cubes and wanting to know where to purchase them.

“Then it just kind of took on a life of its own,” she says. “We did some research and didn’t see anything out there that was similar, so we started making them in our kitchen at 4 a.m. before work.”

The cubes were poured into molds before the sun came up and distributed into tubs after work, ready to sell.

“We started selling them locally to tack stores, and an owner of a store at the World Equestrian Center [in Ocala] gave us a big break,” says Genther. “The cubes were a hit. The motto for our products is ‘Horse treats with purpose,’ because we all want to reward our horses, but we want it to be with something that’s going to benefit them.”

Meeting a Demand

Once the electrolyte cubes gained popularity, Genther realized her kitchen was no longer going to be able to make enough for their customers. She was encouraged by fellow riders and friends to keep the business going, ultimately starting her quest for mass production.

After reaching out to several candy and pharmaceutical companies about making the sugar cubes, it was proving to be a daunting task. The goal was always to create a human-grade product, fed to horses. As soon as a manufacturer heard the product was for a horse, they said no.

After striking out, Genther connected with Courtney Varney, DVM, an FEI veterinary delegate and competitor, who has competed through the Grand Prix level in dressage. Impressed by the product, Varney helped formulate the recipe into a cold, compressed form—a sugar cube made into a fine powder and compressed, like an Altoid.

Genther’s creation, officially monikered Funky Unicorn Treats, finally found a medical director and a pharmaceutical company in the United States to make their treats. The treats are available in three flavors: apple, banana and mint.

“Every single cube has a precise amount [of electrolyte] in it, so there’s no question about the dosage,” says Genther. “It’s made the same way you would create Tylenol.”

Wholesale accounts have been quickly picking up Funky Unicorn Treats, and direct online sales are steadily growing as customers begin to learn about them.

“Every opportunity I get to educate people and tell people about them, I do,” Genther says. “I’m a horrible salesperson, but because I know they’re going to help horses, it’s easy. It’s something I believe in, so I can do it.”

Emily helps with the business when it comes to social media, and she enjoys interacting with new customers at events. Occasionally, Genther’s husband Doug helps with shipping or some heavy lifting, making it a family affair.

A Rewarding Product

Genther’s unplanned journey to create electrolyte cubes has brought on a new level of learning and challenges. But she loves hearing about how much this product helps her customers’ horses.

“I’ve had veterinary schools tell me that they’ve ended up with our product somehow, and it’s really made a difference for the horses in their care,” Genther says. “That’s the goal for us; that’s everything. I did it for my horse to make sure he was safe and happy.”

Follow along on Instagram @funkyunicorn_treats and Facebook (Funky Unicorn Treats), or learn more at FunkyUnicornTreats.com.

This article about Renee Genther’s Funy Unicorn Treats business appeared in the November/December 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Chanel Rhodes is a first-generation equestrian in her family. Growing up in the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, Rhodes didn’t have access to horses in the city. However, she always dreamed of owning a horse one day.

As a young girl, Rhodes didn’t see Black cowboys or cowgirls being represented on TV or in magazines. She asked her mom, Valerie Griffin, if horseback riding was something she could do. Griffin encouraged her daughter to pursue horses, cultivating Rhodes’ love and passion for the equine industry.

As a busy single mom, Griffin instilled a hard work ethic in Rhodes and took her to riding lessons sporadically throughout her youth.

Finally, Horses

Rhodes spent her entire childhood dreaming of and praying for a horse. When she turned 20, she began a serious search, determined to find a way to be around horses without having a lot of money or resources.

She began her journey and became a working student for Cliff Salter, a trainer in Long Beach, Calif. Under Salter’s guidance, Rhodes learned about training, horsemanship and horse care.

After seven long, dedicated years and with the help of her mom, Rhodes finally purchased her first horse, a dependable bay gelding named Cha-Cha. Fast forward another five years, and she’s currently a working student for a hunter/jumper program at Mountain View Farms South in Anaheim, Calif., with trainer Jasmine Wheatley.

Rhodes currently has two horses: Lady, a 16-year-old Paint mare, and Gabriel, an 11-year-old OTTB who belongs to her mom, whom Rhodes inspired to ride.

The Art Project

In 2019 during Black History Month, social media and other news outlets shifted the focus to Black cowboys and Black equestrians in the industry.

“I noticed a lot of people doing a lot of different projects with their horses during Black History Month,” says Rhodes. “That’s kind of the time when the media started to shine a light on Black cowboys and we finally got discovered.”

She felt inspired to try her own project. Creative by nature, she had been doing her own hair for years. Rhodes made a prototype wig for Lady to match her flashy tobiano colors and emphasize her beautiful mane.

Initially, the wig didn’t work how Rhodes envisioned, but her fiancé (now husband) Andrew Garces wanted to capture a video of the pair together. She called this art project “Afrocentric Pony.”

Shortly after releasing the video, the Young Black Equestrians podcast (now called Black in the Saddle) contacted Rhodes about coming on as a guest. When she was asked about her plans for her creation, Rhodes’ initial reaction was that this wasn’t a business. But that burning question fueled something in her, propelling her to push forward into the unknown.

Meet Mane Tresses

Product development for the hair piece proved to be challenging and frustrating for Rhodes. If it was going to be marketed and sold, it had to be perfect.

“Every time I wanted to try the wig, I’d have to drive 10 miles down the street to the barn and wait for my product to fail,” says Rhodes. “And then I’d go back home to the drawing board. It became very tedious; I resented it for a little bit.”

When Covid came along and put Rhodes out of work, it gave her unexpected time to focus on product development for Mane Tresses. A professional manufacturer was unaffordable, but Rhodes’ mom bought her a sewing machine, so she began to watch YouTube videos and learned how to sew her wigs.

After going through about 50 prototypes, the result is a flexible, colorful, synthetic hair piece that seamlessly attaches to the mane, tail or forelock. Mane Tresses officially launched in 2021.

Being a Role Model

Despite all the roadblocks and struggles along the way, Rhodes maintains a positive, can-do attitude and encourages anyone with a dream to make it a reality.

“Ignore those outside voices,” she says. “If you have a passion for something, that’s what life is all about. If you have something in your heart that you love, you should work toward it. Start that business, get it off the ground, and never give up, because you’re going to fail 100 times. But those failures just propel you forward.”

Along the way, Rhodes has had the Hollywood spotlight shown on her entrepreneurial spirit. She was on “Access Daily” with Mario Lopez, “Tell The Truth” on ABC, and a commercial for Facebook.

While these are notable highlights, she says her proudest moments come from positive feedback from customers. She ships worldwide and is always humbled when she hears from a mother or grandmother who has a child that looks up to Rhodes as a role model. Those are the moments that make it all worthwhile.

For more information on Mane Tresses, visit www.manetresses.com or @manetressescc on Instagram and Facebook. Follow along with Chanel at @cowgirl_chanel on Instagram.

This article about Chanel Rhodes and her business Mane Tresses appeared in the July 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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When the pandemic brought a bustling world to a screeching halt, equestrian Jessica Andrews immediately felt panicked. Her successful Los Angeles company, On Location Hair & Makeup, was dependent upon human touch, which was not conducive with social distancing.

With over 20 years of experience in the personal care industry, her expertise lay in making women feel confident and beautiful. The events leading up to launching her apparel business, Eques Pante, were influenced by stillness. Andrews followed her instincts, allowing her equestrian experiences to take the reins.

Beauty & Horses

Born and raised in London, England, Andrews moved to Los Angeles, Calif., in 2005, pursuing her hair stylist dreams. She gradually built her beauty business, providing makeup and hair styling services to the entertainment industry. Soon enough she had developed a long list of clients, from celebrities and producers to other influential women.

A horse girl from an early age, Andrews started riding at age 11. In her childhood, she could be found gallivanting through the English countryside aboard her pony, Pepper. She took the train by herself every weekend into Oxfordshire to spend time with him.

This strong dedication at an early age showed how much horses meant to her. Fast forwarding to adulthood and her new life in Los Angeles, Andrews found herself horseless, unsure about her future. Eventually she found her stride again, and began taking lessons at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center and beyond.

Changed by a Horse

One day she met Nahlea, a life-changing red filly that had been on a truck bound for slaughter until an equine rescue intervened, pulling her from the situation. Malnourished and unhandled, Nahlea didn’t have an easy start to life.

But there was something about the mare that captivated Andrews from the fateful moment she met her in a dusty Southern California lot. Nahlea was uneasy from her past, and trust wasn’t something she willingly gave out at first.

“It took me a while to gain her trust,” says Andrews. “I went slow, meeting her twice a day for short periods. Once I gained her trust, she followed me everywhere. We went for hand-walks in the hills and through forests; it was one of my favorite times with her.”

Mentally, Nahlea bloomed, but she needed to have surgery for osteochondrosis in her stifles. When she returned from a successful surgery and rehab, Nahlea was ready to start her riding career.

Andrews sought out a dressage trainer and began advancing her skills, spending hours in the saddle riding various warmbloods. Her seat and knowledge progressed, along with a new awareness of rider rashes and hot spots from long hours in the saddle.

It was then Andrews began trying different undergarments, searching for something that could help meet the demands of life in the saddle.

“I just felt like we needed something really custom for our sport, because every sport has an underwear!”

The Pandemic Idea that Led to Eques Pante

In the spring of 2020, Andrews was out of work due to the pandemic. Her creative mindset never stopped, and she began sketching and creating Eques Pante.

A passion for practical products and entrepreneurship was in Andrews’ blood. At one point, she wanted to make a hairbrush, but it never came to fruition because of cost and design challenges. When it came to Eques Pante, it felt easier, as if this product was meant to be.

“I had a little bit of an issue finding a factory that wanted to do something completely custom,” Andrews says. “Then I found a really great guy, and he helped me with everything through the entire design process.”

A year later, Eques Pante was launched in February of 2021, just a month after Andrews relocated to Colorado. Covid had inspired changes, and she was ready to embrace them.

Andrews has worn all the hats: she was the product tester, the fit model, the designer, and the brains behind the operation. There has been an amazing response to the brand, despite it being brand new. Andrews says the typical first-time customer is skeptical at first, but then impressed.

Goodbye Nahlea

2023 began with the heartbreaking and unexpected passing of Nahlea. The mare shaped much of Andrews’ life and the decisions she made along the way throughout the creation of Eques Pante.

“It was one of the hardest, saddest days I have been through,” she says. “That day, I said goodbye to my great friend and adventure partner for over eight years. [Nahlea] wasn’t an easy ride, and without her, I probably wouldn’t have sought to advance my riding skills and had a need to create Eques Pante.”

Moving forward, Andrews plans on continuing to introduce the world to Eques Pante. The brand was invented out of necessity, and Nahlea’s memory will always live on through this special company.

Find Eques Pante online at equespante.com and Instagram @equespante.

This article about Eques Pante appeared in the May 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Leah Kaufmann’s horse obsession developed at an early age. She grew up in Seattle, but her mother passed on a passion for horses, driving Kaufmann to her weekly Sunday riding lesson starting at age 6.

Kaufmann dabbled with dressage, but ultimately became hooked on eventing from her time spent in Pony Club. Those early experiences bonded Kaufmann to the equestrian lifestyle, carrying her admiration into adulthood.

The T-Shirt That Started Her Equestrian Brand

Like most new ideas, Dapplebay was launched when Kaufmann discovered a void in the market. She was on a quest to find cute horse shirts representing her favorite disciplines.

Creative by nature, she always loved to draw horses and make crafts, even before she received her degree in design at the University of Washington for visual communication design. She used her expert eye and whipped up a t-shirt that read “Live Free & Jump XC” with a horse jumping across the center.

Kaufmann casually posted the shirt on Facebook, which received an explosion of comments. The now-retired design was quickly featured online in Eventing Nation, giving Kaufmann exposure to like-minded customers. Based on the feedback, she began screen-printing more shirts, and Dapplebay was born in 2011.

A Hobby Turned Career

Professionally, Kaufmann had a successful career as a designer working with a marketing agency. She maintained her professional job in the beginning, while Dapplebay was on the side. She put energy into it as she felt like it over the years.

“It was a creative outlet that allowed me to have something that was my own outside of client work,” Kaufmann explains. Fast forward to the pandemic and the world changed, including Dapplebay. Kaufmann shifted her focus on becoming a profitable business instead of just a fun, creative venture.

With a change in mindset and sales, Dapplebay was thriving, allowing Kaufmann to leave her full-time job behind.

“2020 was a great year for e-commerce, and I grew a lot without intending to,” she says. “I took that momentum as an opportunity to decide that this could be my full-time thing.”

Community & Connection

While Kaufmann spends most of her time working solo, she enjoys having the opportunity to connect with customers whenever she sets up a booth at an event.

Having a booth at The Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover in 2021 was a career high and emotionally moving weekend for Kaufmann. She promotes retired racehorses with her apparel and owns two off-track Thoroughbreds, Pie and Ranger.

Dapplebay also made its first appearance at Land Rover Kentucky in 2022, which was another special moment of growth for the brand.

“I’ve met so many amazing women from having this little pop-up tent with cute shirts,” she says. “I quickly realized this wasn’t just about the t-shirts, it was about meeting people.”

In 2022 Kaufmann also launched The Barn Aisle, a Facebook group, with the intention of being a supportive online space for customers and fellow equestrians. The group celebrates a love for horses and creates a dialog online.

“People post when they have a great ride, when they have a question, when they’re struggling—the way the group responds is incredible,” she says.

The Brand’s Popular Equestrian Products

Dapplebay offers a unique selection of apparel, accessories and lifestyle products from stickers to journals. As a designer, coming up with ideas for new products is the exciting part of the job.

Kaufmann focuses on creating unique prints, patterns her customers can’t find anywhere else, and sizes for all equestrians. Recently, matching sets, including saddle pads and bonnets, have become popular.

“My goal is to create things that people love that they can take into their own lives and wear with their own style,” she explains.

When Kaufmann isn’t busy working, she spends time with the horses she keeps at home in a beautiful barn her husband built. Her dedication to the brand, her horses and a positive mindset has allowed her business to thrive.

“I think the hardest thing is remembering to enjoy it and enjoy the process,” she says. “I’ve been so caught up in working hard, I think it’s easy to miss the journey. Sometimes I wake up and I look around and realize we live on the property I dreamed of 10 years ago.”

Shop Dapplebay here.

This article about equestrian brand Dapplebay appeared in the January/February 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Inspiration & Action

Growing up, Barratt moved several times. Each new home offered her mother an opportunity to redecorate. Barratt always recalls being captivated by the prints and fabrics selected for curtains and trimmings. Fast forward to adulthood, when Barratt married and settled down in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, with her husband, Tom.

Whenever she browsed through equestrian clothing and apparel at a tack store, she felt like something was missing. She’d envision bold printed collars and vivid colors. Barratt didn’t have a background working with fashion or fabric, but one day she expressed her ideas to her husband.

“My husband gave me $500 and bought me a new computer to give it a shot,” she says. “I set off to do what was in my head and try to make it come to fruition, which was a total trip because I didn’t know anything about clothing fabric.”

Initially, finding the right clothing manufacturer for her equestrian-inspired vision wasn’t easy. Many companies wouldn’t talk to or help Barratt since she didn’t understand the manufacturing language or have a design background. There were a lot of clicks and hang ups as the search persisted.

“Once you think about something like starting a business, it takes on a life of its own and becomes an obsession,” says Barratt. “You eat, sleep and breathe bringing something out of thin air and actually making it happen.”

One day, she began looking into companies making men’s form-fitting shirts for executives. She finally found a company online that agreed to make her samples, only to realize they were based out of Thailand. Determined to create the clothing she had envisioned, she jumped through frustrations of language barriers and communication to bring her shirts to life.

“I ended up having 18 samples made because I didn’t know anything about manufacturing clothes,” says Barratt.

Armed with her gorgeous new sample shirts, Middy N’ Me’s first debut into the world was at the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic. Her friends excitedly invited Barratt to be a vendor when a booth turned up empty.

“I got a mannequin, I ironed my shirts, and I went,” she says. “I didn’t even bring anything to write with. It never dawned on me that anyone would actually buy my shirts. We had a very successful show, and that’s how it all started.”

Meet Middy

Middy N’ Me is appropriately named after Middy, Barratt’s beloved Belgian/Quarter Horse mare. Middy is boarded close to home at a large estate in Hunting Valley. It’s the perfect property for the fox hunting duo to spend their days riding through the expansive acreage.

“I bought her sight unseen, and she didn’t even have a name,” she says. “I named her Middleburg because I’m a fox hunter and I love Middleburg, Va. My husband started calling her Middy.”

Middy is a beautiful buckskin who happens to be a PMU rescue and an unexpected heart horse; Barratt describes her as an angel.

“She had never been handled and was very aloof and distant—emotionally wounded,” she says. “But she and I became very good friends, and she’s the horse of a lifetime. She’s taken care of me. There are no words to describe how much joy she has given me.”

Building a Brand

Middy N’ Me celebrated 10 years of business last summer. The brand has evolved and grown over the years. Initially, Barratt thought she would be designing shirts for women to ride in, but it turned out, women want to wear the shirts in everyday life, too.

“Equestrian style is a universal desire—people like it—it’s very pretty,” she says. “We don’t position ourselves as an equestrian company, but a lot of equestrians wear our shirts.”

Barratt’s true passion shines when she’s designing behind a computer screen. She loves fuchsia, kiwi green, turquoise, yellow and bright colors paired with ginghams and solids.

Every shirt, skirt or dress is made to order. The fit is an important part of the style and overall look. Every shirt is cut, sewn and made in the United States. After Kimberly’s wild ride making samples, she was able to find the factory in America she had searched for to produce her clothing.

Kimberly’s days are spent designing, keeping in contact with her factory, working with customers, and tackling her never-ending to-do list.

“It’s not for the faint hearted, but I love every minute of it.”

◆ Middy N’ Me website
◆ Middy N’ Me Instagram (@middynme)
◆ Middy N’ Me Facebook

This article about Middy N’ Me’s success in creating equestrian clothing and beyond appeared in the September 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Tip: If you’re sending in hair from your own horse, make sure it’s clean and you send a little more than the minimum amount. Most makers will work with mane or tail, but the tail is generally preferred, since it is longer.

Turquoise Stone and Horsehair Bracelet

If you’re searching for a fun western accessory that doesn’t require you to send in hair, these bracelets from Cattle Kate are stunning. They are available in cream, brown or black horsehair in a basket weave design, accented with turquoise stones. Available at cattlekate.com for $58.95.

Open Loop Bracelet

The open loop bracelet is made from two round braids looped through a center bead and two side beads, finished with sterling silver bell end caps. This bracelet comes with a variety of charms and engraving options to choose from. Available at detailshorsehairjewelry.com for $90.00.

Horsehair Heart Jewelry Pendant

Searching for a piece of jewelry without typical weaving or braids of horsehair? A glass heart with intricately placed horsehair is a beautiful option. Available in 12 shimmering colors, this pendant is flashy. Available at etsy.com/shop/knotmytail for $39.99.

Leather & Horsehair Jewelry Bracelets

Timeless and chic, these woven horsehair and leather bracelets by Black Dragon Custom Horsehair Bracelets can be worn daily. Each bracelet takes between eight and 12 hours to make. Custom options include brown or black leather along with a single or double braid on the bracelet. Starting at $95.00 at blackdragonbracelets.com.

Maille Horsehair Earrings

Spirit Horse Designs offers simple yet stunning earrings made from your horse’s mane (with the option to request stock hair). They are accented with turquoise howlite and sterling silver accents, which complement any horsehair color. Available at spirithorsedesigns.com for $118.00.

14K Gold Jewelry Horsehair Pendant

Splurge on this delicate pendant necklace with a chain. A small amount of horsehair is braided and placed inside a gold setting. Personalize it with a name or inscription on one or all three sides. It’s available in 14K or 18K gold with a variety of chain lengths. Available at thetreasuredhorse.com for $1,255.00.

Snaffle Bit Ring

A stunning snaffle bit ring has numerous options for personalization. It’s available in yellow gold, white gold, rose gold or sterling silver on the band or bit. Select a two-tone contrasting ring color for a striking look. Free inscribing is available on the inside as well. This is a minimalist and chic option to keep your horse with you. Available at verstara.com for $758.00.

This article about horsehair jewelry appeared in the April 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Flares and stripes give a nod to the ‘70s with this bold style. Wear vintage-inspired denim with a pair of heels or cowboy boots. Whether you’re riding at the rodeo or going out, these pants will get you noticed. $119.00; wrangler.com

Trouser Perfect-Rise Beatrice Wide-Leg Jean

Trendy trouser jeans can be worn at the barrel race or for every day. This light wash is accented with blue stitching across the pockets and frayed bottoms. The 9.75-oz. performance stretch denim is softer with slightly more give. $79.95; ariat.com

Stretch Denim Knee Patch Breech

Enjoy denim breeches that fit like athletic activewear—they’re infused with water-absorbing fibers to pull sweat from the skin and release it into the air. A contoured waistband has a lower fit on the front and high rise in the back to ensure your pants won’t sag. Lightweight knee patches are flexible and never stiff. $109.00; kerrits.com

Ada Relaxed Fit Jeans

Ada jeans are ready for you to dye the perfect shade to match your western pleasure or rodeo outfit. Don’t be afraid to wear color or come up with your own tie-dye design for these horse riding jeans.$54.99; cinchjeans.com

Mid-Rise Extra-Stretch Striped Riding Jeans

This eye-catching style is a cotton/polyester blend with a touch of spandex for give. Wear with a T-shirt and boots for riding, then effortlessly elevate the look by changing into a fitted blouse and fancy boots for a night out. $79.99; rockandrolldenim.com

Audrey Jeans

These jeans are a beautiful wash composed of a blend of cotton, polyester and elastane. Kimes only uses ring-spun denim, which has a greater tear strength in the fabric form compared to other brands. They are made with 11.5-oz. denim, which puts them in the midweight category. The higher the number, the stiffer and stronger the denim is.
$120.00; kimesranch.com

Equestrian Full-Seat Jean

Goode Rider’s team favorite offers a mid-rise waist, double buttons, wide belt loops and velcro ankle closures. These jeans fit comfortably with a touch of stretch for riding. The back pockets show off fancy embroidered spur details. $179.00; gooderider.com

Retro Green Jean

Wrangler’s high-rise Trumpet Flare in Whitely is made with 85% pre-consumer recycled cotton. With just a touch of hemp and spandex, this stretch denim is composed of natural fibers. It’s a fashion-forward flare you can feel good about wearing. $79.00; wrangler.com

This article about horse riding jeans originally appeared in the September 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Horse Riding Jeans to Fit Your Style appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Welcome to Los Angeles

Born and raised in Leipzig, Germany, Gellersen landed in Los Angeles for the first time in 2000 to study English. She returned to the Golden State for a second time later in the year to attend fashion school at the California College of the Arts. Afterward, she moved to Paris to pursue an internship with Dior. After Paris, she once again found herself back in Los Angeles in 2005.

A horse lover since she was a little girl, Gellersen had once stayed with a friend living in Riverside Rancho, a magical and historic equestrian community just 20 minutes from Hollywood. She still recalls that first drive when she discovered wide-open spaces and horses casually being ridden through the city. It suddenly became her dream to live there.

The Accident

AtelierCG was born in 2012 after Gellersen had a horrible riding accident. She was helping exercise a friend’s horse at Sunset Ranch in Hollywood one evening, and while riding back from Mount Hollywood, a set of brightly flashing lights from a mountain bike spooked her friend’s horse, causing Gellersen’s horse to panic.

In a moment of fear, her mount spun off the edge of a steep hillside. The pair flipped over backward, and the mare landed on top of Gellersen, breaking her ribs and fracturing her pelvis, causing internal bleeding and other injuries. Lucky to be alive, the doctors gave Gellersen a bleak future outcome.

“They told me I couldn’t ride again, and I decided no, no, no I am going to ride again,” she says.

While Gellersen was recovering in the hospital, she made her first-ever Ride Holster Bag, a leather waist pouch that is now the most popular bag she sells today.

“My sewing is terrible, but somebody at the ranch asked me where they could buy it,” says Gellersen. “I found a leather factory, and they started making the first pieces. That’s how I started doing equestrian handbags.”

Prior to the accident, Gellersen had a company with her ex-husband creating canvas bags. Nothing serious happened with the brand, and she didn’t feel passionate about it.

Gellersen started writing down words of affirmation, including “stay strong” and “don’t let them tame you.” She was determined not to let anyone break her spirit.
“‘Don’t let them tame you’ is now the slogan of my company,” she adds.

Khumba

When Gellersen decided to really focus on growing AtelierCG, she gave up her leased horse in Hollywood to save time and money. She then realized she wasn’t happy without a horse in her life. Gellersen’s friends connected her with a racehorse trainer who offered to help find her a horse.

At the time, Gellersen was straining to make ends meet and pay the rent. She was a single mom struggling to balance it all with two young kids, Kaelen and Jade. But she found herself adding a horse to the chaos.

“I knew I needed a horse,” says Gellersen. “I needed a horse that had a big heart and that was good around kids. Riding is therapy for me. Being around horses keeps me grounded.”

When she first saw photos of Khumba, she thought he was absolutely gorgeous. He came straight from the racetrack without any formal training. The pair has come a long way since she purchased the horse with a heart on his head, and now Gellersen regularly rides her gentle Thoroughbred throughout Griffith Park.

Inspired by Tack

Inspiration for her chain jewelry came to Gellersen in the tack room. She loves mixing and matching chains and colors.

“It all started when I was cleaning my bridle, and I had a curb chain in my hand,” she says. “I loved the feel of the curb chain, so I had this idea that my jewelry should be stainless steel. I love the heavy metal. Gold and silver can break or bend, but stainless steel doesn’t.”

One of her most popular jewelry designs is the dreamer necklace. The mixed metal bracelets are also very popular. Gellersen is self-taught as a jewelry maker, and pieces everything together herself.

“It is challenging, but I don’t see it as work, because I really enjoy what I’m doing.”

This article about fashion and horses originally appeared in the August 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Fashion and Horses: Bringing Beauty from Pain appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

When you step into the arena with your horse, you want to exude confidence and focus on your ride. This is your moment to shine, so it’s important to feel good about what you’re wearing. Horse show trends and fashion vary between disciplines and show circuits, but the following tips will help you when shopping for new pieces.

Horse Show Trends for Hunter/Jumpers

Taylor Hall owns The Tried Equestrian, a premier consignment shop in Santa Clarita, Calif. Hall is in tune with the hunter/jumper world, where there has been a shift in focus to athletic materials that offer more comfort. From shirts and breeches to show jackets, gloves and boots, the items must be comfortable, easy to wash and have a lot of stretch.

“In the hunter/jumpers we’ve seen coats trending shorter,” says Hall. “Traditionally, coat tails tended to fall at the bottom of your hips, especially in the hunter ring. Now most coats, even made for the hunters and equitation, hit mid-hip. Jumper coats are even shorter, and many times hit in the top quarter of your hips.”

Hunt coats and shirts are solid. There are now six accepted show coat colors: navy, black, brown, gray, green, and the newest color addition, burgundy. The jumper ring is a place for experimenting with bolder attire, but keep in mind the rules for attire depend on the class entered.

“One of the coolest trends we’ve seen is wearing a colored competition shirt (burgundy or even black) underneath a black coat,” says Hall. “A competition shirt can be worn in the jumper ring and can be any color, as long as it has a stand-up white collar that closes. We are even seeing bling here! Albeit very subtly, but it is being added to some show coats, tops and even breeches along pockets.”

Horse Show Trends for Dressage

Dressage riders have room to push the boundaries further with Swarovski crystals and pops of color. Accomplished dressage rider and eventer Britt Sabbah of Agoura Hills, Calif., recently attended her first dressage show after taking a year off due to the pandemic. She wears a shadbelly with a faux leather lining on the tails and Swarovski accents on the collar and points.

Riders are wearing helmets accented with glossy finishes, glitter, or Swarovski crystals. Colorfully piped tails and bolder colors can make their appearance on a shadbelly.

Black leather tack continues to dominate, but sparkly browbands and saddles and riding boots with patent or stamped leather accents and piping are seen throughout the ring.

Horse Show Trends for Western Riders

Amber Harmon of Bakersfield, Calif., competes at Paint Horse shows in the all-around classes. One of her favorite items is a button-front fitted day shirt; these offer versatility to riders showing in multiple classes.

Generally, state or zoned show riders can be seen wearing more interesting patterns and retro designs. The western world is embracing retro colors in saddle pads, outfits and tack design.

Black saddles are now a beautiful option for riders from pleasure to barrel racing. It all started with a two-toned trend, which has turned into solid black.

In the all-around classes, a show saddle can be loaded with silver or simple. Barrel racers continue to look for rough-out saddles (a saddle with the flesh or rough side facing out) and simpler designs. Solid pads are out, and modern, retro-themed designs are in for saddle blankets and pads.

For high-end breed circuit apparel, Harmon says to look to Showtime Show Clothing and Showgirls Apparel brands for a selection of new and pre-owned options. There are a lot more accessible smaller brands making trendy tack and apparel.

Hunter under saddle breed show riders embrace contrasting collars, velvet collars and lots of tan and brown jackets. Velvet hunt caps are out and actual protective, lower-profile helmets are in.

At the end of the day, all of the hours put into the saddle and lessons come down to one ride or a series of classes. It’s important to feel powerful and confident in your attire.

This article about horse show trends appeared in the June 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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