2025: Morgan Grand National & World Championship People’s Choice Best Dressed Hunt Riders

There’s something about Oklahoma City in October that feels electric. The way the horses glisten under the lights, the quiet hum before a victory pass, and the familiar faces that make the Morgan Grand National & World Championship feel like coming home. Every year, amid the roses and ribbons, there’s another kind of competition that celebrates the artistry of presentation: our Morgan Grand National & World Championship People’s Choice Best Dressed Hunt Riders.

This year was especially meaningful to me. Between juggling an injured heart horse at home and the whirlwind of show season, I didn’t give this competition the same marketing push as in past years. Yet in true #MorganHorseFamily fashion, y'all showed up anyway, voting and flooding my inbox with the kindest words about riders you admire. That’s what this contest is really about. Beyond the fabrics, colors, and top collars, it’s about community. It’s about celebrating one another, lifting each other up, and recognizing the grace and confidence that make this division so special beyond the final placings in the ring.

From a fashion standpoint, this year belonged to pastels. Soft mints, butter yellows, pale blues, and lilacs took over the ring, proving that light and airy can still make a major statement. From junior exhibitors to professionals, this year’s finalists showcased incredible polish, personality, and attention to detail. Every outfit told a story.

This year’s competition was once again open to all hunt seat riders at the Morgan Grand National & World Championship, regardless of age, division or maker, and voters turned out in force. The three highest-voted riders (and this year, a tied 3rd place so 4 riders) will receive Alden Customs gift certificates of $300, $150, and $75. Please DM us your mailling addresses! But truly, every rider nominated embodies the grace, poise, and polish that make this division shine.

So, without further ado — here are your Top Ten Best Dressed Hunt Riders of 2025, as chosen by you, the people.

Tied for 10th:

Madalyn Burkart & Air Force GCH

First up, Matalyn Burkart. Matalyn made history this year as our first-ever equitation rider to earn top honors in the People’s Choice Best Dressed lineup. Her look was timeless yet fearless: a bright blue with subtle periwinkle undertones, a matching microsuede top collar, crisp white piping, and a clean white shirt that highlighted Air Force GCH’s distinctive star-strip-snip.

Typically, equitation riders lean toward darker tones like navy, black, or hunter green. This powerhouse duo can handle a brighter shade that accentuates her nearly flawless equitation. One voter said, “I hope to be as strong an equitation rider as Matalyn someday,” while another declared, “She’s my equitation idol!” We’ll be cheering for her as she heads into the USSSA Saddle Seat World Cup trials this November. Go Mattie! ✨

Get This Look! These bold blue wool suitings are perfect for riders who want to stand out in equitation without straying too far from tradition—bright, confident, and perfectly polished.

Tied for 10th:

Nellie Gest & Wicked Cool

Nellie Gest is another equitation standout, but voters loved her pleasure look this year. Her satin-finish burgundy hunt coat featured a black microsuede top collar, white collar piping, and a crisp white shirt with a classic script monogram. Burgundy on a dark bay is always a winning combination, and her partner Wicked Cool lived up to the name. This outfit perfectly followed the rule of four’s and won the hearts of our voters. One admirer summed it up: “Nellie’s ride and outfit were clean and polished head to hoof!”

Get This Look! These maroon, burgundy, and cherry red fabrics strike the perfect balance of rich and refined, ideal for a rider who wants to channel timeless elegance with a pop of wow factor.

9th: Mary Carlton & Smooth Jazz

We’ve got a repeat winner and no stranger to the winner’s circle. Mary Carlton once again impressed voters with her effortless polish. We’re so honored to say this outfit was made by Alden Customs: a black and gunmetal gray silk brocade with a small geometric pattern, paired with a black microsuede top collar, matching gunmetal piping, and a white ratcatcher shirt trimmed with black piping and a modern monogram.

Mary is an icon in every sense of the word. She is the moment. And her young partner Smooth Jazz is destined for greatness. We can’t wait to see what we dream up together next.

Get This Look! These sleek gunmetal fabrics are all about quiet power and modern confidence—polished enough for the winner’s circle, bold enough for the fashion pages.

Tied for 8th: Hannah Harmon & Flinklocks Envy

In eighth place, two junior exhibitors proved they know how to balance tradition with trendsetting flair.

First, Hannah Harmon—a familiar face from last year’s top ten—continues to push boundaries with her bold fashion sense. Her pale butter-yellow and sand plaid coat, paired with high-contrast black accents, turned heads in every class.

One voter said, “Hannah’s outfits are always outside the box, and I love how she popped in the ring,” and another voter left these touching words of encouragement, "Hannah, I love how sweet you are, I am so proud of you, and everything you have accomplished. I love the connection you have with your horse, both of you are so talented". With her striking partner Flinklocks Envy and fearless fashion choices, she’s proving that individuality and class can go hand in hand. (And yes, we have to stan a rider who values head protection!)

Get This Look! These soft butter-yellow and sand plaid fabrics bring sunshine to the show ring, proving that light tones can still mean serious business in the saddle.

Tied for 8th: Elizabeth Doleski & Tara’s Masquerade

Next up, Elizabeth Doleski aboard Tara’s Masquerade. Another proud Alden Customs creation, this look features a salmon and cranberry glen plaid with deep cranberry piping, matching top collar, and belt piping. The result is age-appropriate, cohesive, and completely charming. One voter wrote "Lizzy looks extremely confident in OKC and this jacket completes the look!"

Fun fact: this very outfit was nominated last year with a different rider, which proves you all know a timeless design when you see one. Elizabeth’s fawn breeches, black boots, gloves, and white dickie (with matching jacket piping, of course) tied everything together for a picture-perfect finish.

Get This Look! These shades of pink are sweet yet sophisticated—perfect for riders who love a youthful twist on classic tailoring.

7th: Carley Freiheit & Troika's Boychek Boogie CH

Our youngest finalist of 2025, but don’t let her age fool you. Carley Freiheit has piloted some of the best horses in the nation, and her stylish silver paisley number was yet another knockout. Paired with a black dickie featuring silver piping along the collar and placket, and black piping throughout the jacket, as well as her black sparkly helmet, every detail was thoughtfully executed.

With her partner Troika's Boychek Boogie CH, who's no stranger to the winner's circle, she presented an image of poise and precision that wowed voters. Carley’s grit, polish, and determination make her one to watch for many seasons to come.

Get This Look! These silver silk paisley fabrics shimmer with every stride, perfect for any rider who wants to sparkle while keeping it classy.

6th: Annabelle Crotty & Valley Acres Who Dat

In sixth place, Annabelle Crotty showed us exactly how to merge modern fashion with equestrian tradition. Her deep olive-green snakeskin silk jacquard hunt coat looked straight off a NY runway. Complete with a black top collar, matching black piping, and a black under-button wrist accent, the look was perfectly balanced by a stark white shirt and traditional snaffle bit collar. Even her makeup—a subtle smokey eye with pops of green—carried the theme. One voter wrote, “Annabelle’s outfit was so cool and modern, yet somehow still traditional. It was a fashion piece, not just a boring hunt coat.” She ate and left no crumbs.

Get This Look! These reptilian-inspired fabrics are sure to turn heads on the runway—cough cough, I mean in the show ring—bold, fearless, and unapologetically chic.

5th: Olyvia O’Brien & Fire Run Dragonfly

Olyvia O’Brien, another Alden Customs client and total professional, stunned this year with her pale blue silk/wool blend hunt coat featuring a black houndstooth and faint windowpane plaid. Her black microsuede top collar, black buttons, and rolled blue piping made every detail pop. Her custom dickie, designed to match, featured a blue satin center patch with a black ribbon and a crisp white monogram.

Olyvia limited her entire look to four colors—two blues, black, and white—proving that intentional restraint can be every bit as eye-catching as bold contrast. Paired with Fire Run Dragonfly’s athletic presence, it was the definition of elevated professional polish.

Get This Look! These pale blue blends are cool, collected, and tailored for riders who love modern structure with touch of sheen.

4th: Audrey Morgan-Flynt & HPW Bringin’ the Bling

Another Alden Customs original and one of our favorite creations of the season. Audrey Morgan-Flynt and her beloved HPW Bringin’ The Bling were a picture of sophistication. Her silk brocade jacket shimmered in motion, woven in shades of baby blue, navy, and silver metallic thread. The black microsuede top collar and matching baby-blue piping tied the look together, echoed on her white cotton dickie with a black monogram. We used scrap fabric from the jacket to craft her dickie—a perfect example of how we create cohesive, sustainable looks for our riders. Audrey paired her outfit with black breeches featuring a subtle shimmer down the thigh, a nod to classic tuxedo ribboning.

“I almost didn’t recognize this pair at first,” one voter wrote. “They exuded confidence and style. Their hard work has clearly paid off.” And another voter from their barn writing "Audrey works every day on her skills to keep improving in all three disciplines and achieve her goals!". Way to go kiddo! You rock! ✨

Get This Look! These metallic-thread brocades shimmer in motion and come in a range of colors, offering the same luxe texture and eye-catching depth as Audrey’s original—perfect for riders who love a little sparkle without losing sophistication.

Tied for 3rd 🥉:

Ava Leon & ICA Daredevil

We love a tie, and with 84 votes each, both of these young riders will take home $75 gift certificates.

First up, Ava Leon and ICA Daredevil, who brought soft sophistication in a pale mint and taupe windowpane plaid coat with a black top collar and taupe piping. Her white shirt featured a coordinating mint-green center patch and black monogram. “The soft mint green jacket easily stood out in the ring,” one voter said. “Beautiful on a bay horse!” Mint, butter yellow, and pale blue were the colors this year, and Ava wore the trend flawlessly.

Get This Look! These mint and sea foam fabrics are the definition of effortless elegance, offering a breath of fresh air to the traditional hunt seat palette.

Tied for 3rd 🥉:

Marli LaRue Crawford & THFM French Motion Man

Next, Marli LaRue Crawford and THFM French Motion Man. Marli’s fans couldn’t stop raving about her modern take on a classic yellow hunt coat paired with a bold black-and-white striped shirt. The black top collar, pale yellow rolled piping, and black pocket piping made the look pop, while amber-toned buttons gave an ombré effect that tied everything together. Finished with black breeches, boots, gloves, and helmet (yes queen), the look was iconic. One voter said, “I literally couldn’t take my eyes off Marli. Who else was even in this class?” Same.

Get This Look! These sunny yellow fabrics paired with bold contrast accents are pure personality—bright, confident, and impossible to miss (just like Marli herself).

2nd 🥈: Layla Huntress & TTMF Tomodachi

Our runner-up, Layla Huntress, brought pure fun and freshness to the ring. Her pale lilac glen plaid jacket with plum and blue tones was bright, youthful, and perfectly balanced. The vibrant violet top collar outlined in black piping matched her shirt’s placket and collar trim, carrying the color story throughout. From her bold pink lip to her confident presence, Layla and TTMF Tomodachi radiated joy. One voter wrote, “I want this outfit. I want this horse. I want to be Layla!” and we get it. This duo was pure main character energy. Expertly done, chef’s kiss, no notes.

Get This Look! These lilac and lavender fabrics are playful yet poised, perfect for riders who want to bring color and charisma to every pass down the rail.

1st 🏆: Amy Embury & SMSE Lois Lane GCH

And finally, drumroll please. For the second year in a row, your People’s Choice Best Dressed Hunt Rider is none other than Amy Embury and her world-class partner SMSE Lois Lane GCH. This breathtaking Alden Customs ensemble featured an emerald-green velvet fabric that fit like a second skin, outlined with white piping to mirror Lois Lane’s striking blaze. The lapel was lined with paisley cupro—a material traditionally used as lining—which we brought front and center for a “tuxedo” inspired twist. Amy finished the look with a crisp white stock tie that gave this ensemble a timeless eveningwear flair.

Amy came to us with a clear vision, and she executed it with the same elegance and confidence she brings to every class. The result was a show-stopping look that captured both the judges’ eyes and the hearts of her fellow exhibitors. “I always look forward to seeing what Amy’s going to wear,” one voter said. “It’s always classy and elegant but with a modern twist.” Another wrote, “This is the best hunt coat I’ve ever seen. Period.”

Amy, your style, grace, and sportsmanship are unmatched. We’re so proud to call you both a client and a friend. You and Piper continue to embody the spirit of this community, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to see you take home this title for the second year in a row.

Get This Look! These velvet fabrics put a modern spin on a timeless classic, blending rich texture with contemporary colorways that command attention in the ring—proof that tradition and trend can absolutely ride side by side.

Closing Thoughts: Morgan Grand National & World Championship People’s Choice Best Dressed

Every year, this competition reminds me why I love what I do—not just creating clothing, but being part of a community that celebrates individuality, friendship, and shared passion. Even in a year where I couldn’t give this contest the attention it deserved, you all carried it with your enthusiasm and love for one another.

To every rider who nominated a friend, every parent who submitted a photo, every trainer who helped a kid button their coat, thank you. You are the heart of the Morgan horse world.

A heartfelt thank you to The Morgan Horse Magazine, National Horseman, and Howard Schatzberg Photography for their incredible coverage of this year’s show. The beautiful images featured in our Best Dressed submissions capture not just the fashion, but the heart, motion, and magic of the Morgan breed. Your work brings these magic moments to life and allows us to celebrate our riders in all their glory.

Congratulations again to all our finalists, and to the first group of Morgan hunt riders to grace the brand-new Oklahoma City arena. Your style, confidence, and camaraderie continue to raise the bar for what it means to look—and feel—your best in the ring.

Here’s to another year of unforgettable fashion, fierce competition, and the #MorganHorseFamily that keeps us coming back. Until next year...

Bethea Alden Phelan

Owner & Designer, Alden Customs