When one visits Dickies Arena with an expectation to see horses trotting on its dirt-covered floor, one might assume denim, ostrich boots, and a beaver felt hat would be the dress of the day. While we’re sure you’ll still feel right at home with the above getup, the upcoming FEI World Cup lends itself to a different equestrian-influenced wardrobe.
Inspired by the refined look of English-style riding, stylist Jenni Davis curated these chic sets for a day of jumping, vaulting, and dressage.
What Is the FEI World Cup?
When it comes to equestrian sports, Fort Worth has a long tradition of hosting the best of the west. This month, the city’s range expands to include English-style events as the world’s top horses and riders come together on April 8-12 for the International Federation of Equestrian Sports (FEI) World Cup Finals at Dickies Arena and the Will Rogers Memorial Center.
“We’re proud to host one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian competitions in a city built on a western sports foundation,” says Drew Hays, executive director for the Fort Worth Sports Commission, which helped bring the competition to the city. “Fort Worth’s equestrian tradition dates back to 1896 with the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo and continued in 1936 when the city built the Will Rogers Memorial Center to host major horse events.” Welcoming the FEI World Cup to these event spaces, he says, “brings that history full circle.”
The event includes two competitions showcasing distinctive Olympic disciplines: the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final and the Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup Final. Among the world-class jumpers vying for the championship title are Olympian Kent Farrington, who won a silver medal with Team USA in 2016 and is currently ranked number two in the world, and six-time Olympian Steve Guerdat of Switzerland. The Dressage line-up is similarly star-studded, including Olympic medal-winner Becky Moody of Great Britain, who is ranked fourth in the world, and American Christian Simonson, a rising star in the sport and one of the youngest riders to win FEI senior team titles.
Credits:
Model: Liv Swardh, Kim Dawson Agency
Photography: Asia Eidson
Production and Styling: Jenny B. Davis, The SWB Agency
Hair & Makeup Artist: Lana Adams, Kim Dawson Agency
Assistant stylist: Katie Kiely