Eric Gaskins Vol 23: Hampton Classic
At the end of every summer the giant 18-wheeler horse vans from as far away as Colorado rumble into the seaside village of Bridgehampton, New York. This is the yearly ritual known as the Hampton Classic Horse show. All year young and adult riders compete and prepare for entry into the east coast’s most prestigious horse show. From perfect ponies to the most athletic horses a spectator can watch the cream of Hunter/Jumper competition.
There is an innate elegance that permeates the sport. Horse and rider are turned out in the gear that evokes images of a time untouched by trends, fads or changing fashion dictates. The template for what is considered appropriate wear has had little variation over the last fifty years or more. Riders are outfitted in crisp cotton shirts with a band collar for women and a necktie for men and all wear tailored jackets in navy, black or brown with the possibility of the faintest pinstripe in the fabric. Breeches, which at one time were cut with rounded hips, are now mostly sleek, 4-way stretch cotton/lycra blends for a slim defined leg. Helmets are in black, navy olive or chocolate velvet and gloves are in cotton mesh with leather palms or all leather. Boots are tall slim legged affairs the end just below the knee in front rising higher on the sides in chocolate or black. The only variation there is whether or not they are classic pull-on boots or Field boots that lace at the vamp. This uniformity of style is oddly pleasing, as it doesn’t draw attention away from the beauty of the horse and his athleticism. The desired effect is a picture of horse and rider working together as one. Make-up is discouraged on women so there is little more than fresh scrubbed, sun kissed faces with simple, unfussy-over hair. The most attractive riders are the ones who are obviously in good physical condition, meaning athletically built whether thin or more shapely. This applies to men and women alike.
The real contestants for beauty are the horses. This is the area of variation that swings from lean, mean Thoroughbreds to the muscle bound Warmblood horses bred and imported from Germany, France and Holland. Watching these animals in the warm-up area is magnificent. From beautiful shades of brown, black and white to incredible mixes of steel to silver grey and copper, the horses are mesmerizing. Their grace on the ground is matched and surpassed only by their beauty in flight as they navigate a course of truly daunting obstacles – some, that reach heights of six feet. Judges mark them on their fluidity, jumping ability and timing. Putting all the pieces together are the steely-nerved riders. Mastering the strength and minds of a 1200-pound dynamo is no easy task. Making it all look effortless is the desired result.
Left: Eric on his Irish Thoroughbred gelding Bailiwick. Right: Kelly on her Hanovarian stallion Louvre.
Equestrian sport is a mix of art, style, strength and athleticism. All of those aspects make for an aesthetic ideal very much like fashion. The sum of all the parts creates a vision of style. There’s no getting around it. You rarely see a horse and rider without the impression of an elegant picture. There’s rarely a moment when you think ”wrong length” or “vulgar neckline”. I wish people would dress with the same degree of balance. Great fit, flattering shapes, appealing colors and clean, natural skin and hair are the cornerstones of great style. It’s not the WHAT but the HOW that counts. Horses just go out and do their best; nothing more and nothing less. That’s all we need to do, as well. Life can be really very simple when you turn down the noise and listen to your soul. Happy Labor Day!
Eric Gaskins ….. The Emperors Old Clothes
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