When the pandemic brought a bustling world to a screeching halt, equestrian Jessica Andrews immediately felt panicked. Her successful Los Angeles company, On Location Hair & Makeup, was dependent upon human touch, which was not conducive with social distancing.

With over 20 years of experience in the personal care industry, her expertise lay in making women feel confident and beautiful. The events leading up to launching her apparel business, Eques Pante, were influenced by stillness. Andrews followed her instincts, allowing her equestrian experiences to take the reins.

Beauty & Horses

Born and raised in London, England, Andrews moved to Los Angeles, Calif., in 2005, pursuing her hair stylist dreams. She gradually built her beauty business, providing makeup and hair styling services to the entertainment industry. Soon enough she had developed a long list of clients, from celebrities and producers to other influential women.

A horse girl from an early age, Andrews started riding at age 11. In her childhood, she could be found gallivanting through the English countryside aboard her pony, Pepper. She took the train by herself every weekend into Oxfordshire to spend time with him.

This strong dedication at an early age showed how much horses meant to her. Fast forwarding to adulthood and her new life in Los Angeles, Andrews found herself horseless, unsure about her future. Eventually she found her stride again, and began taking lessons at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center and beyond.

Changed by a Horse

One day she met Nahlea, a life-changing red filly that had been on a truck bound for slaughter until an equine rescue intervened, pulling her from the situation. Malnourished and unhandled, Nahlea didn’t have an easy start to life.

But there was something about the mare that captivated Andrews from the fateful moment she met her in a dusty Southern California lot. Nahlea was uneasy from her past, and trust wasn’t something she willingly gave out at first.

“It took me a while to gain her trust,” says Andrews. “I went slow, meeting her twice a day for short periods. Once I gained her trust, she followed me everywhere. We went for hand-walks in the hills and through forests; it was one of my favorite times with her.”

Mentally, Nahlea bloomed, but she needed to have surgery for osteochondrosis in her stifles. When she returned from a successful surgery and rehab, Nahlea was ready to start her riding career.

Andrews sought out a dressage trainer and began advancing her skills, spending hours in the saddle riding various warmbloods. Her seat and knowledge progressed, along with a new awareness of rider rashes and hot spots from long hours in the saddle.

It was then Andrews began trying different undergarments, searching for something that could help meet the demands of life in the saddle.

“I just felt like we needed something really custom for our sport, because every sport has an underwear!”

The Pandemic Idea that Led to Eques Pante

In the spring of 2020, Andrews was out of work due to the pandemic. Her creative mindset never stopped, and she began sketching and creating Eques Pante.

A passion for practical products and entrepreneurship was in Andrews’ blood. At one point, she wanted to make a hairbrush, but it never came to fruition because of cost and design challenges. When it came to Eques Pante, it felt easier, as if this product was meant to be.

“I had a little bit of an issue finding a factory that wanted to do something completely custom,” Andrews says. “Then I found a really great guy, and he helped me with everything through the entire design process.”

A year later, Eques Pante was launched in February of 2021, just a month after Andrews relocated to Colorado. Covid had inspired changes, and she was ready to embrace them.

Andrews has worn all the hats: she was the product tester, the fit model, the designer, and the brains behind the operation. There has been an amazing response to the brand, despite it being brand new. Andrews says the typical first-time customer is skeptical at first, but then impressed.

Goodbye Nahlea

2023 began with the heartbreaking and unexpected passing of Nahlea. The mare shaped much of Andrews’ life and the decisions she made along the way throughout the creation of Eques Pante.

“It was one of the hardest, saddest days I have been through,” she says. “That day, I said goodbye to my great friend and adventure partner for over eight years. [Nahlea] wasn’t an easy ride, and without her, I probably wouldn’t have sought to advance my riding skills and had a need to create Eques Pante.”

Moving forward, Andrews plans on continuing to introduce the world to Eques Pante. The brand was invented out of necessity, and Nahlea’s memory will always live on through this special company.

Find Eques Pante online at equespante.com and Instagram @equespante.

This article about Eques Pante appeared in the May 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Eques Pante: Ingenius Equestrian Underwear appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

In the Horse Illustrated podcast Barn Banter episode 7, hosts Susan Friedland and Raquel Lynn chat with author Sarah Hickner about Thoroughbreds and Jessica Andrews, the creator of Eques Pante—a line of underwear made specifically for equestrians.

Click to listen on mobile.

Listen now to meet Sarah and Jessica. Plus, hear from Cailin Caldwell, Director of the ASPCA Right Horse Program, about the celebration of Adopt a Horse Month.

Title Sponsor: Straight Arrow Family of Brands

Sarah Hickner, author and Thoroughbred aficionado

Sarah Hickner is a lifelong horse-obsessed girl who has found joy in recording some of her crazy experiences for other horse lovers to enjoy. The horse world is one of hard knocks, but Sarah likes to find the good and the lessons in all of it and pass them on to others. Sarah is currently training her horse Danny to compete in this year’s Thoroughbred Makeover by Retired Racehorse Project. Find Sarah’s newly released memoir, Finding Gideon, along with Stories from the Barn Aisle at all major book retailers. Connect with Sarah and check in on Danny’s progress on Instagram @author_sarah_hickner.

Website

Jessica Andrews, creator of Eques Pante

After many years in the saddle, Eques Pante founder Jessica Andrews noticed her knickers were lacking. They didn’t protect. They didn’t support. Having worked in the beauty industry for over 20 years, Jessica has extensive experience helping women feel confident and beautiful. A little red rescue filly and a series of events led to Jessica’s career change and the creation of Eques Pante.

Instagram

Eques Pante website

Adopt a Horse Month

Finally, we talk to Cailin Caldwell, Director of the ASPCA Right Horse Program, about the celebration of Adopt a Horse Month. This May is the third annual recognition of this month, which promotes horse adoption. Cailin talks to us about these three adoptable horses:

Lillian

Now available for adoption, Lillian is a sweet-natured mare who needs an adopter with a soft and gentle approach to horsemanship. She gets along with other horses, stands great for the farrier and even to get a bath, and loads very well. She is best suited for a home where she can be “a pretty pasture unicorn.” Learn more about Lillian here.

Gem

This Paint mare is in search of a partner to complete her love for trail riding and selfies. Don’t judge as she is a little self conscious about it, but Gem does have a slight sway to her back. It does not seem to affect her and she promises to do her ground poles to build up the muscle. Gem is looking for a light rider in terms of size of person and difficulty of trail. And Gem prefers a home where horses each have their separate space for meal time, as she can be protective at feeding time. Learn more about Gem here.

Harbor Angel

This 4-year-old filly never raced, as she retired with a left hind non-displaced medial sesamoid fracture. She has been rehabbed and does have a chip that may come out.

Angel is very kind and very willing. She is quite green but with training from an experienced trainer, she should learn quickly. She is soft in the mouth and is in tune to what her rider is asking, a quick study. She has a lovely trot and canter and is very willing to work and go forward. She will be best suited for flat work: dressage, trails, pleasure, etc. Second Stride will pay Angel’s entry fee to the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover if entered. She will also have a half-off adoption fee to a repeat adopter in good standing. Learn more about Angel here.

Title Sponsor of Barn Banter

We want to thank our Title Sponsor, the Straight Arrow Family of Brands, makers of Mane ‘n Tail, Cowboy Magic & Exhibitor’s, with over 100 years of grooming excellence. For more information about your favorite products, visit straightarrowinc.com and find Straight Arrow Products at a tack shop near you!

In addition to Barn Banter episode 7, you can find all previous episodes of Horse Illustrated’s podcasts here.

The post Barn Banter – Episode 7 from title sponsor Straight Arrow Products appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.