What’s the first thing you think when you hear the word “red?” I think lipstick. Immediately, red lipstick makes me think passion, and passion has a direct link with horses.

I saw this little girl at the horse show whisper something to her dad a few minutes before he approached another photographer and I and asked if she could take pictures with us. He said she was just getting into photography and riding but really loved taking pictures and would love to hear any pointers we had… Where was she from? “Parkland.” Yeah- that Parkland. To her, it’s just where she’s from. To the adults in earshot, it now carries the same weight as Columbine or Sandy Hook.

Let me explain… as I tied one of my three-year-olds in her stall following her workout today (not the ever-so-patient 2-year-old tied to the wall in the picture) I had a bit of an epiphany!

We have the drive, the passion, and the will to fulfill your dreams, while at the same time fulfilling ours. We try to please, sometimes we fail, and we still get through the day with your horse on our mind.

From an aesthetic point of view, the Horsemanship top wins. Your arms sparkle, and, if you wear a bolero, you have some sparkle also in the waist zone. Moreover, from afar, the vest/Horsemanship top combination looks like a jacket. It’s also really practical for All Around riders!

More important than what happens in the show ring is what happens before. Every trainer and exhibitor has his or her unique take on pre-show rituals and superstitions.