The relationship between man and horse is one that dates back thousands of years, 800 BC to be exact. Near the beginning of the Iron Age people in Central Asia began to ride horses instead of just having them pull wagons. It is a relationship that has assisted humans in achieving victory in realms of conquest and cultivation, speed and security, and it is with this that it should come as no surprise that the natural progression of horse-riding would lead to Equestrianism, which is defined as “the skill or sport of horse riding. As an Olympic sport it is divided into three disciplines: show jumping, dressage, and the three-day event (combining show jumping, dressage, and cross-country riding).”
With any sport there is a uniform, and professional horse competitions are no different. They enter the field with breeches, chaps, show coats and helmets upon their trusted steed and proceed to compete in an event that further confirms a bond between man and beast. It is only heightened when they stun the crowd by jumping over what can be described as gates (several times), in what one could say is a pre-determined track, however said track is only shown to the riders minutes prior to the competition. The jumps aren’t as simple as they appear though. Isabelle Larabee, a student of Longines FEI World Cup winner Devin Ryan, explained to me that “There can be different kinds of jumps. There are three basic ones: what we are seeing is an Oxar which is essentially two jumps pushed together. There is also a triple bar which is roughly three jumps pushed together. Furthermore there is a vertical which is just the single set of standards and poles.”
For Baseball there is the MLB, for professional Soccer there is FIFA, and for Equestrian competitors, there is the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI). Without stopping for breath, FEI has continued to be the premiere league for all competitions horse related. Ranging from reigning to jumping.
One thing is consistently different though, and that is the fashion. Equestrian style is as easily represented on the field as it is off, and through the reigns of Hermès, off the saddle of Ralph Lauren and the gates of Ariat, one can find themselves a plethora of options to dress for the occasion. To be a standout spectator one may wish to consider not only dressing in appropriate equestrian attire but rather in an exceptional equine garment. For the fashion savvy, the beauty of attending a horse-jumping event is style both on and off the field. Thankfully, luxury brands are taking us away from the stodgy fashion of yester-year and galloping us towards a modern and sophisticated look. Racy and redesigned polos with discus-level stretch, various other sporting garments featuring anti-bacterial fibers, lightweight footwear as well as state of the art tailored jackets. Incidentally, and here’s some food for thought, the only time you button the bottom button of a sports jacket is within the context of an equestrian competition. As of late, and on a global level, horse competitions have become more and more popular. As a result of the popularity of the sport, equestrian fashion has flourished. Naturally, the competitions take place in a handful of the most exclusive parts of the world including Pairs, Palm Beach and the Hamptons.
The Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping is the world’s premiere individual Jumping series. Now in its 40th season, the most precise and strongest human and equine athletes from 16 leagues in 43 countries around the world will compete to qualify for the prestigious Final to be held in Paris in April 2018. Last season, McLain Ward, an American, took the overall title with his horse HH Azur and a well-defined display of keen horsemanship and impeccable style! A total of 14 athletes from the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League qualify for the prestigious Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final, which will be held in Paris (FRA) in 2018. Launched in 2015, the North American League boasts a minimum of US $2.4 million prize money across the series, and offers the best Jumping athletes from North America and around the world the chance to qualify for the jackpot of more than US $1.4 million (€1.3 million) on offer annually at the Final!
We had the opportunity to interview FEI World Cup champion Daniel Coyle about his recent victory in Wellington, Florida, the relationship between man and horse and his stylish advice for up and coming equestrians:
Joseph DeAcetis: A lot of our readers at Forbes are not necessarily familiar with the equestrian lifestyle and the bond between a rider and their horse. I have to ask: What steps are taken for someone in your position to create this unspoken bond with your horse?
Daniel Coyle: It is obviously a real animal and it has a mind of its own and I think that to get that mind to work along with you it is really important, and that is how you win. That is how it is done. The horse understands what it must do, and it wants to do it for you. It takes a long time to work with two mains instead of one, and it is not the easiest sport in the world, but it is definitely the most rewarding one.
Joseph DeAcetis: What is the thought process that you go through when you walk the course? I ask because I know you do not see it prior to the day of the event as it is setup without anyone else then the officials knowing.
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The relationship between man and horse is one that dates back thousands of years, 800 BC to be exact. Near the beginning of the Iron Age people in Central Asia began to ride horses instead of just having them pull wagons. It is a relationship that has assisted humans in achieving victory in realms of conquest and cultivation, speed and security, and it is with this that it should come as no surprise that the natural progression of horse-riding would lead to Equestrianism, which is defined as “the skill or sport of horse riding. As an Olympic sport it is divided into three disciplines: show jumping, dressage, and the three-day event (combining show jumping, dressage, and cross-country riding).”
With any sport there is a uniform, and professional horse competitions are no different. They enter the field with breeches, chaps, show coats and helmets upon their trusted steed and proceed to compete in an event that further confirms a bond between man and beast. It is only heightened when they stun the crowd by jumping over what can be described as gates (several times), in what one could say is a pre-determined track, however said track is only shown to the riders minutes prior to the competition. The jumps aren’t as simple as they appear though. Isabelle Larabee, a student of Longines FEI World Cup winner Devin Ryan, explained to me that “There can be different kinds of jumps. There are three basic ones: what we are seeing is an Oxar which is essentially two jumps pushed together. There is also a triple bar which is roughly three jumps pushed together. Furthermore there is a vertical which is just the single set of standards and poles.”
For Baseball there is the MLB, for professional Soccer there is FIFA, and for Equestrian competitors, there is the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI). Without stopping for breath, FEI has continued to be the premiere league for all competitions horse related. Ranging from reigning to jumping.
One thing is consistently different though, and that is the fashion. Equestrian style is as easily represented on the field as it is off, and through the reigns of Hermès, off the saddle of Ralph Lauren and the gates of Ariat, one can find themselves a plethora of options to dress for the occasion. To be a standout spectator one may wish to consider not only dressing in appropriate equestrian attire but rather in an exceptional equine garment. For the fashion savvy, the beauty of attending a horse-jumping event is style both on and off the field. Thankfully, luxury brands are taking us away from the stodgy fashion of yester-year and galloping us towards a modern and sophisticated look. Racy and redesigned polos with discus-level stretch, various other sporting garments featuring anti-bacterial fibers, lightweight footwear as well as state of the art tailored jackets. Incidentally, and here’s some food for thought, the only time you button the bottom button of a sports jacket is within the context of an equestrian competition. As of late, and on a global level, horse competitions have become more and more popular. As a result of the popularity of the sport, equestrian fashion has flourished. Naturally, the competitions take place in a handful of the most exclusive parts of the world including Pairs, Palm Beach and the Hamptons.
The Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping is the world’s premiere individual Jumping series. Now in its 40th season, the most precise and strongest human and equine athletes from 16 leagues in 43 countries around the world will compete to qualify for the prestigious Final to be held in Paris in April 2018. Last season, McLain Ward, an American, took the overall title with his horse HH Azur and a well-defined display of keen horsemanship and impeccable style! A total of 14 athletes from the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League qualify for the prestigious Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final, which will be held in Paris (FRA) in 2018. Launched in 2015, the North American League boasts a minimum of US $2.4 million prize money across the series, and offers the best Jumping athletes from North America and around the world the chance to qualify for the jackpot of more than US $1.4 million (€1.3 million) on offer annually at the Final!
We had the opportunity to interview FEI World Cup champion Daniel Coyle about his recent victory in Wellington, Florida, the relationship between man and horse and his stylish advice for up and coming equestrians:
Joseph DeAcetis: A lot of our readers at Forbes are not necessarily familiar with the equestrian lifestyle and the bond between a rider and their horse. I have to ask: What steps are taken for someone in your position to create this unspoken bond with your horse?
Daniel Coyle: It is obviously a real animal and it has a mind of its own and I think that to get that mind to work along with you it is really important, and that is how you win. That is how it is done. The horse understands what it must do, and it wants to do it for you. It takes a long time to work with two mains instead of one, and it is not the easiest sport in the world, but it is definitely the most rewarding one.
Joseph DeAcetis: What is the thought process that you go through when you walk the course? I ask because I know you do not see it prior to the day of the event as it is setup without anyone else then the officials knowing.
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