I found myself in the baby isle of Target the other day talking a mom to be out of buying a nappy/diaper bag! I know it really wasn’t my business and I really have no idea why I even opened my mouth, except I feel that you pay WAY too much on an ugly nappy/diaper bag, when all a nappy/diaper bag is, is a bag with pockets and different compartments!
Well equestrian mothers to be- Take my advice:
Buy are super beautiful bag that will last way past nappy/diaper years!
Really what you need is a great bag that has a few compartments and in addition to that- a clutch purse or cross body bag for your own items and an envelope bag or two for baby goods and other things.
If you’re going to spend money on a diaper bag- you might as well get something that fits your style(cause face it, mid price nappy/diaper bags are UGLY and pretty ones are super $$$). Find something that will grow with your needs from infant to toddler and beyond!
Large equestrian bags the suit these needs: Check out Oughton Limited, Baker Blankets, Rebecca Ray Designs, Sheplers and Etsy.
Consider a Clutch bag or a cross body bag that fits your basic needs of -Wallet, Cell phone, some other little items that you can remove quickly if needed is a great idea. Or get a cross body bag.
Consider also packing a small cosmetic type bag that has quick fixes: Eyes, Lips, Scents, hair! I really enjoy sweet scents from Lush. Their body powder is a great quick option for deodorant on the go, etc…
Rhianydd’s sense of style and fashion has always caught my eye, so I was super excited to be able to interview her recently!
Rhianydd on foal watch last week!
Describe the style and culture of your discipline, what’s the core of it?
It’s interesting how varied the style culture is across different disciplines. For example, polocrosse has a very Southern Hemisphere style. It has a relaxed vibe: white jeans and cowboy boots, rope reins, big spurs. I’ve found eventing, however, less rustic and a lot more polished and pristine: Hairnets, immaculate plaits, oiled hooves and spotless white saddle pads. It’s interesting how, even though the sports have progressed massively, the style culture surrounding them is very true to their roots; polocrosse which was developed in the Australian outback and Eventing which originated from the military cavalry.
Simple, comfortable and classic. In terms of riding, my daily uniform consists of grey johdpurs with a checked shirt, but I love smartening up myself and my horse for an event. Out of the saddle I’m a bit of a chameleon; I’m equally happy in a pair of jeans with one of my boyfriend’s sweaters and a statement necklace, as I am in a floor length ball gown. I love dressing to the occasion.
I think little beats a beautifully fit hunting jacket. A great source for finding a hunt coat is to go to : The Vintage Tack Room- They are an amazing resource. www.thevintagetackroom.com
What are your go to pieces? Colors you enjoy?
I showjump in tweed, and wear my jacket with a navy stock. I love the combo.
What are new things you’re currently obsessed with?(items, brands, etc..)
I am utterly addicted to Eurostar Clothing at the moment. Their johdpurs have a low hipster cut which fit beautifully and give a modern twist to a classic. They also make gorgeous lightweight jackets that are just perfect for riding in spring. I have one in turquoise which is featured in the photo and it looks amazing warming up at a competition with white johdpurs or at training with grey johdpurs.
In terms of helmets, I think One K are doing something really different at the moment while still maintaining a classic style. I love their defender helmets, particularly in the matte navy and black.
Dry shampoo!! It completely saves me from dealing with hat hair when I’m running from the yard to meet friends!
Travel- Best places horsey to travel?
I’ve been lucky to have some amazing horsey experiences while travelling. I once played polocrosse in Zimbabwe where we had to hold time during the game as a herd of elephants walked past the pitch!
One of my favourite travel memories was a horseback safari in the Chyulu Hills, Kenya. A wonderful company called Ride Kenya offers absolute luxury in the bush and I was lucky enough to go to help them work horses and assist the guests while travelling a couple of years ago. The wildlife offers such unexpected adventure. We would gallop with herds of zebra, and finish the day with a g&t in front of the fire. An absolutely unbeatable experience that I feel so privileged to have had.
I am hugely active on social media and love to keep my followers updated on my equestrian journey. Whether it be dishing the goss about the All Star Academy, my training experiences, competition results, mucking out thoughts or cute pictures of my newborn foal, it’s all on there! You can follow me on facebook on www.facebook.com/RLJEventing, and instagram and twitter on @RLJEventing. The Blue Chip All Star Academy is a brand new television series which premieres on Sunday 12th June 9pm on Horse and Country TV. Horse & Country TV is available in the UK on Sky channel 253 and online via the H&C Play app
Now that you’ve gotten to know Rhianydd, one of the stars on the Blue Chip All Star Academy- a Horse and County TV Series that airs this Sunday, June 12th at 9pm UK Time- Be sure to follow her and watch! Its going to be really really epic!
The doors of the academy open at 9pm, Sunday 12th June, when our eight finalists compete to be crowned champion in the show that has been described as a mix between The Apprentice and Pony Club camp.
Filmed at Talland School of Equitation in Gloucestershire the show also features some of the leading names in the sport, including Pammy Hutton, Charlie Hutton, Olympic event rider Ludwig Svennerstal, top show producer Jayne Ross, event and dressage star Daisy Coakley and Olympic gold medallist Carl Hester.
- Meet one of the stylish Stars Rhianydd
of Rhi Lee Jones Eventing
Photo Credit: Jon Stroud
Tell me a little about yourself?
I grew up in South Wales and stayed there until I was 18 when I moved across the border to England, where I went to Birmingham to attend university. I thought it would be a great experience to go to a multi-cultural city after growing up in the countryside in Wales, but I was only there a couple of weeks when I missed my horses like mad, and needed an excuse to bring them to Birmingham with me. A flatmate and I started a student polo club which really took off and gave me an excuse to bring my four horses to university. Safe to say I did a lot more riding than studying! After university I helped manage a polo club for a season before moving to London for three years. Now I’m back in the Countryside in South Wales, this time with four different horses, including my first foal that was born at the beginning of June, and couldn’t be happier!
How did you get started riding?
I’ve been riding since I was 3 years old and had my first pony when I was 7. I was mad about showjumping for a number of years until I found polocrosse and absolutely fell in love with the adrenaline of the crazy sport! I played polocrosse for over 15 years and represented the UK at under 16, under 21 and under 25 level. Unfortunately 3 years ago I broke my hip which ended my polocrosse career and I nearly gave up riding all together until I found eventing. I was absolutely devastated at the time, but figured when nothing goes right… Go left! I’ve absolutely fallen in love with eventing and have got a whole new set of goals that I’m currently working my butt off to achieve. I love to retrain ex racehorses for the sport as I love their athleticism and forward thinking mentality. This takes a lot of time and patience but is so incredibly rewarding when everything starts coming together and the hard work pays off.
Tell me about this Blue Chip Academy Show you have filmed:
I couldn’t believe that I was selected to be a part of the Blue Chip All Star Acadamy. The show is like big brother meets Pony Club Camp for adults! Filmed as a reality show by Horse and Country TV, I was one of 8 finalists who competed to get sponsorship from Blue Chip Feed. As Blue Chip is arguably the best feed on the market we were all pretty keen to win the sponsorship! We also were spoilt rotten by other sponsors of the show, including Easibed Bedding and Point-Two Airjackets. To compete for the prize, we had numerous lessons with top trainers and took part in various tasks off the horse, too.
I was all set to bring my eventing mare to the All Star Academy, who I have owned for three years and retrained myself off the racetrack. Unfortunately, just as filming was due to start she got a foot abscess which meant I was unable to take her. I was determined not to miss out on the competition so took my new horse, Bob instead, who had only been off the racetrack for two weeks! The other competitors were on their best competition horses, so it was a very different experience for me, as my priority was keeping Bob calm and relaxed, and making it a positive experience for him in a very high-pressured environment. You’ll have to tune in to see how I got on!
Be sure to follow Rhianydd of RLJ Eventing on the Blue Clip All Star Academy and on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter!
I am hugely active on social media and love to keep my followers updated on my equestrian journey. Whether it be dishing the goss about the All Star Academy, my training experiences, competition results, mucking out thoughts or cute pictures of my newborn foal, it’s all on there! You can follow me on facebook on www.facebook.com/RLJEventing, and instagram and twitter on @RLJEventing. The Blue Chip All Star Academy is a brand new television series which premieres on Sunday 12th June 9pm on Horse and Country TV. Horse & Country TV is available in the UK on Sky channel 253 and online via the H&C Play app.
Rhianydd on foal watch last week! 
