The Scout Guide Equestrian | Blog

It’s that time of year when the sound of horn and hound take over the countryside and many a rider and horse team engage in the time-honored fall foxhunting season. Curious about what to wear while out in the field? Maybe need some recommendations for a new frock? Or it’s time to replace your hunt whip? Or are you going to spectate and mingle at breakfast after the hunt and need some tweed? Check out what Tri-County Feeds, Fashions & Finds has for you. Carrying high-quality brands, they’ve got you covered from formal hunt wear to countrywear, ready-to-wear or custom-tailored!

Two’s Company Foxhunt Candle Holder $45; Northrun Pewter Hunt Flask and case $275; Northrun Hunt Horn w/ case $180; Northrun Bone handle Hunt Crop $250

Alexander James Mens Cubbing Tweed $799; Lilo Collection Silk Tie $44

Wonderful selection of cubbing and formal hunt clothing.

Lettia Fox Mask Wraps $29.99 Lettia Fox Mask Pad $59.99

Alexander James Side Saddle Habit Wool – price upon request; RJ Classics Canary Vest $99; Perky Plumes Arrianne Feather Topper $40; Conner Black Satin Bow Cloche $45

Der Dau Brown Cubbing Boot $799; Charles Owen H2000 Helmet $269.99; Tailored Sportsman Rust Breeches $189.99

Tori Anna Design Red Hunt Handbag $275; Calcutt & Sons Ltd Knit Gloves $40

Stop on by and see them in person (their helpful and always delightful staff are ready to help you find what you are looking for).

Follow them on:

Saturday night at the Longines Masters of Los Angeles was the epitome of glamour, prestige and excitement with top-level show jumping and entertainment at the Long Beach Convention Center. The evening featured two renowned classes: The Emirates Gold Cup and the Pro-Am Style & Competition for Charity. The third night of the prestigious competition attracted celeb spectators Kaley Cuoco, William Shatner, Selma Blair, Arianna Rockefeller and Izabella Miko.

The Emirates Gold Cup showcased the power and agility of show jumping as the world’s best riders jumped the course designed by Uliano Vezzani. After a competitive first round, the top ten and their horses took to the course again. The winning round came to an exciting finish as the French swept the podium. Kevin Staut and Elky van het Indihof HDC claimed the top prize with a time of 35.52 seconds, with Simon Delestre and Julien Epaillard coming in second and third, respectively.

The morning portion of the competition was highlighted with the City of Long Beach Trophy class, in which Steve Guerdat took home the top prize with a time of 33.83 seconds. Also in the morning session, the Terranea Resort Trophy was won by Estelle Navet, while Amelie Bittar claimed the Ecuries d'Ecaussinnes Trophy.

The afternoon and evening showcased the fun and philanthropic aspect of the Longines Masters Series with the much-anticipated Pro-Am Style & Competition for Charity. The event featured seven teams, each consisting of one professional rider and one amateur rider, each competing for the charity of their choice while in full costume and riding to music matching the theme.

The team with the best style was decided by a celebrity jury composed of Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan, Lawrence Zarian, and entertainment reporter Sam Rubin. Winners were judged on the number of penalties, the teams’ style and elegance, as well as the horses’ style.

Nayel Nassar and teammate Sloan Elmassian were crowned the Pro-Am for Charity winners dressed as disco kings with afros and all to benefit Ride On, an organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people with disabilities through equine-related therapy, recreation and fun. Other notable competitors included Steven Spielberg’s daughter, Destry Spielberg and Jane Richard-Phillips riding as samurai ninjas competing on behalf of Just World International.

The seven teams included: · Kristin Hardin and Nikki Hirt for Compton Jr. Posse Youth Equestrian Program

· Nayel Nassar and Sloan Elmassian for Ride On

· Francie Steinwedell-Calvin and Vani Khosla for Thrive Animal Rescue

· Destry Spielberg and Jane Richards-Phillips for Just World International

· Will Simpson and Ben Ebeling for Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases

· Eduardo Menezes and Jean-Christophe Mely for Special Spirit

· Joie Gatlin and Chandler Meadows for Semper Fi Fund

Before each class, spectators were treated to the unique, up-close experience of watching the world’s best riders warm up. Located in the heart of the Prestige Village, the paddock mirrored the extravagance of the brands on display including Longines and Hermès with a luxurious Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4.

RANI ARABELLA: The Fall 2016 Collection is inspired by a passion for impeccable quality and timeless design. Offering a complete lifestyle collection, hand-made in Italy, and using the world’s finest cashmere and luxury fabrics.

RANI ARABELLA FLAGSHIP BOUTIQUE: 1173 LEXINGTON AVENUE (@ 80TH ST)

Follow them on:

The Delaware Valley Combined Training Association (DVCTA) Quadrille will present a Tribute to the Red, White, and Blue on Sunday, October 2nd at Dressage at Devon (DAD) during the lunch performance break. “The Quad Squad will honor the heroes of September 11th and pay tribute to the first responders who keep us safer every day,” said Anne Miller of the DVCTA.

Above: The Quad Squad at a performance. (Source: DVCTA’s Facebook page)

Sunday’s quadrille will consist of 12 horses and riders plus three mounted flag bearers executing intricate patterns in the historic Dixon Oval. Each rider on the Quad Squad is a member of DVCTA and gives countless hours to practice and perform with the team. The Quad Squad is sponsored by Unionville Equine Associates of Oxford, PA, enabling the team to purchase new costumes for their performance.

The DVCTA and DAD have a long history, dating back to 1975 when Dressage at Devon was born. This year will be the fifth year that the DVCTA Quadrille has performed at DAD.

“Quadrille riding is all about synchrony, spacing and alignment,” added Miller. “The patterns and performances are the result of the dedication of the riders and both horses and their riders love it!”

In addition to the Quadrille, Sunday will feature fine dressage performances as well as the Fall Festival with boutique shopping and great food, special exhibitions by the Tempel Lippizans, and the Dressage Explorers program with activities for the younger set.

For the love of horses: An exhibit on the theme of horses and the people who love them, juried by artist Debby Thomas, includes paintings, photos, drawings, and leather work by various artitsts, including TSGE’s Janie Shrader of Shrader Leather. The exhibit will run through October at the Morin Gallery at the Arts Center in Orange, Virginia. Opening reception is Thursday, October 6th from 5-7 pm. Stop on by and enjoy and evening out celebrating the arts!

Looking for that something special to make you stand out in the show ring? Or, perhaps you’re a stickler for quality and enjoy the details that often accompany clothing made for you and by you. If so, then HABiT by Valencia Sport Saddlery is for you! (Don’t worry if you’re not West Coast - the folks at VSS are so super nice and wonderful to work with and make ordering long distance a breeze!)

They are working with two Los Angeles manufacturers for their shirts and coats. The shirts are made right in L.A. and the jackets are tailored a hop, skip and a jump from Cali in Hong Kong.

There are hundreds of luxury grade fabrics to choose from for both main body and exclusive trims, so tap your inner Creative Princess. And, get this. If you like a certain something on a jacket that you’ve had since you were, oh, say 10 years old (like the way the back venting was cut and sewn), and you want that on your new jacket, but of course nobody does that anymore, you can have it with HABiT! They’ll figure it out and will have it tailored by them for you. NIFtY.

And down the road, plans include expanding fabric options to more of the latest and greatest in the technical department, plus traditional linens for the über-style-obessed-dressed equestrienne. And new in 2017, design and craft your own hunter shadbelly and stock ties.  (sorry DQ’s, you’ll have to stick to Pikeur for now.)

But what about the fit, you ask? What if I get my shirt or jacket and the darn thing needs a tweak here or there? Well, they’ve got you covered! This is bespoke, folks. And what that means is that first, you’ll get measured and pick out all your fabrics and settle on your “this is SO me” combination. Then second, your shirt or jacket is made and you’ll have another fitting where you might get “pinned” for any if-needed final, minor tweaks, which are all in preparation for that “I was born in this shirt” look at your final fitting (and no, it’s not the Maybelline nor a direct order from The Boss). Because of the custom nature of HABiT and the relationships that VSS has with their tailors, you can be sure you’ll have the perfect fitting shirt or jacket.

But what if I can’t afford that right now, but I LOVE the look? Well, they’ve thought of that, too. The HABiT Play Shirt is designed for practice days. Taking the lead from a good looking show shirt, they’ve punched it up with fun prints for seasonal wear and a casual collar. This gives every ride a polished look, whether schooling or in a clinic or out on a hack. VSS has also created ready-to-wear jackets, giving you a different look than the usual off-the-rack options at an affordable price.

If you are the competitive, astute, riding fashionista looking for classic lines and traditional tailoring with a twist, then HABiT is for you.

The City Lux M is luxury equestrian accessories at its finest. Made by hand in Florence Italy, no detail is overlooked. This all-leather bag embodies the classic equestrian chic ideal and is made with the best materials and fabrication in the world. Interchangeable flaps, easily zipped in and out, express your style  – change them seasonally, monthly or daily.

The City Lux – combining personalization with luxurious fabrication – evolves the concept of an ‘it bag’ to your bag…. As poet laureate Richard Eberhart’s so rightly quipped: “Style is the perfection of a point of view”.

Something old, something new - some in sterling, some in blue. These new pieces from (evy) are divine (the barn collection). Dripping with semi-precious stones and pearls, antique pendants, needle and match cases, and lockets are given a new breath of life. Each signature piece is handcrafted by the talented Evy McPherson, whose eye for combining vintage finds with glittery strands of gold creates works of rustic elegance. Be sure to stop on by while at either the Sacramento or Del Mar International Horse Shows going on at the end of this month and into October to try on a little bit of rustic elegance for yourself. Below, a few of my selected favorites.

Above: One necklace, three-ways. But really, the possibilities for how to style this beautiful piece are endless. Surrounded in pearls, pyrite, and labradorite, this vintage horseshoe with whip locket is the perfect gift for your huntress to wear to this year’s hunt ball.

Above: Something a little more simple, but not any less beautiful. Vintage heart horseshoe pendant, engraved with a “B” on the back, with sterling horseshoe charm. Maybe that “B” is for the BRAVE lady on horseback in your life. Or maybe it’s for Baby, as in “Nobody puts Baby in a corner” à la Patrick Swayze?

TSGE artist, Lisa Curry Mair of Canvasworks Designs, spent the last few months sketching, painting in miniature, and prepping three 15-foot spans of canvas, culminating in an historic montage depicting the countryside and setting of a Lyme, NH home and farm. Incorporated in the scene are the North Country Hounds, the area’s foxhunting club, which the homeowner’s are members of. Other NCH members and their horses also made their way into the mural and historical photographs provided additional creative inspiration.

Lisa’s process in creating these murals is something of a feat in and of itself. She takes not only the time to research the locale, but she also spends a large amount of time talking with the client to find out their vision for the mural, as well as visiting the place in which it will ultimately be hung. This allows her to have a full “picture” in her head by taking in the sense of place personally. She does pencil sketches first, before moving onto mini painted sketches - all in an effort to first visualize then play with color and layout before moving onto the larger, finished pieces. And as you can see, she is quite adept at then applying those images to monstrous sections of painstakingly prepared canvas, creating the ultimate bespoke work of art for her clients. They are truly breathtaking.

Word on the street is that the reserved seating is going quickly but with the Grand Prix Ticket Package you can sit comfortably for three days of dressage performance classes. Reserved seats for Friday, Saturday and Sunday (seat location may be different each day) are available for $66.00 for three full days of exciting performances, great shopping and food to satisfy every tastebud.

This year, Dressage at Devon will also host a United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) dressage exam for Senior (S) judges. These judge candidates have ridden at the Grand Prix level and have qualified themselves for the program by judging extensively over many years. They have spent the past 12 months in an intensive training program, apprenticing under the best dressage judges in the US. Wish them luck with the live judging exam they will take during the show on Friday and Saturday. The examiners for the testing will be Jayne Ayers and Natalie Lamping.

Additional opportunities for education at DAD include the Young Handler Seminar and, for the younger equestrian set, the Dressage Explorers program, taking place October 2nd, will offer educational games, a scavenger hunt, a meet-and-greet with the Tempel Lipizzans.

Also on Sunday, the Delaware Valley Combined Training Association will perform with a 12-horse “quadrille,” showing off extensive training of horses and riders.

About Dressage at Devon Dressage at Devon has been a premier North American Equestrian event since its founding in 1975. It combines world-class dressage competition and the world’s largest open breed show with the international Fall Festival show and special activities for the entire family. The six-day event attracts hundreds of riders from around the world and thousands of spectators. Dressage at Devon is a 501(c) (3) PA non-profit organization, benefiting equine education.

The iconic Menlo Charity Horse Show is known for making memories and in wrapping up it’s 46th year, those memories are multi-generational. As one of the finest equestrian events in the United States, it has established not only a strong tradition of providing outstanding equine competition, but also one of philanthropy through it’s fund-raising efforts for numerous charities, including Planned Parenthood, Amigos De Las Americas, and Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Menlo’s current charitable partner, the Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, is the premier resource for individuals with vision loss in San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties, helping clients reach their highest potential through programs that promote independence and improve quality of life. Over the past two decades, Menlo has raised over six million dollars for the Vista Center.

Catherine Harvey (of Rhys Vineyards) is a Co-Chair for MCHS and perhaps says it best, “There is truly is nothing like it (Menlo), the venue (a private club in the middle of a residential neighborhood), the sponsors, the committee…..what show do you go to where your prizes are from ELLA, Stephen Silver, Tiffany & Co, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Shreve & Co? If you want an intimate, boutique show, with fabulous food, fabulous vendors and amenities, this is it. It is really the whole package.”

And all for a great cause. Hope to see you there next year - mark your calendars! MCHS 2017 will be held from August 8th-13th.  

On Sunday, August 28th Annabelle Gundlach of Postage Stamp Farm celebrated her team’s victory against Tupungato in the late afternoon match on opening day of the East Coast Open. Held at the Greenwich Polo Club, the ECO is considered to be one of the most prestigious polo competitions in the United States, featuring eight of polo’s top teams competing in the 20-goal tournament. This is high-goal polo and the best of the best are playing. And Yours Truly was there to experience it first-hand.

Above Left: Annabelle Gundlach of Postage Stamp Farm celebrates her team's victory as Postage Stamp Farm defeated Tupungato in Sunday's East Coast Open match-up. Above top-right and bottom-right: A bit of the action as viewed from the Grandstand.

Admittedly, I’m a total newbie to Polo. I know nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero. From my perspective (probably shared with a whole lotta other folks, too), the world of Polo seems almost impossibly glamorous: a private elite club of the well-financed set, with a few royals thrown in for good measure, horses everywhere, and of course lots of champagne parties that are seemingly swarming with extremely beautiful people.

Yes, there were plenty of beautiful people at GPC on Sunday; riders and spectators alike - though I wouldn’t count myself as one of them. It was hot and humid and I was somewhat of a sweaty mess, slowly melting into a puddle of damp hair and damp clothing. Not much to be done about it, but smile and just enjoy myself. I was there, after all, to learn about this sport and little did I know that I would be schooled by the best of the best.

What I learned is that polo is indeed all those things we think of, but look closer and there is so much more to it.  Seriously. It is a bit of a game for the wild at heart; all guts and glory and high adrenalin. But also a game dedicated to excellent horsemanship, humbleness, and a focus on life’s most important: friends and family. This is a world where a talented kid from Canada that wasn’t supposed to live to see his 15th birthday can rise to become a sought after polo star. It’s also a world where amateurs and professionals often compete together, and where women can and do compete with, and against, men (though apparently the pay has yet to break through the glass ceiling. And yes, those are Annabelle’s breeches in the photo below**.).  **Editorial comment: Annabelle clarified for me that “Pay Me Like A Man” is one of her sponsors and is an organization/company working to shine a very bright spotlight on the issue of equal pay by bringing attention to the fact that women in all industries earn less than men for doing the same job and the same work and isn’t specific to polo.

Above: Nick Manifold, Yours Truly, and Michael Davis. Sidenote: many of you know that I come from a hunter/jumper background and now as an adult rider, my focus is on dressage. That means I follow dressage a bit more closely and tend to know the names and horses and such as any fan would. So,I just about fell over when I realized that the “Davis” I was sitting next to was none other than the father of the accomplished junior dressage star Bebe Davis. Yeah. That girl. The one that just won the National Championship for Young Riders. Congrats, Bebe!

I was so lucky to be introduced to many of the players, including a few that are considered legends of the sport and current superstars, like that gentleman to my right, Nick Manifold. Yes, I KNOW! Nick Manifold!!!!!! Both Nick, and friend and amateur player, Michael Davis (the gentleman to my left), were so kind in answering my questions and sharing their time with me. Nick and I talked “shop” when it comes to breeding polo ponies - he’s a wealth of knowledge and the preferred breed is a 7/8th's Thoroughbred crossed with a Quarter Horse or Argentine pony, that has a good, medium-bone to them, with the stamina of the Thoroughbred and the agility of the Quarter Horse. When I asked him what he looks for most in a horse, he was quick to respond, “You always look for a horse with good conformation; one that is well put-together but that also has a great character with athletic ability.” Good breeding is good breeding, regardless of the discipline.

And Michael filled me in on comparisons in riding style of polo ponies versus dressage horses. Just like good breeding is good breeding, good riding is good riding and the polo ponies are very much tuned into seat, thigh and knee pressure and riders prefer horses that are responsive to the seat and light in the bridle. (P.S. - Michael has also earned his scores for the USDF silver medal, so the guy knows a bit about the nature of the question posed to him.)

I also sat and spoke with Nic Roldan (sorry ladies! He was a bit camera-shy...), Brandon Phillips, Annabelle Grundlach, Joao Paulo Ganon, Naco Taverna, Kris Kampsen, the one-and-only Matias Magrini, and Leighton Jordan, who is also the managing director of GPC and the Northeast Circuit Governor of the United States Polo Association. I learned all about what a chukker is (7 1/2 minute period of play), how long a game lasts (about 2 hours) the tack used (bridle differences vary between type of bits, reins, and use of martingales and the saddles are pretty bare bones compared to my dressage saddle), the different shots a polo player can make (too many to describe here), and what the “line of the ball” is (think of it as the “right of way” of the ball that can’t be crossed, or a penalty is given. All for safety.). I simply cannot thank them enough for their time, kindness, and generosity in showing this polo “newbie” the ropes. Rest assured, my curiosity is piqued and I see a polo lesson outing in my future. 

Above: Brandon Phillips and Yours Truly. This man has a heart of gold and an incredible story.

I hope to see you right back at the Greenwich Polo Club for the final match of the East Coast Open on September 11th. It’s sure to be a wonderful time, filled with tons of action. Pack a cooler and grab the lawn chairs and a blanket. Bring the kids. And your dog. Come and check it out, or find a match near you. Polo is everywhere. So go. Mix. Mingle. Be seen. Or not. Up to you. Make it your Own. Because that is what Polo is all about. 

TICKETS & INFORMATION Tickets are available for the East Coast Open at www.greenwichpoloclub.com/eco/tickets/. Gates open at 1:00 p.m. and matches start at 3:00 p.m. The field address is 1 Hurlingham Drive, Greenwich, CT 06831

Where to Stay: The beautiful Delamar Greenwich Harbor is convenient to everything and offers nothing but the best to guests. Be sure to book some time in their Spa and take a walk to explore the harbor and town. Below: The view from my room.

Where to Eat: No trip to Greenwich would be complete without visting Gabriele’s for a delicious steak and all-the-sides meal, complete with excellent wine choices for the oenophile. Gather your friends for an upscale but casual dining experience after the match.

Or, if seasonal ingredients and grilling is your thing, you cannot go wrong with booking yourself a table at Geoffrey Zakarian’s The National. You can reserve your table in advance of the match (recommended), or even field-side day-of. Below: The bartenders busy mixing it up and pouring for guests at GPC.

PELAGE noun | pel·age | \ˈpe-lij\

You’ve seen him before. He’s the incredibly talented photographer whose equine portraits meld horse and landscape together, creating heirloom photographs of the noble steed that are unique, balanced, and equally beautiful. However, you probably aren’t familiar with some of Leon Steele’s other work that focuses on imagery and abstract design through the form, texture, and color patterns of equine and bovine fur. This collection, named “Pelage”, reminds one of the time-honored combinations of earth, sea and sky. Some take on the gentle form and slope similar to sand dunes or those revered-by-skiers snow covered mountain pistes, the pattern of the moon, or ridge lines. Simply stunning and serene, this collection has exhibited in New York and Paris, and has been merited by the Association of Photographers in London.

Like what you see?  Leon Steele is available for commission portrait work and sells limited edition fine art prints of his Pelage, Akindale, and Boxhill collections. All images are also available in large format archival C-prints in limited editions of six.

“In the far and mighty West, where the crimson sun seeks rest”...you will find H Bar Omega Farm, a perfect equestrian home with grand mountain views.

DETAILS // A 7.97-acre equestrian haven. Nonpareil in every way from each corner of its picturesque grounds to its structures, built with an eye towards detail and quality. The 4 bedroom, 4 bath, 4,500+ square foot timber frame home with a 3-bay garage has a beautifully updated kitchen and all the important spaces you need like a den, a rec room and more. The meticulously appointed barn has a 2 bedroom, 1.75 bath guest home above it that overlooks the 60' round pen, the 100' x 200' riding arena, scenic fenced pastures, lush lawns, mature foliage, the greenhouse and a pond with Munger Mountain and the Snake River and Teton Ranges jutting up in the background. This compelling property will lure you in and, like others who have visited, you will find yourself hoping you can stay forever.

CONTACT // Spackmans & Associates

This spring, Noel Asmar unveiled The Artist Series collection with a limited edition print t-shirt. The artwork featured in this shirting collection is by Canadian Artist, Shannon Lawlor.

Both images selected for the shirts reflect the beauty and calm exuded by the magnificent horse. The chic and flowing top creates an effortlessly casual look and has been printed on a lightweight, breathable and environmentally friendly linen. It’s perfect, really, for the barn paired with your favorite breeches, or for a night out accompanied by your favorite blazer, boyfriend jeans and heels. 

Ironically, the same week that I had heard about Asmar’s Artist Series, Lawlor’s artwork came across my “desk” again, when I opened an email announcing that one of her paintings, “Flexible Soul,” had been chosen for the official poster of the 2016 Hampton Classic. That was it. I needed to find out more. Who is this artist? And how did Noel Asmar come across her work?

So, I picked up the phone and posed a few questions to the wonderfully accessible and generous Ms. Asmar herself. I also got on the phone with Shannon to find out more about her as an artist and the process in which she paints.

What I found out was that Shannon and Noel had met about a year before and that Noel was incredibly impressed by the quality and attention to detail in Shannon’s paintings. And indeed, her paintings are magnificent. They are moving to the point of tears (at least, that’s my reaction to her work. I can only imagine what a blubbering, weepy mess I will become when I actually see an original piece of hers in front of me, rather than online.) A self-taught artist, she has worked to perfect her technique and studied with some of the best in her genre. Her talent and artistic eye for capturing the horse in paint is unparalleled, supported by her life-long pursuit of the horse in art and armed with the knowledge of the animal as an avid equestrian.

To create her works, Shannon prepares her “canvasses” months in advance. She paints on wood. Yes, that’s right. Wood. Baltic birch to be exact. She sources this wood herself, and then preps it with gesso after sanding and smoothing. And she does this all in one go. She has to because she lives in Alberta, Canada – a beautiful part of the world, but not necessarily a place known for warm winters. Therefore, the work has to be done in the warmer months to allow the primer to dry and set, and then these are carefully stored away, ready to be painted in the studio during the colder months.

Her images are all painted in acrylic and she carefully brushes on layer upon layer, playing with light and color, to create her incredible life-like art that captures details to a near-photographic level. Once finished, the piece is then protected and preserved by a clear top-coat.

“Shannon is very passionate about her art and horses and she inspired me to do something that would help feature up and coming artists.  When I decided to feature an artist on our clothing Shannon was the first that came to mind.” – Noel Asmar

As a fashion designer, Noel is, of course, constantly seeking new inspiration and ideas, and has a natural draw towards art that is beautiful and representative of the surroundings. In viewing Shannon’s work, she saw the possibility of bringing the horse, by fusing fashion and art together, to equestrians and non-equestrians alike and believes that everyone loves to wear beautiful pieces of clothing and enjoys viewing beautiful works of art. What better way to help other artists highlight their work than by having it be part of an exquisite clothing line, allowing the art to be seen and felt? I couldn’t agree more. Two of Shannon’s existing works were selected: “Breathe” and “Casey” and these images also represent two sides of the same coin: white and black, light and dark, delicate and strong.

I asked about how much input and influence Shannon was able to provide throughout the design process and was impressed to hear that the collaboration between these two awe-inspiring women was thick throughout. The specific selection and use of linen as the base material for the shirts, as opposed to, say, the traditional cotton, Noel says, “It provides a textured canvas that compliments the art and rather than a literal print, the translucency of the linen top can be worn anywhere -- it's very current and in fashion.”

When asked how she’ll select the artist for the next edition, Noel responded, “I am always keeping my eye open for art that resonates or a story of an artist that touches my heart. We encourage other equine artists to submit their art for consideration.”

To learn more about Shannon Lawlor, check out her website or follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. She’ll also be attending the Hampton Classic, coming up between August 28th – September 4th. Be sure to stop on by, view her artwork, and say hello.

To order a limited edition Noel Asmar Shannon Lawlor t-shirt, visit Asmar’s website or a designated retailer near you.