Wellington, Fla.—Feb.12

While I mostly cover eventing when I travel for the Chronicle, I’m always very excited to head down to Wellington to cover the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, and not just because I get to see top horses like Verdades and Legolas in person.

Inspiration abounds, and I always come home feeling ready to sit up a little straighter, carry my hands a little higher, and push for that extra lift in the trot, but I’m also fascinated and inspired by the fashion!

Eventers tend to be a more traditional lot, though occassionally you’ll see a touch of sparkle in the dressage ring, so I love seeing the latest trends.

I don’t think I’ll ever be the rider to sport snakeskin full-seats, but I’ll admit I’ve added a little bling to my riding wardrobe since spending some time among the fashionistas of AGDF.

Of course, what the rider wears should never detract from the horse’s beauty, and the ensembles I’ve seen this week have all complemented their gorgeous mounts. I love seeing how every rider expresses his or her individuality.

Here’s a selection of my favorites!

Heather Blitz and Ripline in the CDI* Prix St. Georges.

Blitz really showed off her style with patent leather brown boots, a brown saddle, and brown shadbelly with a pink collar.

Ellesse Tzinberg of the Phillipines and Pavarotti in the CDI***** Grand Prix.

Look closely at Ellesse Tzinberg’s collar, and you’ll see some subtle sparkly designs.

Spain’s Juan Antonio Jimenez and Sunny Boy in the CDI***** Grand Prix.

Jimenez sported a rhinestone Spanish flag on his lapel, and Sunny Boy had the same on his bonnet. A flag also adorned the saddle pad.

Evi Strasser and Renaissance Tyme in the CDI***** Grand Prix.

Strasser’s gray shadbelly complemented her gelding’s coat.

 
Kasey Perry-Glass and Trostupland’s Scarlet in the CDI***** Grand Prix.

Perry-Glass went with a slate gray shadbelly and white collar that works well on her chestnut. Trostupland’s Scarlet sported a matching sparkled bonnet.

Arlene “Tuny” Page and Woodstock in the CDI***** Grand Prix.

Woodstock’s gorgeous liver chestnut coat was complemented by Page’s baby blue stock tie.

Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 in the CDI***** Grand Prix.

Always at the forefront of modern dressage fashion, Peters has sported this shadbelly with red buttons and points for the last couple of seasons. He also displays pins from the many international championships he’s attended. Legolas keeps it simple with a beaded browband.

Diana Porsche and Porsche’s Florencia in the CDI* Prix St. Georges.

Porsche went for subtle bling on her boots and helmet.

Leida Collins-Strijk and Don Tignanello in the CDI* Prix St. Georges.

The Dutch rider wore a navy shadbelly that worked well with her gelding’s gleaming chestnut coat. White piping really made it pop.

Leida Collins-Strijk and Don Tignanello in the CDI* Prix St. Georges.

Instead of buttons on the back of her shadbelly, Collins-Strijk sported rhinestone bars.

Michelle Batalla and Hendrix in the CDI* Prix St. Georges.

Riding for Costa Rica, Batalla’s blue-gray shadbelly and sparkly collar looked smashing against Hendrix’s coat.

Katharina Stumpf and For My Love in the CDI* Prix St. Georges.

No one will mistake whose boots these belong to.

Katharina Stumpf and For My Love in the CDI* Prix St. Georges.

Austria’s Stumpf wore a rhinestoned flag on her lapel and a cute elephant stock pin. Her shadbelly buttons glittered in the sun.

Raul Corchuelo and Beckham in the CDI* Prix. St. Georges.

Columbia’s Corchuelo wore a nice gray shadbelly with red points.