Hats steal the show at Waregem Koerse, from African-inspired designs to a horse’s head

At Waregem Koerse, the hats compete for attention almost as fiercely as the horses. Designs of every color and size appeared around the racecourse, and the most striking creations could win prizes.

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I love Africa. That is why. African.

Dominique De Fever arrived with a headpiece inspired by Africa. She said she loved Africa and had attended Waregem Koerse with friends for four years. She joked that she might enter the official competition one day if she could figure out how to register.

Els Hermans, who came from Lichtaart with her husband, did enter. She said she had been told wearing a hat was almost compulsory, so she put one on, although she did not make it herself.

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If I only knew how to officially enter the competition, I might do it one day.

Maria Leona Poppe of Sint-Niklaas wore a hat shaped like a horse’s head. She designed it during the coronavirus period while she was stuck in Italy, originally making it for her grandchildren. Her eldest granddaughter later asked her to keep the “little horse.” Poppe wanted to enter the competition but missed the registration deadline.

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My eldest granddaughter said afterward: 'Nonna, that can stay with you, that little horse.'

Former Miss Belgium Justine De Jonckheere, who has presented the hat competition for years, wore a hat but did not compete. She said that would not be fair. Anonymous judges assessed hats inside and outside the tent, while another jury scored designs on a catwalk using a checklist that included creativity. Waregem alderwoman Marie Van Tieghem chose not to wear one, saying she felt more comfortable without it and that being yourself was best.

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That would not be fair.