It was a special treat for Dappled Grey to attend the 40th annual Menlo Charity Horse Show on the beautiful and historic grounds of the Menlo Circus Club, in Atherton, California.
Menlo is absolutely a destination show – one might even call it California’s most stylish horse show – and a unique mix of East Coast equestrian elegance and relaxed, West Coast vibe.
You’re sure to see the latest fashions and trends in equestrian apparel, as well as the California circuit’s tip-top hunters and jumpers. Yet all manner of dogs (and even a horse show cat!) are free to walk the jumper courses with their riders and everyone flocks to the oval arena on Saturday to watch the annual parade of adorable leadliners. Menlo’s Saturday evening Grand Prix feels like a summertime wine and cheese party for several thousand members of the West Coast’s closest English equestrian family.
After many years as a junior competitor at this show, it was a delightful experience to return, camera in hand, to document some of what makes Menlo so special.
