Autumn is in the air and even though we know some of our followers are rueing the fact that summer never really arrived, we can’t help but look forward to the new season. Pumpkin spice coffee, cosy evenings in, crisp leaves underfoot and (hopefully!) a warm Indian summer for days out. If you lean into the autumn and love the chance to get your favourite sweaters, long-sleeved dresses, jeans and boots out (we’ll ignore the fact they may not have ever been packed away since spring…) here’s our guide to unmissable autumn events and style ideas to turn heads when you’re there!
The Defender Burghley Horse Trials
Thursday the 31st of August to Sunday the 3rd of September
Following on from a superb European Eventing Championships earlier this month, we can’t wait to see all our favourite riders in action at Burghley! The rolling countryside of Stamford, Lincolnshire is the location for this five-star international eventing competition which also hosts the Land Rover Experience, perfect if you fancy test driving the Defender, and an enviable shopping village. We have everything crossed that we’ll get some late summer sunshine for Burghley and think that one of our lightweight Henley Fedoras is the perfect choice to keep you cool and stop the sun getting in your eyes when you’re watching the action!
The GWCT Welsh Game Fair
Saturday the 9th and Sunday the 10th of September
The very first GWCT Welsh Game Fair took place last September and did an excellent job of highlighting the amazing people and pursuits that make our home country of Wales such an amazing place to be. This year, with shooting in Wales under more peril than ever before, this event is a must visit for locals and passionate field sports enthusiasts alike. It takes place at the Vaynol Estate near Snowdonia and features everything from clay shooting and fly casting to gun dogs, country fashion and local food! Any Game Fair is an excellent chance to strut your stuff in your finest country clobber, so why not don one of our felt fedora hats paired with a smart game bird feather pin?
Newbury Show
Saturday the 16th and Sunday the 17th of September
If a good agricultural show is right up your street, then you won’t want to miss the Newbury Show. It used to be called the Royal County of Berkshire Show and last took place in 2019 - yes, before Covid disrupted our lives, and this year returns to Newbury Showground, near the M4 and A34 junction in Chieveley. There’s set to be agricultural and equestrian showing, show jumping tractors and machinery, shopping, food and much more. In the middle of September, the weather can go either way, so we advise packing the car with a waterproof coat, warm jumper, wellies and short boots and perhaps a showerproof fedora with a contrasting ribbon band?
Blenheim International Horse Trials
Thursday the 14th to Sunday 17th September
The beautiful grounds of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire are the setting for four days of eventing action, so if between the Euros and Burghley you still can’t get enough of equestrian sport, here’s where to head. There will be both grassroots and FEI international eventing taking place alongside RoR dressage and the eventer challenge, as well as shopping and plenty of excellent food and drink. The same fashion advice applies here as it does for the Newbury Show - bring SPF, sunglasses, a cool summer fedora as some areas on the bowl-shaped course can really become sun traps, but don’t forget rainwear just in case….
Cheltenham Races - the Showcase
Friday 27th and Saturday 28th of October
The Showcase meeting raises the curtain for the 2023-24 season of high-class jump racing at this iconic track and we can’t wait! This meeting is also a first chance for many country folk to don their colder weather fashion for the first time in months, so you can expect tweed coats with fur trims, warm cashmere layers and wool fedoras to be popular choices. If you love turning heads with your fashion choices, especially during a day at the races, why not take a closer look at our new bright orange or stunning fuchsia pink fedoras? They would be the perfect choice twinned with a tweed that has a vibrant yellow, orange or pink shot through it, or a bright finishing touch to top off a smart solid colour winter coat!
