Effective equestrian clothing begins with knowledge of the mechanics of riding. But beyond that, the sky's the limit--and certain designers have taken that to heart, creating performance-oriented garments that rival anything seen on the runways.
Here's a look at some top equestrian designers and the inspirations behind their creations, brought to you by Everything For Horse & Rider magazine.
Beth Cross
Ariat International
800-899-8141; www.ariat.com
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- Beth Cross
- Photo courtesy of Ariat International
If you've ever put boot to stirrup, chances are you're familiar with Ariat International, which revolutionized equestrian footwear in the early 1990s. Indeed, the founding of this company by Beth Cross is one of this industry's best-known success stories.
No stranger to horses, Cross grew up as the seventh of eight kids on a Thoroughbred farm in Pennsylvania. "My mother ran the farm, and we all worked taking care of the animals," she recalls. As an adult, Cross acquired an MBA at Stanford University and embarked on a career in strategy, marketing and sales.
It was while working for Bain and Company, a consulting company that helps Fortune 100 companies develop and refine their business strategies, that Cross first ventured into the realm of athletic footwear. "I worked with the executives at Reebok and Avia on a variety of business issues, with a focus on identifying growth opportunities," she explains. Aware how technologically backward riding boots were, Cross queried Reebok about entering the equestrian market--but was promptly turned down.
One thing led to another, and by 1993, Cross and her colleague Pam Parker had drawn up a business plan and launched their own version of the California dream--a dream that combined Cross' equestrian interests with her knowledge of design and business strategy. For their debut product, the pair sought input from riders, trainers and their own athletic shoe industry contacts, which resulted in the creation of a high-tech, comfortable and supportive footwear foundation dubbed the "Advanced Torque Stability Footbed."
"When we started Ariat in 1993, as riders we saw an opportunity to develop performance riding boots designed specifically for the needs of professional equestrian athletes, much like Nike did for running and other sports," Cross explains.
The response was overwhelming, and in one fell swoop, the notion of equestrian footwear as stodgy and uncomfortable was banished to the 19th century. But Cross didn't stop there. Though her partner had to leave Ariat in 1995, Cross got busy reinventing women's footwear, addressing the special needs of female riders with Ariat's trademark commitment to quality and attention to detail.
Business has boomed since then, to the point of expansion into Western riding boots, leather accessories and even apparel--all with award-winning results. In fact, Ariat has been "Official Apparel Supplier" of the United States Equestrian Federation--and therefore the U.S. Equestrian Team--since 2006. This year, in honor of the Olympics, the company is unveiling a special USEF-branded sportswear collection.
In a company known for its innovations, Cross considers the most important of these Ariat's "relentless commitment" to continually improve and refine its technology to meet the evolving requirements of riders. "Five years ago, we took the same approach to creating a line of technically advanced riding apparel, and our incredibly talented design team has developed a line of clothing designed to meet the needs of top riders around the world," she notes.
As Cross goes on to explain, "Every design element that goes into our clothing, from stretch to moisture wicking to sun protection, is designed to improve the comfort and performance of the rider. And our designers make sure that the colors and patterns are as beautiful and trendy as they are functional."
Cross is excited about Ariat's 2008 clothing collections. "For women, we have developed a performance layering system that offers moisture wicking and sun protection properties built into the fabrics themselves," she offers. "Our woven shirts for men are designed specifically for riding, with an exclusive cut or pattern that allows greater arm mobility while riding, and also provides moisture management and SPF sun protection."
Nor has she forgotten her equestrian roots. "Today I live with my husband and our three children in Northern California," she says. "All three kids ride, and we have a pony that they all share."
