WDM GUIDE 2016 : Silvia Rizzo The Equestrian Fashion Queen

Silvia Rizzo, a well know rider in the dressage world and admired by Fashion King Valentino.

“For me are not only important the results but the elegance and the happiness of my horse. I stand out in my own way, which is being fashionable with happy horses. Not only she is the equestrian fashion icon with her own clothing line, she also attends the biggest events of the world like the WDM with her all-time favorite Lusitano sweetheart Sal. 

Silvia: “ It′s a good idea to bring a breath of fresh air on the conservative clothes that were common in the dressage world.” Bolt as she is, Silvia decided to do it her way and started to wear fashionable clothes: “In my opinion, the dressage world is too conservative. I like to stand out and I think that everyone in the equestrian world should have a personal identity.” The audience loves her and they always react ‘really really well’, as Silvia describes: “Besides receiving a lot of messages and e-mails of fans, I also receive many positive replies from other riders about my clothes. Even if I don’t win, I stand out for something different.”

In 2015 she was awarded for her sense of style with the Chi E’ Chi Award, during the Milan fashion week, in the Sport Category for being Italy’s brightest ambassador of elegance and style in the international sport world.

ITALIAN FASHION KING VALENTINO

One of Silvia’s most eye-catching fashion items was the Silver Mirror Helmet, a shiny helmet with the Italian flag displayed on it. “I came up with the idea for the helmet when I thought of my favorite fairy tale Snow White.” She was intrigued by the fairy tale, and especially by the part of “mirror, mirror on the wall”.

The idea for the helmet was born and became the piece de la resistance. One of the fans of the helmet was no one less than Fashion King Valentino. When the topic of Valentino turns up, she gets a glow on her face and starts to smile. Silvia: “I could not believe that I was invited to the VIP area of the sultan , where Valentino was sitting. He was attracted by my elegance and called me divine! You can understand that I was in the seventh heaven!”

As Valentino already mentioned, one of the things that is important for Silvia when it comes to clothes is : elegance. On the question why she launched her own clothing line (Stylish Rider) and shop (www.hofmarabunta.com), she answers that she missed something on the market.

Silvia: “I really like fashion, colorful things and elegance. I combined these things and developed something new and fashionable.”

“ PEOPLE LIKE MY PUBLIC ATTITUDE”

Not only she is a real fashion trendsetter, she is the leader in the dressage world when it comes to engagement with her fans. For Silvia, connecting with her fans is really important: “When I ride, I can really feel that the public is standing next to me and that they enjoy what I do. It is a great support and I am very honored! ” She receives a lot of e-mails and messages on Facebook from fans with questions about their outfits and horses:

“ People really like my public attitude and are grateful that I can give them suggestions about their clothes and horses or whatever they need ”

She takes a pause and tells her opinion on the topic of how to increase the popularity of the dressage sport: “More involvement with the public is necessary. People need to be involved with the riders and horses to create a connection with the public.” She is very positive when it comes to public involvement at the WDM: “The World Dressage Masters always has great shows. It is a public show, and it always attracts a lot of people of all levels.“

SIL & SAL: LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

Besides a clothing line and shop, she also has goals with her beloved horse Sal. The answer Silvia gives to the question what dressage goals she has, shows the love she has for her horse: “One of my dreams is to keep happy Sal while I am riding him!. When I met Sal, it was love at first sight. Thanks to him I am able to attend the biggest events in the world. I am so grateful for him!”

They already were successful in the past, amongst others a silver medal at the European Championships in Gent, and they keep going strong. Silvia: “I now only choose the exclusive events I really like, and I will definitely attend a few World Dressage Masters events.” Sil & Sal make a great combination and are very unique. Not only does Silvia stand out as a fashion trendsetter,Sal also stands out as the first Lusitano in the Ranking of the World Breeding Federation of Sport Horses in 2014.

When it comes to her land of origin, Italy, there are not many big dressage events. This is exactly the reason why she moved to Germany in 2006. In Germany she had the possibility to develop herself and enter in the real dressage world. Silvia: “In Italy there was not a real dressage world. However, it would be fantastic to have a World Dressage Masters event in Rome! It would attract a lot of people and involve a lot of sponsors. And of course I would attend!’