By: Ambassador Amy Bieber

​Last summer, I finally got to show at my goal fence height for two glorious rounds, one of which landed me my first first place in a jumper class ever. A month later at our next show, I went in to do a lower “warm up” round on the first day, and was promptly thrown off my horse. So it goes with horses, am I right? But where I could pick my younger self up off the ground and get going again like it never happened, my adult self does not bounce back so quickly.

It’s 8 a.m. and I am in a folding camp chair I have fished out of the horse trailer. There is a soft breeze, bright blue skies, sunlight filtered through swaying trees. The smell is unmistakably horse show; hoof oil, fly spray, show sheen, freshly shampooed horses and faintly, coffee. Through a perfect set of happy accidents I am at the George Morris Clinic at Smoke Tree Ranch in Scottsdale.

​Alexis and her horse Budweis'czar (Bud) compete in the 3'3" amateur owner hunter division on the A Circuit up and down the East Coast at shows such as Pennsylvania National, WIHS and Southeast Medal Finals (SEMF) in now held in Tampa, Florida..

By: Ambassador Olivia Carr
Impostor syndrome (also known as impostor phenomenon or fraud syndrome or the impostor experience) is a concept describing individuals who are marked by an inability to internalize their accomplishments and a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud". [Wikipedia]

By Ambassasor Laurel Hanna

My return to showing has not been easy. I feel like I get two steps ahead, and then 28 steps back. I knew it would be rough. I did. It’s not the same as when I was younger. It’s trying and tiring. I am so sore most days and often ask myself if it’s all worth all the work.

By: Ambassador Elizabeth Noelk
I remember the first time I clipped a horse. I was in high school and worked part time at the barn where I rode. One weekend I was helping prepare the horses for a local horse show. I was just cleaning up their muzzles and ears. As I went to clip the edge of a horse ear, the horse moved and I took a patch off the top. It was more than noticeable. All I could think was, “Oh snap.” Over four years later, I now clip horses throughout the week during the winter months. Yes, there are “winter months” even in Florida.

By Ambassador Alexis Martin

Since the first time I walked into a show ring, I have always been taught how showing is much more than blue ribbons, bows and having the most expensive horse. Like most things in life, sportsmanship is a HUGE part of riding and an even larger part of showing.

By Ambassador Laurel Hanna

So, a lot has changed since I showed as a junior.  Like… Oh about 20 years.  It used to be I would wake up at 4:30 am (or earlier) and spring out of bed, dashed into the car (I’d packed the night before) and turned up the Dave Matthew’s as loud as I could stand racing through the dark morning to get to the show grounds. I’d muck out 7 or 8 stalls in a fury to spend hours grooming my horse and getting ready. Then I’d spend the day chatting with barn mates and friends while I looked forward to my class. Waiting for 8 hot (hey, I’m in SC- it’s always hot) hours was no problem. I’d go into my class with a smile on my face and be a little bummed if we didn’t ribbon at the end of it.

As adult amateurs we know what we like and when we find a product that fits us [pun intended] and our lives in almost every way, we become über loyal customers and cross our fingers that they never stop making it. One such product for many adult amateurs is the beloved Tailored Sportsman breeches. From their quality and rainbow color selection to their sizes and length options, how can you not love them?!

Here's a little ode to my Tailored Sportsman breeches...