Blog — Page 4

Show Season Rider Lori Lawrence

September 1, 2014 by admin

So, I have been doing a lot of these Show Season rider style interviews, and I have been loving learning all about the fashionistas in our horse community. Having done quite a few of these style pieces now, it hit me that I haven’t done one on my closest horsie, loving partner-in-crime: my mom, Lori Lawrence.

The woman who introduced me into this horse-crazy world, she has been riding since way before I was born, starting at 5 years old (so basically all her life) on her sister’s pony.

“I started showing in my early teens, riding anything anyone would put me on – Quarter horses, Tennessee walkers, Saddlbreds… But I took a break when I started college and didn’t return until the early 1990s. It was then that I got involved with the Arabian breed.”

“I always had an affinity for Arabians – their beauty, intelligence and versatility. So when Carey and I got married we bought our first one – a beautiful grey halter horse – before we had even finished furnishing our house.”

“But it wasn’t until Nicole got old enough to ride and start showing with me that I bought my first Arabian saddleseat horse and put it in training with a barn about a mile away from our house with a trainer named Bridget White. It allowed me to combine my love for the saddleseat division with the most beautiful horse breed on the planet. Nothing better than that!”

About 20 years later my mom and I are now sitting on a plane together, conducting this interview, as we fly to go practice with Joel Kiesner in Tennessee.

Last year’s 2013 National Champion in the Half-Arabian English Pleasure 40 and over on Eves Fire, National Champion in the Purebred English Pleasure 40 and over on Nabasken Afire, and Reserve National Champion in the Purebred English Pleasure Maturity on NobleMis, Lori is gearing up once again for Nationals in October.

Learn all about this Show Season fashionista in this exclusive interview –

Show Season: Describe your riding fashion style.

Lori Lawrence: Melissa and Patti at Show Season know I like a classic suit with a little bling on the shirt and vest (well, maybe a lot of bling!). Having the perfect suit to complement my horse, and styled and tailored perfectly for me makes me feel great when I go trotting through the in-gate.

SS: What is your favorite head-to-toe riding outfit?

LL: My black satin suit paired with my turquoise vest that Show Season made for me the first year I showed Adams Fire back in 2007. Adam must have really rubbed some luck on it for me; I have won unanimously in it the past two years with his sister Eve. That makes it my favorite just for the sentimental value, for sure!

SS: Do you wear anything for good luck in the show ring?

LL: My Kiesner pin and my National Championship necklace that my mother bought me when I won my first Championship on Adam.

SS: What is one thing you never go in the ring without?

LL: Never without a good-luck wish from Nic and my Kiesner pin on my lapel!

SS: How would you describe your non-horse show style?

LL: Casual-chic. I live in San Diego so it’s jeans, t-shirts, maxi-dresses and flip-flops most of the year. But I still love to dress up with a great pair of designer heals in the evening! And maybe a studded shirt or two thrown in the mix as well.

SS: What are your riding goals for the future?

LL: My goals are to keep improving my riding skills each season, as well as turn in the best possible classes I can, come the Nationals!

SS: Who has been the most influential in your riding career?

LL: Joel Kiesner has certainly been the most influential in my riding career. His innovative training techniques and ability to convey them to me has lifted my horses and me to levels I never imagined we could achieve. Also, my relationship with my daughter Nicole, and our shared passion for the Arabians has had a huge impact on my riding career as well; It is so very unique and special to share it with someone you love.

Show Season Rider Holland Stevens

August 1, 2014 by admin

Ever think the yellow pages could change your life? Oh, wait, and change the course of it before you even were born.

Yeah, me either.

But it changed the course of Holland Stevens life!

“The reason I happen to be involved in the Arabian breed was completely random. My mom promised to find somewhere where my older sister could take lessons, so she opened the yellow pages and put her finger down randomly on the page, and it happened to be an Arabian barn,” explains Holland (that older sister being Madison Stevens, who many of you in the Arabian community probably also know). “She [Madison] always loved horses and took lessons here and there, so when I was born I was just thrown into it as well.”

Riding at three years old, she began showing at 8, and since then has kicked some serious booty.

At this year’s Youth Nationals she took home many titles, including

National Champion with Capt Jack Sparrow (aka ‘CJ’) in the H/A Western Pleasure 14-18 JOTR
National Champion with Capt Jack Sparrow in the H/A Western Pleasure 14-18 JTR
National Champion with GR Khliedescope (aka ‘Khylde’) in the Arabian Ladies Sidesaddle 18 and Under
National Champion with Khontroversey PGA (aka ‘Khontro) in the Arabian Western Pleasure 14-18 JTR
Reserve National Champion with Apollos Cary Grant (aka, ‘Moose’) in the H/A English Pleasure 14-18 JOTR
Reserve National Champion with Maverick Afire (aka ‘Mav’) in the Arabian Mounted Native Costume 18 and under
Reserve Natonal Champion with Wildfire LPR (aka ‘Willie’) in the H/A Country English Pleasure 14-18 JOTR

Learn more about this Show Season fashionista –

Show Season: Describe your riding fashion style.

Holland Stevens: I would say I like to keep my riding outfits clean cut, and not too distracting. It is important to stand out in the ring, but you don’t want to take away from your horse. It is also important to reflect the horse’s features and color into an outfit that makes the over all picture more pleasing to the judges.

SS: What is your favorite head-to-toe riding outfit?

HS: It is my day coat I wear for Half Arabian English: The jacket is black with a small blue oval pattern running through it and the pants are black. I wear it with a white or black vest, shirt, and tie.

SS: Do you wear anything for good luck in the show ring?

HS: I wear a small gold pin that I was wearing when I won my first national championship.

SS: What is one thing you never go in the ring without?

HS: Hair spray. Although it can be a sticky mess to put in, and it leaves your hair feeling like a rock, it is essential for having a nice clean-cut look that will only benefit you in the show ring.

SS: How would you describe your non-horse show style?

HS: My style ranges when I am not at a show. I live in Sun Valley, Idaho so it can get pretty cold during the winter, which definitely affects my style. But my go-to outfit all year would be a skirt and shirt – its comfortable and classic.

SS: What has been your biggest accomplishment as a rider?

HS: I would say my biggest accomplishment is just the fact that I love riding so much and have fun doing it. No other sport (that I have tried thus far) has ever made me want something so badly, or made me want to try and work for something so hard. To me that is the greatest success.

SS: What are your riding goals for the future?

HS: My goals are just to grow with my horses and find new things to improve on. I would like to become a better rider in general, as well as find ways to better myself in and out of the ring.

SH: Who has been the most influential in your riding career?

HS: There have been many people that have influenced me as a rider throughout the years – past and present trainers, family, friends, supportive teachers… Everyone really plays a big part in influencing my riding career, so it is hard for me to pick just one.

Show Season Rider Allie Cederberg

July 1, 2014 by admin

Revving up for Youth Nationals in just a few weeks, Show Season rider Allie Cederberg is no newbie to the show arena, competing since she was just 3 years old.

“I got involved with showing through my mom, who use to show,” she explains. But what really made her fall in love was the “beauty, intelligence and goofy personality” or the Arabian breed.

Last year this talented junior rider won Reserve National Champion in the PB English Pleasure 14-17, Top Ten in the HA Country 14-17, Top Ten in the PB Hunter 14-17, and Top Ten in HA Hunt Seat Equitation Not to Jump 14-17… and we can’t wait to see how she does this year.

Get to know Allie and her fashion style in our Show Season exclusive –

Show Season: Describe your riding fashion style.

Allie Cederberg: For lessons I wear whatever is comfortable and never forget my gold sparkly paddock boots! For showing I like to wear clothes that are different and new; I never want to be the same as anyone else.

SS: What is your favorite head-to-toe riding outfit?

AC: For practice, my favorite is lulu lemon t-shirts and my tailored sportsman breeches. For showing – my bright blue day coat I wear on my Half-Arabian Country horse, Shock and Awe DSF.

SS: Do you wear anything for good luck in the show?

AC: No, I’m not very superstitious.

SS: What is one thing you never go in the ring without?

AC: Lipstick. Every final touch counts!

SS: How would you describe your non-horse show style?

AC: Athletic. I pretty much live in lulu lemon!

SS: What has been your biggest accomplishment as a rider?

AC: Being able to successfully compete in multiple disciplines.

SS: What are your riding goals for the future?

AC: To continue to compete as an amateur for as long as I can.

SS: Who has been the most influential in your riding career?

AC: I couldn’t just pick one person. I have been blessed with the opportunity to ride and learn from so many great people.

Show Season Riders: The Beicker Sisters

June 15, 2014 by admin

The Beicker sisters – Brinley (9 years old) and Brylen (6 years old) – are definitely Show Season riders on the rise to watch!

These two talented young girls come from a line of riders. Their grandmother (Penny aka Gigi) and great aunt Laurie Long, grew up showing Arabian horses (many may remember the Mace girls and their horse Teak!).

As the older sister of the two, Brinley’s jump into the Arabian show world (although she had been already riding for quite some time) was the doing of great aunt, who was looking for help getting one of her horses (GS Knight Wind, aka Casper) qualified for a 2011 regional show.

Laurie said Casper needed one more qualifying point, and that if he and Brinley were able to place anywhere in the top three that he would have it.

So off they went to the Lone Star Classic at the Rose Palace in San Antonio, TX, and not only did Brinley make it into the top three but she placed second in the class!

“Well that led to going to the regional show, and Brinley was Reserve Champion in showmanship,” explained her mother, Katie.

“At that point, Laurie told us that if we were going any further showing, then her outfit needed to be updated. So off we went to the Show Season booth, and that’s where the Beicker Blue all started. After our first Youth Nationals, my husband and I realized that this was our girls ‘thing,’ and we support them whole-heartedly in it.”

And whole-heartedly they have. Just last year, Brinley brought home a National Championship in the A/HA/AA Showmanship JT 10 & under, a National Championship in the Arabian Western Seat Equation W/T 10 & Under, and Top Tens in the A/HA/AA Trail Walk/Jog 10 & under, the Arabian Western Pleasure Walk/Trot 10 & under, the HA/AA Western Pleasure Walk/Trot 10 & under, and the HA/AA Western Seat Equation W/T 10 & under.

Brinley winning Western Seat Equtaion on Dylan SA at youth '13 — Brinley winning Western Seat Equation on Dylan SA at Youth Nationals 2013

Brylen, on the other hand – at just 6 years old – has been wracking up the blue ribbons in lead line all the while, but this will be her first year going to Youth Nationals.

In and out of the show ring, not only are these girls high-class riders, but they are also high-class fashionistas. And we got the lowdown on their style –

Show Season: Describe your riding fashion style.

Brinley: BLUE. We like to joke around with Melissa that they need to rename the color to BEICKER BLUE. It is my color, and it is a pretty color that stands out without being too loud. And I feel comfortable in it.

Brylen: Blue for Western. I am also riding Hunter, and my Hunter jacket and shirts all have a hint of blue in them as well.

Show Season: What is your favorite head-to-toe riding outfit?

Brinley: I love my new Beicker Blue Equitation shirt that I just got from Show Season. It is the perfect amount of glitz, but is still very classy and age appropriate. I have only worn it at the Region 9 Championships so far, but I won both of those classes, so hopefully it keeps its winning ways.

Brylen: I love riding Hunter so I love my Hunter outfit. However, I really want to do Native Costume, Country English, and Park one day, and I already have all of those outfits picked out in my head.

Show Season: Do you wear anything for good luck in the show ring?

Brinley & Brylen: There is not an item that we go into the ring without. However, before we go in the ring each time, our Gigi starts the saying “First Impression….” and we finish it by saying “Last impression!” And then we punch our fists together or “pound it,” so that would have to be our good luck.

Show Season: What is one thing you never go in the ring without?

Brinley & Brylen: Our Horse. Other than that you just have to have a good attitude. We have worked really hard for this moment and we just hope that the judge sees that.

Brylen in line up at Scottsdale on Dylan SA — Brylen in the line up at Scottsdale on Dylan SA

Show Season: How would you describe your non-horse show style?

Brinley: Wind shorts and t-shirt. Anything that is comfortable and easy.

Brylen: I like fancy. I like skirts, pretty shirts, and doing my own hair.

Show Season: What has been your biggest accomplishment as a rider?

Brinley: Youth Nationals last year was amazing, so that is at the top of the list for sure. However, running a close second is winning my Trail class at Scottsdale this past February, with a score of a 76! It was only the second time I had taken my new mare into a trail class, and was only her third time to compete in one. We made a great team that day, and I cannot wait to see how she does this year at Youth.

Brylen: I have beaten my sister a couple of times in a class and that is always fun!

Brinley and HF Halle Bopp Scottsdale reserve champion western pleasure — Brinley and HF Halle Bopp – Scottsdale Reserve Champion Western Pleasure

Show Season: What are your riding goals for the future?

Brinley: This year I am adding Short Stirrup Reining to my competition schedule. So for the future I really want to keep learning more and always improving. Keep learning more about my horses and what can make us an excellent team.

Brylen: I want to keep learning and competing, and one day win Champion at Youth Nationals!!

Show Season: Who has been the most influential in your riding career?

Brinley & Brylen: My grandmother Gigi (Penny Mace Knippa) and my great aunt Laurie. They are constantly working with us to make us better, and teaching us new things that can help us be better riders and competitors.

See-Ya Laterz, Pimples

June 1, 2014 by admin

Get a picture-perfect, show ready, acne-less face with these really simple and cheap tips.

Lets begin with 5 important skin care rules:

+ You are what you eat
+ Don’t excessively (and needlessly) apply product
+ Just b/c it works for your friend, does not = it will work for you
+ Apply SPF ALWAYS, on your face, neck and hands
+ Keep it simple

You are what you eat.

If you eat a bunch of junk, it will show up on your skin.

Don’t believe me?

Try a juice cleanse.

Your skin will probably never have looked better than after you do a cleanse because it flushes out all the toxic waste in your body.

Here are some super foods that you can get at your local grocery store that will keep your complexion clear and beautiful (as well as keep your energy fueled up at the shows) –

+ Kale: This veggie is FULL of so many vitamins, like A, B, C, E & K, in addition to iron, potassium, protein, phosphorus and manganese. Personally, it is not my fav tasting veggie, but there is good reason it is #1 on my list, so I work at liking it.

+ Sweet potatoes: I LOVE sweet potatoes, but so many people often automatically assume they are full of carbs because they are in the potato family [and that they are subsequently bad]. In truth, however, they are packed with vitamin A (which is the leading ingredient in many acne medications). And they also combat free radicals (which cause aging).

+ Flaxseeds: Not only does this fabulous seed battle acne, but it is also additionally known to take away inflammation! And they are super yummy when mixed in Greek yogurt, sprinkled on fruit or salads, blended in smoothies, added to oatmeal, or cooked in baked goods!

+ Nuts: Nuts make/keep one’s skin plump and vibrant! And they are filled with vitamin E (especially almonds)!

+ Salmon: Not be my fish of choice (I like more mild flavors), but it is packed with omega fatty acids, which promotes healthy, radiant skin (so I force myself to try and like it).

+ Eggs: These babies are full of protein, antioxidants, and vitamin E. And (added bonus!) they keep you nice and full for hours!

+ Oranges: Everyone knows that oranges are jam-packed with vitamin C… but did you know Vitamin C helps protect the skin for scarring? Amazing.

If you want tons of acne, eat tons of these junky foods:

+ Salt: It causes bloating as well as inflammation (hello, acne!)

+ Sugar: Has a tendency to damage collagen & elastin in your skin (great.

+ Alcohol: It’s 1 of the most dehydrating things you can consume (i.e., not so good for your skin)

+ White bread: Sadly white bread causes anti-nutrients (?!!!), which means that it makes it hard for your body to absorb any sort of nutrients, vitamins or minerals.

[[Keep in mind: What you eat in a decade will show up on your skin in the next; i.e., what you eat in your 20s will appear on your skin in your 30s, and so on and so on.]]

Okay, so now that we are cleared up on the super-foods and the not-so-super-foods for healthy skin, let’s talk product.

Don’t excessively (and needlessly) apply product

Lets be honest, applying 40 pounds of skin-care products won’t magically beautify your skin.

But I am going to share with you all my biggest skin care secret for happy, healthy skin: a bar of all-natural soap.

How ridiculously easy is that?

I found out this super-secret when I couldn’t figure out what the heck was going on with my skin (it was all of a sudden breaking out and uber-sensitive). So I went to the dermatologist, and she told me to stop all of my over-use of products and buy an all-natural bar of soup to use twice a day. And, guess what. It worked. I went home, tried her recommendation, and after a few days my skin was glowing

Okay, so other recommendations –

If you have really dry skin (like me), make sure you always take your makeup off at night, keep your coffee drinking to 1x a day (drink more water, less coffee), and apply a moisturizer that is all-natural (if you haven’t realized yet I’m big on all-natural).

Oh, and to all you pimple poppers – if you are going to mess with your skin, do it after you take a hot shower, and always wash your hands first and use a tissue.

Be cautious when it comes to trying out friends products

Experimentation is fab, but experiment smart.

Before you slather a product all over your face that swears to get rid of wrinkles, try it out on a small area of your leg or something.

Everyone’s skin is unique. Do what works best for you, not your mom, not your bestie, not your horse…you!

SPF ALWAYS on your face, neck and hands

When girls ask me about my skin, the 1^st thing I tell them is SUNCREEN.

I know, I know. But you “look better with a tan.”

Well, you do not look better with skin cancer, sunspots or pigmentation.

Point: If you want picture-perfect skin, keep the heck out of the sun & always wear sunscreen.

Keep it simple

Stress shows up on your face.

Stress will make any pimple, blackhead or zit worse.

Don’t overcomplicate your life or skin care routine. Less stress = clearer skin.

[[ …Or, if all else fails, just put on your kick-ass Show Season suit which I always feel helps to detract attention from any surprise pimples that inevitably appear on my face 😉 ]]