7 Minute Read
1st June 2026
Every lady in the arena has a chance to win a £500 voucher from Mackenzie & George as our eagle-eyed, team fashionistas will be scouting the crowds throughout the day to shortlist ten standout looks for the final judging. Remember you’ll be walking around on the beautiful, grassy terrain between Scone Palace and the River Tay, so swap those raceday heels for something more practical!
This fun addition to Friday's event has been designed to celebrate our loyal horsewomen in true Trials style. Think countryside chic meets effortless grooming as you embrace practical, timeless equestrian glamour that’s full of personality. Fabulous feathered trilbies, beautifully tailored tweeds and polished flat boots are all expected to score high with the judges.
Shortlisted finalists will be welcomed into the main arena by Johanna Derry Hall, Editor of Muddy Stilettos Scotland, who will be hosting this inaugural event. Johanna will be joined by Mackenzie & George Co-Founder, Melanie Clarihew, who has the tricky job of casting the final vote. Check out her top tips below!
Morag Connaghan, Director of Operations at Perth Racecourse, said: “Ladies’ Day is one of our most popular annual racing occasions, and we're aiming to recreate that sense of fun at the horse trials. The Best Dressed Lady competition is our way of recognising the loyal equestrian women who support events like these year after year. We’ll be looking for outfits that capture the essence of modern country style – elegant, practical and full of personality. It promises to be a fantastic addition to Friday’s programme and a wonderful celebration of the people who make our sport so special.”
Head to the main arena at 12.30pm on Friday 28 August, where one winner will be crowned Best Dressed Lady 2026. Will it be you?
Founded in 2012, this stunning British brand is known for beautifully crafted leather accessories, timeless countryside style and pieces designed to be worn, loved and built to last. From signature belts and fedoras to handbags, dog collars and personalised leather goods, every piece reflects a love of quality, heritage and understated elegance.
We caught up with Melanie Clarihew, Co-Founder of Mackenzie & George, to chat style tips, wardrobe ideas and Horse Trials fashion must-haves!
Q. Mackenzie & George has become synonymous with timeless British country style. How would you describe the Mackenzie & George look in three words?
MC: Timeless, classic, quality.
You don't need a completely new wardrobe to look the part at a horse trials. How can the right accessories transform a simple outfit into something really special?
This was actually part of why we created Mackenzie & George. Neither Chris (my co-director and husband) nor I have ever been into flashy clothes adorned with expensive logos, and I've loved the way accessories can completely change an outfit and make it work for the right environment. A simple shirt and jeans is a classic, but adding something like a Chester or Ledbury belt gives it a completely different feel - and I always believed you never look fully dressed without a belt on!
Add one of our fedoras to shade you from the sun (with our soon to be launched summer collection) or rain (with our signature felt fedoras), and they also keep your hair out of your face on a windy day too. I LIVE in my Eversley Everywhere bag as it sits nice and flat but has a vast capacity for everything you need, or our new Stowfolds would look great with the Ledbury belt too.
By investing in accessories, you can make a look feel really purposefully put together. One of the great things about accessories is you can add occasional on-trend high street pieces, but good quality staples will always pull the look together and aren't bound by the same seasonality.
If you could choose just one Mackenzie & George accessory that captures the spirit of horse trials style, what would it be and why?
Ooh its hard to pick one, so I might cheat and pick two! Our Felt Fedora has been a staple of horse trials since we launched them in 2013, especially with our beautiful feather brooches handmade by Wendy Goode. But I am looking forward to seeing more of our just launched Beaufort belt around the events - a big brother to our best selling Badminton, featuring the same three solid brass mini bits around the belt but 10mm wider and with a textured overlay down the middle. It looks fantastic on everyone!
As sponsors of the Best Dressed Lady competition at Scone Palace International Horse Trials, what will you be looking for when choosing this year's winner?
I love seeing people dress with a real sense of their own personal style rather than following the crowd. I always admire people who break fashion "rules" and have a keen eye for how proportions work for them. Ultimately I'll be looking for strong women who are unapologetically themselves, and also dressed with the event in mind. Stilettos aren't ideal for a day at a horse trials!
And finally, country style has always balanced practicality with elegance. What's your top style tip for women planning a day at Scone Palace International Horse Trials?
Layers and comfort! There's so much to see and do in a day, the last thing you want is aching feet or fighting with a flappy skirt if the wind picks up! And you won't want to go home, so you'll want a warmer layer for the evening and a light waterproof one ideally - even if it doesn't rain it gives you somewhere to sit wherever you are on the course. If you don't want to wear your hat all day, invest in one of our hat clips so you can hang it from your bag and remain handsfree.
Visit the Mackenzie and George website for a preview on the gorgeous products you will find at the Horse Trials.
