From Tragedy to Triumph

Shari Clark's dream of riding in the Rose Bowl Parade has come true! On New Year's Day 2014, she rode a Norwegian Fjord horse through the parade wearing a very special modern bunad outfit that I had the privilege of helping create. Shari sewed the beautiful skirt, elegant cape and decorative vest to her ensemble. The blouse she wore with the costume was a collaboration of talents between my mom, Mary Hoffmann, and me. She did the beautiful tailoring, and I did custom embroidery work. (See close ups of the blouse: here) It's exciting to be able to share with you some photos and video footage of the blouse we created in action during the Rose Parade events together with the gorgeous ensemble Shari made!

Shari's road to the Rose Parade is of tragic beginnings. Her beloved Fjord horse had contracted rabies from a skunk that had entered its fence line. Shari and her entire family had to be treated for the infection, and they ended up losing their lovely horse. While still grieving the loss, Shari was asked by her coach if she'd be interested in riding in the Rose Parade. She said okay, and her path to the Rose Parade began.

Shari had some amazing experiences while she was in Los Angeles for the parade including: a training ride through the foothills of Santa Monica to the Hollywood sign, riding in Equestfest, attending a party thrown for her group by the local Sons of Norway, sleeping under the stars on the blocked off highway in the parade lineup, and of course riding in the Rose Parade!

Shari wearing the bunad blouse at Santa Anita Racing Park with a couple other partygoers at the 

event put on for the Rose Parade equestrians.

(Photo courtesy of Shari Clark)

Shari riding in Equestfest with an antique wedding crown on loan from the 

Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum of Decora, Iowa.

(Copyright Andrew Mergenthaler)

(Copyright Andrew Mergenthaler)

(Copyright Andrew Mergenthaler)

See Shari riding her horse in Equestfest along with some of the other performances in this video:

(Video by Andrew Mergenthaler)

(Photo courtesy of Shari Clark)

(Photo courtesy of Shari Clark)

Riding in the Rose Parade!

(Photo copyright of Sandra North)

(Photo copyright of Sandra North)

Shari road with the Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry. Photo I took of the group while watching the Rose Parade on TV on New Year's Day:

For Shari, the experience of taking part in the Rose Parade brought her triumph after the tragedy of losing her horse. She says, "On this long and unpredictable journey of life dreams can come true. After shattered dreams I also found a dream come true."

A big thank you to Shari Clark for sharing her story, and for the opportunity to take part in her costume for the parade! A very special thanks to the talented photographers and videographers that allowed me to use their work in this post.

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