Revealed: The face of the Cairns Cup racing carnival for 2022

Not only is she super stylish, the face of the Cairns Cup Carnival for 2022 is also a highly accomplished horsewoman.

A PASSION for thoroughbreds and a natural flair for race day fashion combine to make Malanda horsewoman Kymberlee Cockrem the perfect inaugural winner of the Red Beret Hotel Cairns Cup Carnival Platinum Model Management Face of the Carnival.

She will be the Cairns Cup Carnival Ambassador for 2022, promoting the carnival and judging fashions on the field, and has won more than $2000 in prizes.

“I am thoroughly looking forward to it, it will be great,” Ms Cockrem said.

She grew up around thoroughbreds as her late grandfather was Cairns trainer Reg Hubbard and today she is an accomplished show rider, competing on off the track thoroughbreds.

“I wanted to ride as a very young child,” Ms Cockrem said.

She has competed with considerable success at prestigious shows including Brisbane Royal and Toowoomba Royal.

“That was the reason I started going to the races, I was on the lookout for nice show horses,” she said.

Ms Cockrem had some great wins on former racehorse Hedz, part-owned by prominent racing enthusiast Tom Hedley and trained by Roy Chillemi at Tolga.

The chestnut gelding was no slouch on the track, winning three times and placing four times from just a dozen starts – and he won plenty of blue ribbons in the supreme ridden section on the Far North show circuit, with Ms Cockrem riding.

Hedz is now 18 years old.

“We have a few geriatrics in our paddocks, they will be here forever,” she said with a laugh.

“I’ve been doing it for 25 years, a long time – I work to afford my horses, and my clothes,” she said.

As well as winning blue ribbons and trophies on the equestrian show circuit, Ms Cockrem has won many sashes in Fashions on the Field both locally and in capital cities.

She continues to amass an enviable wardrobe of bespoke outfits.

“I have so many favourites and I love them all for different reasons,” she confessed.

“I have a huge wardrobe, I don’t like getting rid of them, I get far too attached to them and selling them makes me sad.”

Planning an outfit for a special racing occasion starts months ahead.

“I try to find fabric that I like and that is suitable for season and the right colour and weight – up here we have to be careful because of the climate,” she said.

“I see how it falls and think about what sort of design would sit nicely – it’s got to be comfortable, you don’t want to be playing with your outfit.”

Kymberlee Cockrem of Malanda has won many prestigious sashes in Fashions on the Field competitions on the eastern seaboard. Picture: Heather York.

Her dresses are custom-made and she supports local dressmakers and milliners.

“A custom dress generally sits nicely,” Ms Cockrem said.

She is delighted to be able to engage expert Far North dressmaker Pauline Fenech, whose creations have won countless awards over the years.

Ms Fenech has 50 years working with women to bring their visions to fruition, specialising in race wear – but she is retired and only does a few commissions each year.

“Pauline has done some really lovely dresses,” she said.

Ms Cockrem also engages Tully designer Angelique Di Bella, who famously designed a Rainbow Serpent dress for Tully’s Miss World Australia, Madeline Crow, to wear at a national costume pageant in Washington in 2016.

Mrs Di Bella grew up in Tully, got her start studying design at Innisfail TAFE and now designs wedding, debutante and formal gowns.

Cairns Cup Carnival Platinum Model Management Face of the Carnival Kymberlee Cockrem recommends bright colours for racing in the tropics. Picture: Heather York.

Dressmaker Susan Orr, of Thistle Originals in Cairns, is another favourite for Ms Cockrem.

She favours Cairns-based milliner Kelly Hill and With Grace Millinery.

Ms Cockrem recommends Sonlia Fashion at Mareeba for those seeking complete outfits incorporating a dress and headpiece.

The boutique offers affordable options, caters for larger sizes and has outfits ideal for the tropics.

“I really like to use and support local people,” Ms Cockrem said.

She isn’t overly influenced by broader fashion trends.

“I go with what I love, and hope that the judges like it too, I try to incorporate trends with bags and shoes,” she reflected.

“I generally get something made that isn’t going to date and can be worn down the track as well – I sometimes wear them out to dinner, and to weddings, I do tend to wear them again.”

Ms Cockrem’s insider tips include keeping in mind the size of a hat brim if you’re going to be seated at a luncheon.

Fashionista Kymberlee Cockrem suggests that big hats can be unwieldy at times, such as when sitting down to lunch. Picture: Heather York.

“A big hat is not always the best option,” she said.

Comfortable shoes are an absolute must for what may be a long day.

And – like famous trainer Gai Waterhouse – Ms Cockrem always has a spare pair of shoes on hand.

Asked about fashion fails, Ms Cockrem said there had been few.

“One of the only things was when I bought a dress off the rack for Amateurs, and another girl had the same dress,” she said.

Her tip for the Cairns Cup Carnival next August is to go for bright colours.

“Bright colours work well in a tropical climate,” she said.

And her recommendations for beginners are straightforward.

“Start simple, get a lovely custom-made dress that is comfortable, and have comfortable headwear,” she offered.

A love of horses and passion for fashion make Malanda woman Kymberlee Cockrem an ideal inaugural winner of the Red Beret Hotel Cairns Cup Carnival Platinum Model Management Face of the Carnival for 2022. Picture: Alison Faignie.

“Be confident and go out and enjoy your day – if you are comfortable and confident, it shows.”

Cairns Jockey Club general manager John Cameron said the club was thrilled to reveal Ms Cockrem as 2022 Red Beret Hotel Cairns Cup Carnival Platinum Model Management Face of the Carnival.

“Kymberlee’s style, grace and commitment to the fashion, racing and equestrian industry made her the perfect choice to be the inaugural 2022 Red Beret Hotel Cairns Cup Face of the carnival,” Mr Cameron said.

“The Face of the Carnival is synonymous with style and prestige so our partnership with Platinum Model Management for this inaugural award aligns perfectly.

“The introduction of this inaugural award cements the Red Beret Hotel Cairns Cup Carnival’s commitment to being at the forefront of racing, fashion and innovation,” he said.

Originally published as Revealed: The face of the Cairns Cup racing carnival for 2022