“‘Do You Know What, Why Not’”: 50 Yo ‘Midlife Crisis Barbie’ Rides to Gain Unexpected Success Atop Her ‘Real Life Unicorn’

Emma Taylor is not an unknown name in the Veteran Horse Society National Championships. She’s participated in the strictly fancy dressage event numerous times and has won it thrice. Her latest win was in the year 2022 where her theme was Midlife Crisis Barbie.

Taylor won the best costume prize and the class prize in which she participated. Earlier she had won both titles, once with the theme of Princess Fiona and Donkey from Shrek, and another time as Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. On the eve of the release of Barbie in cinemas, she shared her latest avatar and the story behind it.

The story behind the idea of Midlife Crisis Barbie and Unicorn

Initially, 50-year-old Emma had not considered Barbie as a theme.  She explained to Horse and Hound, “I’m not a ‘pink girl’ at all.” She had many ideas in her head and was contemplating them all when one day while driving along with her husband Aqua’s Barbie Girl anthem came on the radio channel. That was when they looked at each other and laughed. Her husband said, “You’ve got to do this” and she replied, “I’ ’ll only do it if you’re Ken’!“.

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Taylor thought to herself “Do you know what, why not”. She overcame her age-related fear and followed her passion. She took it as an opportunity to broaden her horizon, use her imagination and be creative. Her idea was to enjoy the horse in the best possible way.

Speaking of the event day she said that it is a five-performance class event that includes the dressage test. She entered the arena on her 17-year-old pre-stallion Novato Salvatella along with her husband and a friend. They were Barbie, Ken, and Barbie’s sister played by the friend. In the end, her husband’s idea bought her luck and she won the best costume prize.

Emma Taylor’s tireless efforts at making her costume

The costume for which Emma won the prize was made all by her. She sewed and glued the costume speaking of which she said, “I’ve Superglued my fingers together a few times!” The costume consisted of tan dance leggings, a pink leotard, a pink skirt, plus a T-shirt with the words Midlife Crisis Barbie sewn on. She also had a blonde wig glued on her hat.

Her horse had a pink vet wrap covered on its bridle, feathers, tinsel, pink bandages, and silver overreach boots to match Barbie’s boots. At the front of the horse, a homemade unicorn horn was fitted with straps. Speaking of her horse Taylor said, “But he is a real-life unicorn. He’s the kindest, gentlest stallion you’ll ever meet, a complete gentleman“.

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