Carrying Your Love With Me
Ella Kate pro images courtesy of Rachel Griffin Photography.
More than just fabric – the Herman family’s Youth World Show attire reflects Dr. Robie Herman’s determination and spirit, and most of all, his love.
By Delores Kuhlwein
Dr. Robie Herman’s pride in his kids was renowned in the industry.
Even though they leave a void in our hearts, the loved ones we have lost are often still with us – in spirit and as a source of strength – as we navigate the world without their physical presence.
Earlier this year, the Herman family lost their beloved father, husband, and friend to all in the industry, Dr. Robie Herman. As the family approached the AQHYA World Championship Show, Krista Herman knew she wanted to find a way to bring Robie into the show pen with daughter Ella Kate and son Jack. “Showing horses has always been something that has kept our family close, and Robie was always so proud of his kids any time they were showing,” she explains.
So she contacted Tammy Bogart of All That Show Clothing, who was Ella Kate’s go-to show clothes designer, to help the concept come to fruition. “Normally Robie and I would sit and design the shirts together with Ella Kate, so this was special for me, as I adored her dad,” says Tammy.
A Gift from the Heart
“She immediately knew how to make it happen for Ella Kate,” adds Krista. “Together, we decided to take one of Robie’s old show shirts that he loved and always wore in the pleasure and transform it into a custom piece for Ella Kate to wear with her pleasure horse and all-around horse.”
-
- Robie with Lets Holiday in his favorite show shirt.
-
- Images of Robie by Jeff Kirkbride Photography.
In fact, the collaborators decided to surprise Ella Kate with the shirt at Youth World, and Tammy got to work on an original piece for Ella Kate incorporating Robie’s signature plaid show shirt. Tammy says, “That way, her dad is with her every stride! It makes my heart so happy as they are an amazing family and I consider them true friends and not just clients!”
-
- Tammy Bogart’s work creating an original shirt and keepsake for Ella Kate was a labor of love.
-
- Shirt studio photos: All That Show Clothing.
Krista reveals, “It’s more than just fabric — it’s a part of Robie, something tangible she can carry with her as she continues the journey they began together and both loved so much. Ella Kate was so surprised, and she absolutely loves it. Tammy truly outdid herself.”
On Saturday evening, as Ella Kate prepared for L2 Youth 13 & Under Western Horsemanship with “Lets Holiday” under the guidance of Berryhill Quarter Horses, she was asked if she would be wearing the special shirt for the class, her first of the show. “Yes, ma’am. I’m going to take it out and wear it today and hopefully get some good luck! He was always the most important person in my horse show life, so this is to keep his memory and carry on his legacy. He was amazing.”
Ella Kate with Lets Holiday – photo by Rachel Griffin Photography.
Closer to the Heart
All three of the Herman kids share the passion of the horse and showing that Robie modeled so lovingly for them, so the idea of Robie’s shirt recreated for Ella Kate naturally inspired more.
“We did this so Ella Kate could feel close to her dad in a place that meant so much to them both. And we wanted the same for Jack,” shares Krista.
“For him, we had one of Robie’s hats remade to wear when he shows “TNR Latte On Ice” in Aged Geldings on Saturday. Just like Ella Kate’s shirt, it’s a piece of their dad that they can carry into the arena with them — a reminder that he’s right there, cheering them on. Although Caroline has hung up her show clothes as she heads off to college in a few weeks, she’s every bit a part of this legacy we built together.”
Saturday in the Aged Geldings, Jack will wear Robie’s hat that was remade just for him. Photo: Shane Rux Photography.
A Forever Legacy
The elements of their show clothes wardrobe that are tied to Robie serve a larger than life purpose for the family. “For Ella Kate and Jack, wearing their dad’s shirt and hat isn’t just about honoring him,” says Krista. “It’s about tangibly feeling his love, his pride, and his steady presence in a moment he would have given anything to share with them. I know he will be with the kids in spirit this week as they enter into the pen, and I know Ella Kate will ride with the same determination and heart he always admired and instilled in her.”
These pieces, says Krista, hold more value than simply new horse show clothes. “They are symbols of our family’s bond and the legacy Robie left behind. For Ella Kate and Jack, it’s a way to continue to carry their dad’s strength with them every time they compete, and for all of us, it’s a reminder that he is still with us in everything we do.”
