Southern made: Saddle up in steeplechase style

To get in the mood for April 16's 46th running of Atlanta Steeplechase, also known as "The Best Lawn Party in Georgia," this week's favorites include equine art, dresses for the modern Southern woman and leather belts for your bow-tie beau.

Giddy up

Atlanta native Bonnie Beauchamp-Cooke is a long-time horse lover. And her paintings show it. Inspired by the beloved horses on her family farm near Madison, Cooke succeeds in capturing their power and personalities in her heavily textured equestrian paintings. In her "green" Buckhead studio, Cooke works on large canvases, which she preps with molding paste, dirt, paint and paper. Using her hands, Cooke finishes her figurative paintings with layersf  oacrylic and oil paints. "Butter," which measures 36 inches by 48 inches, is an example. It is $3,200 at Huff Harrington Fine Art, 4240 Rickenbacker Drive, Atlanta, www.huffharrington.com. See more of Cooke's work, including paintings and drawings of dogs, landscapes and her popular new series of elegant and elongated ladies, at www. beauchamp-cooke.com.

Material girl

Annie Griffin's sophisticated and flirty designs are inspired by her artistic background, love of color and her desire to make comfortable yet flattering women's clothes. A Memphis native, Griffin graduated from Southern Methodist University as a studio art major. After college, she moved to Atlanta, worked and developed an interest in fashion design. Eventually, she took classes at SCAD before deciding to launch her own line of women's clothes. Griffin's silk dresses, tops and skirts have a classic, slightly vintage feel and appeal to women college-age and up. The best-selling "Charlotte" dress (pictured) is $290. The "Meg" dress, also a hot buy, is $270 at Poppy's of Atlanta, 56 E. Andrews Drive, Atlanta. www.poppysofatlanta.com. See more of Griffin's clothing line at www.anniegriffincollection.com

Leather traditions

Your stable of leather goods should include belts by Wiley Brothers of Charlottesville, Va. Started in 1999 by two brothers, the company specializes in handmade leather belts. Marcus and Paul grew up in rural Virginia on an active horse farm and have a deep appreciation for the look, feel, smell and durability of vegetable-tanned English bridle leather. Their four-loop, hoof pick belt ($145) is their signature and a favorite of horse lovers and others. The buckle is hand-stitched to bridle leather and hooks into one of four loops. The belt comes in a variety of colors and odd/even sizes from 26 to 42. Other popular belt styles include the slip cinch ($120), the dress ($145) and the traditional buckle ($120). When the company started, it offered two belt styles in two colors. Now there are six styles and 10 colors. A new line, targeting women, is on the way. Check www.wileybelts.com. Locally, find some Wiley belt styles at Sid Mashburn, 1198 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, www.sidmashburn.com

Southern favorites

Do you have favorite finds from around the South that you give as gifts, buy for your home or rave about to friends? If so, please share them with us. Send your suggestions to: ljerkins@bellsouth.net. Please include your name and contact number.

Atlanta Steeplechase

When: Saturday. Gates open at 9 a.m.

Where: Kingston Downs, Kingston.