Best. Trade. Show. Ever.
While spending some time today at Plantation Field International CIC (otherwise known as the Best. Event. Ever.), I found myself drawn to their trade fair like a moth to the flame. It could be my slight shopping addiction. Or it could just be the total awesomeness of the sights (and tastes) around the trade fair.
The entrance to the trade fair itself was an inviting picture of autumn–with a great shopping experience laying just beyond! The shopping experience offered is definitely one that both equestrians and non-equestrians can enjoy, boasting over 50 vendors for both shopping and eating. After starting my trek through the PFHT Vendor Village I went from one booth to the next, finding some pretty cool things along the way…walk with me, por favor!
So many tweeds, so little time. My personal favorites are the Bracken Tweed Utility Jacket (left), and the Hawthorn Double Breasted Tweed Coat (right).
But of course I was drawn to the Dubarry booth, because I always love to visit all of the gorgeous boots lined up. There is always the danger of making that unintentional impulse purchase, but I was willing to risk it. Once at the stand, I found that I was able to see some of Dubarry’s Fall and Winter outerwear line. The tweeds were absolutely stunning. I found that some of my favorite pieces included the women’s Hawthorn Double Breasted Tweed Coat (in a NEW tweed color), as well as the Bracken Tweed Utility Jacket (which is available in a number of color options).
C4 Belts just about make me go into a color frenzy. ‘Tis a dangerous thing for me when I can’t make up my mind. Good thing all of the colors look fab…and I’ve got my eye on the limited edition Leopard with the gold colored buckle!
Another stop that I made was at the C4 Belts display. After my recent experience with C4 Belts, I’ve found myself kindof well…with a new shopping addiction. So of course I had to stop by and see all of the different belt and buckle color combinations. There were some pretty cool limited edition belts on display. After the Americana design (which is, of course, my favorite of the limited editions), I found myself lusting after the Leopard print belt, with a golden colored buckle.
Even though I walked away having purchased two belts (and one was a gift!), I think I might just have to place an order for the Leopard. And…I’ve heard chatter that you may be able to glimpse some C4 limited edition belts being sported at the PRO Bareback competition on Sunday…
How ’bout that display of Mattes Correction Half Pads…can you spot the Gold Collection?
At the World Equestrian Brands booth, I found an entire display of Mattes Correction half pads. And what’s so exciting about a whole display of half pads you might ask…well, I’ll tell you. Within the display, I found some of the recent Mattes Gold Collection Correction Half Pads.
The Gold Collection pads have the same design and high quality of materials that can be found in the Platinum Collection pads, with the main difference being that they are made using wool instead of full sheepskin panels. The wool is dense and soft, yet the front and rear trim is still sheepskin, so that it can be ordered in all of the colors available in the Couture Collection.
A custom, self-adhesive poster of a favorite photo from Sarro Signs…yes, please!
And I also made a stop at Sarro Signs, who is a local business located here in good ‘ole Chester County, PA. Not only can they create customized signs for your farm or business…but they also offer trailer lettering, as well as some other cool things as well.
They conveniently offer their trailer lettering services to riders who have their trailers onsite for competition. Something cool that I found there was their customized poster, with an adhesive backing. The posters are for use indoors only, and you can have your favorite photo turned into a poster that can be hung inside your trailer dressing room, or even your tack room.
I was pretty smitten with this shade of electric blue on one of Ariat’s new outerwear pieces, found at the Bit of Britain booth.
While at the Bit of Britain booth, I found quite the display of Ariat outerwear. There were SO MANY jackets to look at, with a number of different styles to pick from. I appreciated the small details that many of the jackets included–such as zipper pulls that were shaped like stirrups. The Ariat Voltaire Jacket that I found was one of my favorite colors – a nice royal blue…definitely eye catching!
Socks…made from alpaca wool?!?! Pretty cool…or warm, actually!
Another cool thing that I came across…alpaca clothing and outwear. Yes, you heard me right, apparel items made out of alpaca wool – which after feeling, I would say is much less itchy than traditional wool. There were actually two booths selling alpaca products–Stone Spring Suri Farm & Grist Mill Farm Alpacas. I found lovely scarves, socks, gloves, and even items of clothing. The socks felt super soft, and were available in a number of nice patterns.
A super cute, equestrian inspired bit necklace I came across at Lorena Jewelry.
I also found a neat booth with a display of equestrian inspired jewelry–Lorena Jewelry featured custom equestrian designs. I found a lovely horse bit necklace, as well as an elegant looking pearl necklace with a horse and rider pendant. So many cute finds!
I found a little bit of everything over at the Omega Alpha Equine stand…
When I wandered up to the Omega Alpha Equine display, located at Top Rail Tack, I found a display of a number of their different all-natural products. Whether looking for a tube of Enduraforce, Chill Ultra or Equisel-BCAA paste, or for a bottle of Respi-Free or Sinew-X, they had you covered!
Best. Water. Ice. Ever. Period.
And no walk through the trade fair would be complete without stopping for a treat. While there were many to be found, I stopped at Dino’s Water Ice & Ice Cream. After tagging along with fellow EN blogger, Maggie Deatrick, to walk the CIC** cross country course, having an Italian ice was the perfect way to cool down on a warm day! There were plenty of flavors to choose from, but I chose a combination of Cherry & Blue Raspberry. One word: Perfection! Best. Trade. Fair. Ever.
