PHOTO BY VICKI JOHNSON Valerie Heydinger works on a pair of chaps for a customer in Arizona.

Showing Style on the horse show circuit has been Valerie Heydinger’s specialty for 10 years. She creates clothing people wear during competitions. Although many local people aren’t aware Showing Style by Valerie exists between Melmore and Bloomville, people on the circuit know her custom designs well. “I’ve had customers from all over the country,” she said. “I would say a majority of them are in Ohio. “These chaps,” she said, pointing to pieces of black leather on her work table, “are being shipped to a customer in Arizona. “I’ve got chaps and men’s shirts all over the country,” she said. Even the “Gerber baby,” who now shows horses in adulthood, wears clothing designed by her. Heydinger mainly travels with the quarter horse circuit, but also attends shows for Arabians, paints, buckskins, appaloosas and open shows. “A lot of my customers are from the same circuit,” she said. “We usually take a popup tent and then I decorate that with displays and clothes.