I’ve been to many horse shows, so I guess I’ve seen it all:
The wins, the falls, the ups and downs – the fast runs and the crawl.
But through the years of steady change; the coming of each trend,
You have to sport a certain look to ever fit right in.
We seem to follow winners far across the fashion scene,
Quick to garb our horses and ourselves so we’ll be seen,
As riders firmly blending in among the winning lot,
Attired in garb to show the world you rode for what you’ve got.
Living out in cow horse land; you recognize some style
State to state and ranch to ranch – and spot them by a mile.
Real cowboys; the showmen; and the ones that “wanna be”
Are there for your inspection if you know just what you see.
The cutters seem to bring their world into the cattle crowd.
The reiners’ shirts are starched and pressed with wrinkles not allowed.
And always riders’ derrieres prove ads sure get a nod
With images of Jordan, Jason, Casey, Dany, Todd.
The boots, of course, will tell the tale, of what the cowboy rides
With pants that cover to the spurs, or tuck into the sides.
And if the tread is wide and thick, and leaves distinctive tracks
It is the latest footwear hidden underneath the slacks
Shotgun, batwing, chinks for chaps – those plus the mohair kind.
There’s sure good watching to be done, especially from behind
Although we often must admit – as a retreating shape appears
Chaps don’t flatter or enhance the bulk of some folks’ rears.
With cowboy outfit donned just right, there’s still a touch or two
For women, one big hunk of jewelry adds to that true blue.
Some stalwart men do also sport a scarf just for effect
And wear it tied distinctively – like a noose around the neck.
As if all this were not enough, you still can run amuck
By stacking a wrong hat atop – and spoiling the whole look
Wide rims, narrow, rancher, round, the crease says who you are
Your hat still crowns the rest of you – starched, wrinkled, loose – a star.