AUGUST 21 2014
With summer comes great weather, Chicago city living, and of course, horse showing! This season was filled with exciting additions to our usual schedule. Aside from participating in more shows, I have had the pleasure of showing two of our horses in the USHJA international derbies! Granted Wish, owned by Helen Lindsay, and Small Enchantment, owned by Michelle Durpetti. These horses have been a pleasure to show in these exciting classes. With on par skills, we are so excited at the prospect of qualifying both for next year’s derby finals!
We had SUCH a blast celebrating our success at Spring Spectacular’s Derby Day!
Taking second in the International Derby at Equifest with Granted Wish!
As we move into the final months of summer, I can hardly contain my excitement as the Chicago Hunter Derby draws near. Presented annually by the Chicago Equestrians for a Cause, this amazing annual fundraiser hosts an absolutely gorgeous, three-day event, featuring a $5,000 National Derby and a $50,000 International Derby. In addition to the fundraiser, Saturday evening entails an exciting “Derby After Dark” party. The weekend finally comes to a close with a beautiful champagne brunch on Sunday. What’s not to love?
The Chicago Equestrians for a Cause team– (from left) Secretary Sterling Berry, Event Producer Michelle Durpetti, Marion Maybank, Founder & Vice President Lynn Jayne, Founder & President Caroline Weeden, Committee Chair Margaret Benjamin, Founder & Treasurer Rush Weeden
(photo courtesy of Aullmyn Photography + Design)
The charming champagne brunch is always so pretty!
(Photo courtesy of Marcin Cymmer Photography)
My friend, customer, and fellow Canterbury equestrian, Michelle (left), rocked an OS jacket at one of last year’s events. Next to me, in the center is Canterbury’s head trainer, Greg Franklin.
(Photo courtesy of Marcin Cymmer Photography)
The Mission of Chicago Equestrians for a Cause is to showcase high-level equestrian events with the express purpose of raising funds for selected charitable institutions in the Chicago area. It was an absolute thrill to show one of our younger horses in last year’s national derby. The 2013 Chicago Hunter Derby raised over $140,000 for three very worthwhile beneficiaries: Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, The University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation.
A bonus in participating in these particular derbies is the opportunity to dress my best, both in, and out of the ring. OS Apparel provides ideal comfort and chic style while competing and celebrating! The Chicago Hunter Derby certainly know how to celebrate in style! With vendors from all over, including the equestrian world, the shopping is fantastic, the food is always delicious, and the courses are both gorgeous and challenging! Overall, it is truly a weekend in the country to remember. Even the prize list is GORGEOUS!
The Flynn Jacket is designed to be a staple for any on-the-go equestrian looking for style. From a morning hack to running errands, and everything in between, this jacket is ideal for a fabulous charity equestrian event! Paired with jeans or even black capri pants, the champagne color is a perfect transition from summer to fall. Detailed with antique brass buttons and zipper, The Flynn Jacket also brings a bit of bling to the look. Pairing this chic jacket with a fabulous hat makes me instantly derby ready and completely on trend. (I LOVE pairing this look with my Truffaux herringbone hat – the elegant coffee and cream herringbone weave perfectly complements the Flynn Jacket!)
When it comes to showtime, the Quinn Show Shirt is ideal for underneath my shad belly. This ever-classic white shirt is a modern twist designed with style in mind. This crisp show shirt is handcrafted with Italian stretch cotton for ease of movement. The princess seams are great for a slim and flattering fit, and the attached collar has snap closure, contrast front placket, inside collar and cuffs. The best feature of the Quinn Show Shirt is the breathable nature of this cotton and the convenience of being machine washable! Style, comfort and ease all in one!
I love the complete look of this shirt with my custom Tucci boots and Samshield helmet. When I feel confident about the way I look, I feel like I can accomplish anything. My friend and Canterbury Farm customer, Michelle, always says, “When you look good, you feel good, and you do well”, And I happen to agree! I spend so much time in show clothes that having both form and style is imperative to my comfort and performance, and OS apparel makes that so easy to achieve.
In the up-and-coming 2014 Chicago Hunter Derby, I will have two horses competing in the National Derby and two in the International Derby as well! It’s such a pleasure to take on these challenging horses and know the proceeds are going to causes near and dear to my heart. Tickets are still available for the event, click HERE for more info on how to purchase, and come celebrate with us, hope to see you there!
– Caitlyn Shiels
View the original article on the O’Shaughnessey website here.