I’ve been enjoying the summer breezes that sweep across the hillsides of The Plains, Virginia in the early evenings during Twilight Polo at Great Meadows.  I’ve also been enjoying the classic polo looks that all the players sport.

These Frye boots make me think of sitting under the stars on a blanket enjoying a picnic and watching Twilight Polo with friends. They also make me think of pretty Fall skirts and ribbed tights. That’s a win-win.  Chukker!

images  via Matchbook Magazine tumblr and Saratoga Saddlery

In case you missed it (I’m hopeful you didn’t) this month’s Matchbook Magazine featured Michelle of Milly. And if you didn’t miss it then you would have caught part of the layout that featured a close-up of fabric from a Milly dress…and one of the dresses Lynn wore so well in her recent photo shoot.

Look familiar?

Sharing something with Matchbook Magazine and Milly all at once seems somehow like hacking across a field in the fading summer sunlight after a spot-on jump school. In other words: perfect!

image via Matchbook magazine and by Josh Walker for the USEA

It would be hard to beat this dress for a late summer cocktail party in the fading afternoon light. Wouldn’t it go perfectly with a margarita? The dress is Milly (which, incidentally takes the cover at my new favorite Matchbook Magazine) and is easy to get at Tully Rector in Middleburg. Just give them a call at (540) 687-5858. Pair the dress with a simple espadrille (since no doubt you’ll be transitioning from the field to the party). We loved the loose, summery curls that Lynn wears so well but it would look just as cute with a simple bun piled on the top of your head.  Many thanks to the ladies of Tully Rector for this Milly look!

photos by Josh Walker at the USEA

I first saw these prints on the always-hip blog Wit & Delight and fell promptly in love just after I laughed out loud.  I thought you might do the same.

Ok, so this one has nary a pony (or unicorn) in sight but, seriously, it’s hysterical.

There’s more to be had so don’t waste a moment.  Visit Aled Lewis’s site and indulge.

This photo shoot was a long time in coming.  I’d say a year, maybe more. So when Emily, Josh and I finally rolled up to Lynn Symansky’s Farm in Middleburg, VA, you could say we were prepared.

We shot the first look against the backdrop of a neighboring field.  We all loved Lynn in the pretty summer frock on the dirt bike.  All eventer all the way! As you can see from the angle of this photo Lynn’s dog is all eyes on her.

He’d clearly follow her through the mud and muck to stay with her….or across a pasture at dirt-bike pace! This is one of my favorite photos of the two.

In true eventer fashion Lynn pitched in with whatever needed to get done. When we decided to put both Fergus (‘No It Tissant’) and Donner in the shoot we needed their leather halters. They weren’t in the barn but Lynn made quick work of that with a trip on the dirt bike, and cut quite the picture too!

You’ll notice, of course, that Donner is nowhere to be seen in the shots with Lynn and Fergus.  The behind-the-scenes scoop is that Donner included some athletic acrobatics on account of his being 3-day fit. Fergus led the way after that.

In the interview in the USEA Magazine Lynn talks about growing up in the saddle. It made my day to get this gem of a photo from Lynn to share with everyone. Classic! I’m pretty sure that’s what they call “short stirrup”! Lynn’s riding the family horse ‘Stewball’ who had her own part in history in a few old Westerns. I vote for a movie night with Lynn and we can watch Stewball in her starring roles. Pass the popcorn please!

The shoot itself was fun from start to finish-in no small part thanks to Lynn’s outgoing attitude, easy laugh, and positive attitude.

And where the photos, in the end, are perfect moments captured handily by Josh Walker, you can see that there was much happening to bring it all together.  Below is our crew working on the last look.  You can see Lynn clearly. The rest of us, from left to right, are Shandra (hair), Emily, Josh, Lordes (makeup), me.

We wish you had been there! Hopefully the photos help bring you there a little more. We had such fun and hope you’re enjoying the photos and interview from the shoot.

There’s still so much to share from how to get Lynn’s looks to her own favorite style and design picks. Are you in then? Let’s have a look!

Doesn’t she look like she’s jogging her horse at a three-day event? And that horse is no slouch, by the way. He is fit and strong. Do you think they were three-day eventers? Well, one can but hope. I wouldn’t be upset if someone rocked a Fall 3-day event jog with this look. Fair Hill, anyone? Just saying.

photo via London College of Fashion/The Woolmark Company

By Courtney Young, Shannon Crocker, Billy Register, and Samantha Bergin

Who wore what at the Rolex jogs was on everyone’s mind yesterday despite the impending doom of the weather forecast. But as eventers are apt to do, the field of 45 riders persevered and jogged their horses through puddles and rain splatters and offered us a look at some of the best looks for Rolex 2011.  Here they are.

photo by USEA

Jessica Phoenix took a page out of Lauren Kieffer’s 2010 playbook (with opposite colors) and what a good idea that was. It looks like Palm Beach at 5 o’clock!  The only thing we would add would be a martini (with two olives).  And take note: Jessica shows us that simple succeeds -a basic, black shirt dress, black kitten heels, and accented with belt to draw attention to her waist.  Simple, right?  The bonus here as well is that she also coordinates with her horse.

photo by USEA

Will Coleman pretty much hit the nail on the head with his Classic New England prep. Tommy Hilfiger would be proud.  The navy sport coat with khakis is a look that never gets old but, still, he manages to add something personal with the cheerful splash of color in his tie.  The sun even came out for him!  Though, we say, for a preppy boy from the hills of Virginia he should be able to pull off a better sock. How about a Paul Smith striped number? Classic prep never fails.

photo by USEA

Dang, Boyd knocked it out of the park this year!  The prepster tie with the tattersall shirt is perfect without overwhelming and, topped with a fedora, we’re off to play cricket with a Gin in Tonic in hand. With a distinctive look and point-of-view Boyd takes some risks here…and reaps the rewards tenfold.  We’re not sure who dressed him (maybe his beautiful wife Silva?) but whoever it was, keep them on retainer!  Fashion note: The cardinal rule with sports jackets is never button the bottom button. A sport coat will never have three buttons unless you’re an NBA player (and while Boyd is tall, he’s not an NBA player)  And if you’re wearing s suit jacket, according to Nordstrom’s, follow the “Sometimes, Always, Never” rule.  That is to say, starting with the top button it’s “sometimes” buttoned, the second is “always” buttoned, and the third and bottom button is “never” buttoned.  One more thing: The flash noseband is removable, you should have done that. Kate Moss needs her belt back.  All that said, though, good on you, Boyd.

photo by USEA

Susan Beebee already looks adorable so when you add the cheeriest of expression on her face as well as on that of her horse you’ve got a real winner.  A classic trench looks great and is weather appropriate.  She was clever enough to stay away from Dubarrys at a jog and instead opted for a black boot but nods to the equestrian world with the quilting.  Her orange scarf greets the Spring and her black headband polish the look and stands out in her pretty, blond hair.  Her pearls complete her look.

photo by USEA

Hannah Sue-Burnett and St Barths.  Love it. She brings her personality to this look from the cute denim trench dress (that sets off her flashy chestnut) to the pretty brown flats.  Her jewelry further adds a personal touch and shows that she has gone the extra mile.   To top it off she has beat the field with the prettiest of hair – it’s like Kate Middleton walking down the Rolex jog lane,  just in time for the royal wedding.  Last year we ooohed over Lauren Kieffer.  This year it’s Hannah Sue Burnett. With both riders under the tutelage of David O’Connor we’re starting to wonder if he’s been giving then style pointers as well.  Is he going to be the Evening Team coach and style coach all rolled into one?

photo by USEA

Jill Walton brings a hip Westcoast/ Western sensibility to the Rolex jog lanes and we dig that.  Everything fits well and and comes off  as truly personal style.  She looks like herself and we love that. She could transition from the Rolex jog to a cocktail party without batting an eye.  Switch up the Ed Hardy belt for Hermes and you’re money.

Tiana Coudray pulls off personal style, comfort, elegance, and coordinates with her horse all in one fell swoop.  She lets her belted jacket stand out as the anchor piece and then keeps it simple with her slacks and shoes.  This prevents her clothes from wearing her and assures the focus will stay on that dashing horse of hers.  We might have gone with pearl earrings to go with the grey horse but it’s hard to be choosy, especially in the face of such obvious comaraderie and grace.  Plus, we heard she won the Dutton RZ Saddle from WISE EQUESTRIAN for Best-Presented horse and rider combination.  We can see why!

photo for USEA

If you’re not into slim skirts and pleats like we are then you might want to take notes on Kristi Nunnink’s look.  She’s well-coordinated with her horse and looks professional without being severe thanks to her well-fitting grey suit.  The pink scarf coordinates with her horse’s pink snip which is adorable.  It suits her (no pun intended) and we give that, and the look, two thumbs up.

photo by USEA

Hamish Cargill looks great whether he’s on Wall Street, Capitol Hill or at the Rolex jogs. He raises the bar with a well-tailored suit in a light grey which, along with his striped tie, keep everything Springy and light.  We’d like to run into him at the Rolex after party and then take him home to mom, that’s for sure. The horse’s brow band, though, is more cart horse than 4-Star event horse. Change that and it’s, well, perfection.

photo by USEA

Sinead Halpin is case in point that a black pencil skirt belted with a cute top works again and again.  That and she’s smokin’ hot. And appropriate for the Rolex jogs to boot.  Her look is tailored and fitted to her lovely figure and the petite, stacked heel is ladylike and, simultaneously, sprintable.  Her look accentuates all her assets without trying too hard.

photo by USEA

Buck Davidson proves the old adage: if it aint broke, don’t fix it.  The tailored gentleman right out of Wall Street may be a look we’ve seen before but it works, so why change it?  With the smart gray suit and dress shoes (good call) he communicates professionalism and that he means business.  The yellow tie adds a splash of welcome color in this Spring season and his red socks are his signature piece (see Do’s and Don’ts for the Rolex Jog Lane) Plus, he’s keeping it real with the colors of the family crest.  But wait, there’s more.  He shares his look with Titanium.  Without the messiness of flash and figure eight nosebands and by using a the basic jog chain and shank he keeps the lines clean and simple which further showcase his handsome horse.  Clean, polished, handsome, with personality. Well done and keep it up.

Good to luck to all the Rolex 2011 horses and riders. We’ll be rooting you on as you enter at A, sail through the Head of the Lake, and bring it all home in the Rolex Stadium on day three.  And thanks to photographers Josh Walker, Emily Daily, and Leslie Threlkeld at the USEA for the generous use of their photography. We are forever grateful for their generosity, not to mention their talent.  A final thanks to the writers who made the Best of Rolex Fashion 2011 possible: Shannon, Billy, and Samantha.  They are the most amazing team with incomparable wit.  Thanks, and have fun at Rolex 2011! Make sure to Read Peter Green’s 2011 Rolex Run Down for who’s running this year….and who might edge out the rest!

by Shannon Crocker and Courtney Young

image by Josh Walker from Rolex 2010

The jogs at 3-day events are a time to confirm your horse’s soundness and wellness before a strenuous trial of their (and your) athletic ability.  They’re also a time to showcase your style and personality.  Who would waste an opportunity like that?  The only catch is that it’s harder than it seems.  Trot your horse down a lane looking super fly, how hard can that be?  Not so fast.  Make sure to read these do’s and don’ts so that you’ll be on this year’s Best Dressed list.

Do: Wear pants that fit you well.  Better yet, take your pants to a tailor who knows their way around a seam and have them fit them to you.  For 40 bucks or so you’ll be wowing the crowd in a pair of basic black slacks.  Audrey Hepburn didn’t need anything more and neither do you.

image via Avenue51

Also, cash in on the current trend of high-waisted, wide-bottomed pants.  This line will balance proportions, mask imperfect areas (we have lots of those), and elongate the leg. Why would anyone wear anything else?

image via Emerson Made

Don’t: Wear white pants.  Well, at least be super careful.  We can say for sure that we wouldn’t be sprinting down a jog lane in white pants but if you’re careful, you could pull it off (Hawley Bennett did).  Be careful that they’re lined and fit impeccably.  Any imprefection in the fit here will multiply many times over given the color.  Remember, black is universally flattering. Please draw the subsequent (and opposite) conclcusion here about white.

Do: Wear accessories in your hair or a hat on your head.  Headbands, fascinators, and hats are all welcome in the jog lane.  (Refer to Kate Middleton, Kelly Pugh, and Will Faudree below). This is an excellent place to express yourself.

Don’t: Wear scrunchies.  Ever.  Or show bows. In the jog lane or on your horse. Please. We’re begging. And, while hats and fascinators are adorable, they’re not if they’re spooking your horse or blowing off your head thanks to a gusty wind. Cringe.

Do: Polish your shoes before you jog in them. Whether they’re your everyday paddock boots, loafers, or patent leather heels, make sure they’re tidy and clean.

Don’t: Wear clogs. In the barn, yes (maybe).  But not for the jogs at Rolex.  And, please, if you’re going to wear heels you better be able to sprint in them.  We’re not sure we could pull them off despite our love of them so we’d go with a ballet flat (try Tory Burch) or a low, stacked heel (like Stephanie’s in the top photo). Nothing is worse than a pretty picture in high heels and then awkward flailing when trying to keep up with a horse who’s ready to run a 4-star event.  If you can’t run in heels then stick with the flats.

image via Tory Burch

More Rolex 3-Day Event Equestrian Style:

Bring style options for rain and sun.  Wednesday might dawn bright and sunny and then switch her humor to rainy and chilly.  Be ready for that and beat everyone to the punch by bringing options. Though, careful, if it rains please don’t wear Dubarrys to the jog. These are appropriate for the barn aisle but not for the panel of veterinarians evaluating your horse or for the hordes of fans who have come over hill and dale to watch you.  Try Hunter Wellies if you must wear rain boots or suck it up and get your shoes wet.  It’s Rolex, go all out and channel that little kid who liked to jump in puddles.  Your horse does it, so give it a go you might be surprised.

Coordinate with your Horse.  Remember, while this is a moment to express yourself you are first and foremost showing off your best friend and partner. Everything you wear should enhance them and their appearance.

Do step out of the box with the choice of your horse’s bridle.  Last year at Rolex Buck Davidson jogged Titanium in a brown bridle, an unusual choice for a grey.  It made for a classic and vintage-inspired look that stood out from the crowd. You also might choose a brow band with personality here (the Germans excelled here at the World Equestrian Games). Though, be forearned, blingy rhinestones will not score well on the best-dressed list.

Wear something that you like and is flattering to your body.  While we can’t get enough ruffles and pleats those might make you want to double over and throw up.  That’s cool. Know what you like and, most importantly, what looks good on you.  When you walk up to the jog lane you should feel like you can take over the world – the way your horse feels when you two step into the start box. Wear what brings that out in you and the two of you will be unstoppable.

Choose something that can become your iconic style.  When we say Stetson you think Will Faudree.  When we say gorgeous, swinging blond hair you think Allison Springer. Bow ties (try Billy Reid), pocket squares, headbands, and stunning heels can all become your own signature items. We like that.

image via Billy Reid

It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.  This is always true in life as well as in the jog lanes.  Why not go more formal and really stand out?

If you’re still lost in a labrynth of choices look back at the Rolex 2010 Best Dressed for some style inspiration. There’s nothing wrong with taking one of those looks and recreating it.  We’re forever going back to Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn for inspriation.  Lean on Laine Ashker and Lauren Kieffer who led the pack last year.

Dear Hermes,

Thank you for bringing together horses and fashion for us.  It’s like you captured the spirit of our horses galloping across a field on those misty cross-country mornings with their hearts, and ours, pounding – then laid it across our shoulders so we could take it with us everywhere.

Wear scarves like these around your neck or, if you can pull it off (I aspire to), on your head which would be so very Audrey Hepburn. With Spring being so moody and quick to grey and misty this would be the perfect time. Anyway, there’s no time like the present, right?

See more vintage Hermes scarves on Miss Moss.  Which one is your favorite?

I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw these embroidered books by Jillian Tamaki for Penguin Books on Black Eiffel.  Naturally ‘Black Beauty’ was my favorite.  Aren’t they exquisite?  The craft of the whole process has me swooning and the way she’s able to capture such power and movement has me doing twirls.

Here’s Miss Tamaki hard at work. I wish I could bring her a cup of tea and hover over her shoulder to watch. I would bring her Harney & Sons “Paris” because it’s my favorite.

I know this one doesn’t have anything to do with horses but I love ‘Emma’. Don’t you? Anyway, Janue Austen is full of horses and carriages not to mention incredible clothes.

I love it when horses and art intersect.  It just makes my day.  I hope it makes yours too.

p.s. I’ve missed you.