AQHA March April 2016 Magazine | Page 29

Chaps or Chinks are the largest
item of apparel you’ll wear, so choose
them carefully. They should hang
from your natural waist and be long
enough to cover your boot heels in
the saddle for shotgun chaps, or fall
below your knee for chinks. If you opt
for something fancier than classic
fringed suede chaps, be sure that
extra trims like crystals or blinged
out conchos add to your presentation
rather than draw attention to figure
flaws like busy legs or wide hips.
Western Boots complete your
western wardrobe, but only the foot
portion shows peeking from beneath
chaps or jeans when you compete.
Consider a simple, classic boot style
and perhaps spend your savings
where they show more, on you or
your horse
Gentlemen in the show pen continue
to present their horses in traditional
attire of fitted, starched shirts, plain
or modestly embellished chaps, and
carefully creased hats. A showman
can simply pair a solid or plaid shirt
with an interesting scarf and colour
co-ordinated saddle blanket and be
dressed for success at the local to
National level.
Saddles and Tack are becoming
more personalised, just like show
apparel. Leather colours vary from
pale to black through a rich range
of brown tones which beautifully
showcase shining silver on headstalls
or saddles consider what looks best
on your horse when choosing new
tack items. We’re seeing more exotic
leather inlays, even painted accents
on tack, and customised high quality
sterling silver is making a comeback
as well.

Beautifully tailored turqua “Kareena” jacket from Hobby Horse is attractive with
any horse; gold braid adds bling in the ring. Show apparel should fit like a glove
and showcase your smooth riding skills.

Educate your eye by studying
videos, online catalogues and horse
magazines for images of winning
western ensembles in your favourite
events to get you and your horse
ready to win in 2016.
©2016 Suzanne Vlietstra.
Writing or riding, Suzanne Vlietstra
enjoys horses and their people.
Vlietstra is president of
Hobby Horse Clothing Company
(www.hobbyhorseinc.com)
a show apparel manufacturer, and
also owns a 50-horse boarding stable.

Photos copyright
Hobby Horse Clothing Co., Inc. 2016

Lovely shimmering paillettes fabric and bold purple colour combine to make
Hobby Horse’s “Jager” jacket a modern western wardrobe standout. Shapely
tailoring helps slenderise your figure as you ride.
March • April • 2016 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • Page 29