Jewelry designers use strands of hair to help horse lovers create keepsakes to commemorate a lost friend or special accomplishment. Somewhere in a drawer in the house or on a shelf in the barn you likely have a bundle of hair saved from a cherished horse that you no longer own. Whether the hair was […]
Historians don’t exactly agree on how the style of the modern cowboy boot came to be. Some sources believe Europeans made the first western boots, imitating the boots worn by Spanish Vaqueros. Some, credit the United States Calvary. Others, point to a specific Kansas bootmaker named Charles Hyer. The Kansas Historical Society website says that in 1875 a Colorado cowboy stopped into Hyer’s shop after a […]
Owner: Brenda Arnold Established: 1994 About: Cassidy’s produces top quality show apparel with attention to detail in design. With 22 years of experience in the design field, Cassidy’s can create designs specific to individual needs. Quality, unique designs and competitive pricing have kept Cassidy’s in the show ring for the past 22 years. The Process: Since the invention of tasteful […]
Owner: Debbie Hodde, Brenham, Texas Established: 2011 About: Winning Couture specializes in one-of-a-kind garments for the show pen and the street. Known for trendsetting hunt coats, beautifully customized dress shirts and hunt shirts. The Process: Whether matching a saddle pad (hat or chaps) or piecing together ideas of their dream hunt coat, it is all […]
Kimes Ranch hit a home run with the release of the Madeline, a plus size riding jean for women at the 2016 WESA market. “This is something that has truly been missing from the market. So many companies say they offer a plus-size jean but really all they have done is extended their sizes,” relayed […]
Leather lounge chairs, high-top tables, bubbling water fountains and landscaped beds set against a backdrop of logoed stall drapes beckons clients and visitors alike to enjoy a brief break from a hectic horse show. The décor is inviting, a home-away-from home. While it’s the accessories that capture a passersby’s attention, it’s the stall drape […]
When the first saddle was created nearly 4,000 years ago there was no fancy tooling or black ostrich seat. Silver was still just kept in the rider’s pocket. In fact, those early creations were not much of a saddle at all, but merely a piece of animal hide or a scrap of cloth between the […]
Protection from thorny bushes, sharp longhorns and Mother Nature inspired the first pair of chaps, originally called “chaperhos.” The Spanish term translates to “leg of iron,” an acknowledgement of the garment’s purpose – to offer defense against the hazards found on the open range. Early chaps were bulky and made from heavy pieces of cowhide […]
As show morning arrives, the rush becomes real. Bands for the Western classes and neat, tight braids for the English events. All a part of catching the eye of the judge. It’s easy to notice the hours that go into the preparation of the horses. But what about the human competitor? From the combination of […]
Best of America by Horseback television show will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, on behalf of the entire Equine Community, on Sunday, July 26, 2015, at 12:15 pm. Although it began as a presentation by members of the Best of America by Horseback Family, people across […]
First came portraits, then came an exclusive Henry Bendel’s trunk show and now designer Chetna Singh is proud to introduce her new collection of equine inspired scarves. Known for her art scarves, Chetna Singh paints original pieces and then transfers them onto pure silk making wearable art. The new collection includes five different prints both […]
Trained as a graphic artist, Holly Spagnola wasn’t content to follow the traditional career path working as a graphic designer. Instead, after completing courses at the Pratt Institute in New York, she seized an opportunity to use her artistic talents to create unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry for equestrians and their horses. Shortly after graduating Spagnola’s friend […]
