Alden Customs

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“Pink isn’t just a color, it’s an attitude!” — Miley Cyrus

There’s some drama brewing over on HorseTok... 👀

If you missed it, a hunter/jumper rider recently shared that a judge pulled her aside after a class to mention a few details of her attire were “standing out for the wrong reasons.” The conversation quickly exploded online.

As both a licensed judge and an equestrian clothier, I found the discussion fascinating because the bigger question isn’t about one discipline...

When does guidance become criticism?

It immediately reminded me of our client, Kamille. She and her mom, Katrina, came to us from the jumper world—not as inexperienced horsewomen, but as riders learning a new discipline.

As we designed her day suit, we had conversations that might seem insignificant to someone outside our sport.

Could we have paired her bold silk brocade with a bold contrasting lining? Absolutely.

Did I recommend it?

No.

Not because it wasn’t beautiful, but because day coats are pinned back while mounted. A bold lining can distract from the overall picture or quietly signal a rider is new to the discipline.

The same was true with fit. Saddleseat tailoring prioritizes silhouette differently than technical stretch apparel, so we involved her trainer to find the right balance for both horse and rider.

To me, that’s what integrity looks like.

One of the biggest lessons from judges’ school was that judges are ambassadors for our breed. I’ve always believed clothiers should be ambassadors too.

That means it isn’t our job to gatekeep—or simply say “yes” to make a sale. It’s our job to explain the why, share the traditions, and help riders make informed decisions.

That’s why I created my guide for new show riders years ago.

Not because there’s one “right” shirt or one “right” trend, but because every industry has unwritten rules, and no one should feel embarrassed for simply not knowing them.

I’d much rather be remembered as the horse show big sister than another voice adding to the outrage.

Because the strongest horse communities aren’t built by gatekeepers.

They’re built by people willing to hold the gate open for the next rider. 🤍