Presto Chango- Zip Off Sleeves

By: Silvia Panza, Fancy In The Sand

Silvia Panza is a competitor from Italy who loves everything having to do with horse show fashion, which she writes about on her blog, Fancy In The Sand. If you’d like to have your blog post shared on EquineChronicle.com like Silvia, email B.Bevis@EquineChronicle.com. 

One of the biggest causes of stress at horse shows is changing outfits. If you’re an All Around rider, you know you have to hurry when moving from an one arena to the other. Most disciplines require a change of outfit. It’s not possible to show in Showmanship in a bolero vest and it’s not possible to show in Horsemanship with a fringed jacket.

It would be beautiful to have a piece that can be used for every discipline. But is it possible? Mel Loebel, owner of ekedie Show Clothing, found a solution to make the life of an All Around rider easier. She created a jacket with zip off sleeves, so you can have a jacket and a vest. The project has a deep neckline so you can wear it with a “dickie” if you want to use it for Showmanship or as a riding jacket. Otherwise, you can remove the sleeves, wear a plain fitted shirt underneath, and you will have a vest set. For Horsemanship, you just have to remove your vest and you will be ready to show with your shirt.

This innovative project permits you to wear only one piece all day long. From Showmanship to Western Pleasure, you just have to remove or add the sleeves and you will avoid the run to the tack room after every discipline to change your clothes!

Nicola Eger is a competitor from Germany who just purchased one of this outfits from ekedie Show Clothing, and she shared her feedback with us. “Mel is a friend of my mum and I, and we know what sensational outfits she makes. So, we asked her if she could make me a Showmanship outfit. I wrote her my wishes, but most of the ideas came from Mel. She thought of creating an outfit that included a vest. It was, of course, a great idea! Mel has so many ideas. She is so creative and so patient. She obviously loves what she’s doing.”

“The outfit looked nicer with every email she sent me, but I never expected it would be that great. I really like that I can zip off the arms and wear it as a vest with a blouse. Moreover, for Showmanship, Mel made me three different ‘dickies’ to vary. I think the best part is that the outfit is really changeable, and I have lots of possibilities. I love it very much!”

I think this project could be really helpful to keep the horse show nerves under control! Moreover, it’s really innovative!

I would like to thank Mel for letting me know about her innovative project and for sending me the “work-in-progress” photos! Thank you!