The Modern Equestrian Lifestyle Love, Tradition, Style & Equine Earrings

Story and Photos By Marin Resnick

The passion for horses, and the sport, is the primary reason all equestrians get out of bed. Besides passion, there’s a reverence for the equestrian couture which gets all equestrians going.

One such equestrian is Mary Anne Gerrity. Gerrity, at 80years-young, s�ll gets in the saddle almost every day on her gelding, Welly, and shows off her equine couture, just as she’s done for decades.

The equine couture, which Gerrity and most equestrians adore, encompasses not only the classic styles of show coats and high boots, but also the simple elegant earrings that go along with a horsemen’s sophis�ca�on.

“In the 1960s, we went to Eisers, in Hillside, New Jersey, to get tailored britches, for when you were showing,” Gerrity, a resident of Tewksbury Township, New Jersey, said. “Back then you had a wool blue show jacket, a ratcatcher, brick britches and a velvet hat.”

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“Velvet helmets were my favorite tradition, hands down,” Elissa Allen-Schlotterbeck, owner of Even Stride farm, in Tewksbury Township, New Jersey said. Allen-Schlotterbeck was sitting on a tack trunk talking to Gerrity, as Gerrity Gerrity groomed her gelding. “It’s so wrong to wear anything other than a velvet helmet, for sure,” Allen-Schlotterbeck said. “ I wore my 0ld-school Charles Owen till I had to give it up. I really like the old stuff, but the new fabrics are really nice.”

Today’s equestrians agree the traditional style is one which they have a devoted fondness for, and many are becoming endered to the new fabrics and updated looks found in the ring now.

“While the equestrian sport is still conservative and values tradition, I certainly feel that it has started to modernize over the years,” Accounts and Marketing Manager for Horesefilight, Natasha Williams said. “No longer are the days of velvet caps and wool hunt coats. Although still subdued, riders are adding a touch of flair to their ensemble, whether it be a flashy pair of earrings, some sparkle on their helmet, or a fun belt. It’s all about showing a little bit of personality while still honoring the history of the sports attire.” Ivy Kessler, a mom, who works as a PATH Intl. Certified Registered Instruction for Mane Stream, in Tewksbury Township, New Jersey, and a jumper riding with Desiderio Farms, in Chester, New Jersey, agreed with William’s sentiments. “While there is a mandatory attire you have to wear, you are able to put your own twist on it with different color coats and show shirts with colorful collars,” Kessler said. “Earrings are a really important part of my riding attire because I like to use them as a hook to keep my hair net from slipping.”

Mary Anne Gerrity, a lifetime equestrian, congratulates her gelding, Welly, for helping her to win a dressage show as an 80th birthday present. Gerrity is wearing sapphire blue cubic zirconia, rhodium plated, push back earring, dipped in sterling silver. “I have always been a conservative dresser for business, and for riding,” Gerrity said. “I think there is a lot to be said for keeping traditions.”

Elissa Allen-Schlotterbeck, owner of Evenstride Farm, in New Jersey, is pictured here with her thoroughbred mare, Pepper. Allen-Schlotterbeck is wearing push back, rhodium plated, sterling silver rose themed earrings, as well as blue zirconia, rhodium plated, sterling silver dipped earrings. “These earrings are great,” AllenSchlotterbeck said. “Being a horse person, I don’t have time to fuss with jewelry everyday. I sleep, swim, ride in these earrings. They are comfortable and durable.”