AADA Featured Rider

“Shirley Gencarelli”

I am smitten with horses. As a little girl my favorite thing was to sketch horses on my books until teachers scolded me. I went on pony rides, wanted horsey everything, and still my parents didn’t buy me a horse! Fast forward 30 years and I finally made my horsey dream come true! I went to a beautiful bed and breakfast horse ranch in Georgia and that is where I fell in love with my Black Beauty, Satin. She had just turned 4 then and well, I was still a green rider. You know what they say “green and green equal black and blue”.  She came home to New Jersey and that is where our journey began. Learning, falling, crying and laughing. The bond with a horse is unbelievable. Sometimes I think they know you better than you know yourself. 

A couple of years later I started a business based on the love I have for fashion and horses, The Fabulous Horse Boutique. I had worked in retail but I also did modeling & acting here and there and attended fashion events. In addition to sketching horses I also sketched and designed fashion for fun.  I saw how much equestrians enjoyed matching their horses and colors and clothes so I decided to go for it!   For a boutique I needed a perfect blend of contemporary clothes for inside and outside the show ring. I represent a diversity of products with comfort and luxury in mind. European & US designers are what I specialize in. I am personally familiar with the fit and material of every item I sell, this way I can be a personal equestrian stylist. Being an avid rider myself, I make sure the clothing is not only fashion forward but durable and breathable as well

In addition I set up fashion shoots and presented a Fabulous Horse fashion show last Spring. I am on the lookout for my next fashion event.

I have been traveling to dressage shows and cross country events with my booth where I get to know my customers very well. And, my clothes are available online at www.TheFabulousHorse.com. I have so much fun outfitting my customers in the newest fashion trends. I also enjoy watching the dressage and eventing shows from my booth. Eventually it made me want to do more than trail riding so I finally did my first dressage show last year! What an exciting moment it was for Satin and I! Plus I designed my own outfit!  

I am so excited to be able to combine the loves of my life, horses and fashion.  Little did I know I would stumble upon this awesome equestrian world with fellow horse lovers. What a ride it has been and I am looking forward to meeting more fellow riders at my booth at shows and outfitting everyone to look their best!