Summer of 2025 saw me, Vicky, fill the van with some lovely tables, lots of grey branded banners and boards and of course examples of our designs. I had so much fun meeting old customers, friends, new faces and Brand Ambassadors across the South West of the UK. The feedback I received on the quality and style of my horse hair jewellery designs was lovely, its great to see peoples reactions in person, rather than via email and socials.
We started in Exeter, at Bicton International Horse Trails in May. This was a fun event with a family day out feel bringing in the crowds. It was a great start for the summer for me to iron out the stand set up. I had some lovely orders placed that weekend and the start of some great relationships with riders and other traders. Plus I could visit a local archery club whilst I was there and got myself a new PB in practice (archery is my other passion outside of horses)
Next was Hartpury College for the Hartpury Festival of Dressage at the beginning of July. A firm favourite of mine being a dressage diva myself, also this was the first event I ever attended as Diva Tails back in 2018. It was great spending hours watching some of the best in the UK (an beyond) dancing. I also got to support riders like Francesca Crawley and Imogen Swann who are BAs for Diva Tails. I caught up with so many friends here it was literally a home from home for the week.
I returned to Hartpury at the beginning of August for the NAF 5* International Hartpury Horse Trails. Again this was great chance to watch the best of the best perform. We were right next to the international outdoor arenas so had the best view for all dressage and show jumping. We caught up with Madison Tapner and Alex Powell who both put in excellent shifts across the week to bring home results. I had to leave the show to compete in the British Target Champs (archery) over the weekend so I left the stall in the capable hands of my good friend Rachel. She's a keen eventer so a bus mans holiday for her and her lovely pooches who came a long too.
At the end of August we went to Wellington International Horse Trails for our last event of the summer. This was a brilliant show, it had a real country fair feel with the action right in front of the stalls. We met some great people and firmed up new friendships with people we have seen at all the other events. Trade stands are a lovely community of people and I have to say I am hooked on the eventing world, it so sociable and fun.
So I am already looking at next year for new events to attend. perhaps some show jumping events and eventing further a field. I loved showing off my unique designs and talking about my making process with people who walked in. Mostly I loved hearing about their horses and stories of past and present steeds.