The Hat Lady

Often in my life I have had the "chance meeting" of a person who just clicks with me. Such was the case in Lexington, at the Sport Horse Nationals. There is a section at many major breed horse shows, reserved for vendors. "The Hat Lady" is one such vendor. If you win a major horse show event, the show sponsoring organization provides their logo and "team-shop" outer wear i.e. Letter jackets, wool with leather sleeves, and then more modern fabric outerwear that has a little more up to date styling.

This product has become the "trademark" jacket to show success at one of the "Nationals" whether it be Arabian, Morgan, Quarter Horse etc. The status symbol jacket is recognized by exhibitors all over the country.

And we met the "Hat Lady". Terri Deering and husband Tom and daughter Jayme run the shop at shows and produce menories for lots of exhibitors and their families.

Well , Sarah won a National Championship so we all trucked up to the booth where the Hat Lady showed off her wares. During the long process of selection I sat down and just waited and watched. After awhile, the Hat Lady came over and sat down with me and we started to talk. It has been said that I have never met a stranger, and that would pretty much describe the meeting with Terri. We talked about real estate, how she started her business and I was so very impressed, as I have such admiration for women entreprenuers.

In 1984 Terri would attend a Horse Show with a card table, and a tea kettle. "Can I clean up your hat? (show hat, western or saddleseat usually made of wool felt, and she also "colored plain hats with acrylic spray paint. Want a red one and couldn't find one, she could make it happen)" says she. "Sure, it looks bad, it's dusty and out of shape" said the wearer.

That lead to a more sophisticated "table, and then like Topsy, her business grew and grew.
A sweet story told by Terri was of the chance meeting of a gentleman at a show and she offered to "clean up" his western hat. For the purpose of brevity in the telling of the story I will summarize: "Are you going to get a haircut before you show your horse" says Terri. "Why do I need a haircut" says the guy. "Well, you should either get a haircut or wear a bun" says Terri. Laughter from the gentleman. He returned to pick up his hat, paid the bill and they joked a little more. After he left the booth someone came up to Terri and said "do you know who that is"?
"No, said Terri". "That was Patrick Swayze, the movie star". "Oh, said Terri, I've never seen his movies". Terri saw Patrick many times, and they would laugh about the "bun". God rest his soul, he was touched by Terri like so many people were.

A very successful business that is family owned and run. After ten years, Tom left his enterprise and went to work doing the custom embroidery for Terri. And by the looks of the line at the booth he must work long, long hours doing that job.

They traveled the show circuits, but they had Arabian and Half-Arabian horses, and daughter Jayme won her first National Championship at the age of 13. Terri show as well, and they have been involved for over 30 years.

Just plain nice, genuine people. The daughter and Sarah hit it off from the get go, so after the show, Sarah got a call from Jayme saying the family was traveling to Cincinniti to see an uncle, and then they wanted to go up to Cleveland and see the Rock Hall of Fame. "Well you just come right up here with your RV Semi truck and you can park in our drive and go from here". And they did. What fun, as Sarah's friend and client (our friend too!) Maggie invited us over for dinner. Kevin made his special lasagna (one also with sauce and artichokes), Maggie had appetizers, wine, salad, breads and Mama Jo Pies (that's another story). We had a wonderful time and talked and talked and laughed and laughed.

They all went to the Rock Hall on Thursday, and Terri, Tom and Jayme stayed another night with Sarah and Kevin. I headed off to Jackson to announce, but had a warm wonderful feeling having met these great folks.

Whenever you are at a Horse Show, stop and check out the booth of The Hat Lady. They are just plain wonderful! They are off to the Morgan Nationals in Oklahoma City, and then to Arabian Nationals in Tulsa. From November to January 5 or so, they like Dorothy Click their heels, and "there's no place like home" in Washington state.

I am richer for having me them. And believe me, in this economy, being rich with friends like that means you are rollin' in it!
p.s. she also feeds her horses Succeed digestive aid like Sarah and I do, so she takes great care of her horses too!
Take a moment and check out: www.thehatlady.com


Below is Tom ( a musician also, Terri in her signature Tie Dye, and daughter Jayme with the gorgeous red hair!