The boss mare’s independence and leadership are what inspired a team of four powerhouse women in the equine industry to develop the nonprofit organization known as Boss Mares, Inc. The organization assists female entrepreneurs by giving them a leg-up in their careers and businesses.

The four women who founded the organization are Anna Morrison, Ph.D., co-founder and president; Kate Bradley Byars, co-founder and secretary; Patti Colbert, co-founder and treasurer; and Ellen Bell, member of board of directors. Each of these women present extensive resumes in the horse industry and connections that run deep. They came together with the same mission and goal of connecting women in agriculture.

The official kick-off of Boss Mares, Inc. took place December 1, 2023, in Weatherford, Texas.

Meet Anna Morrison

Founder Anna Morrison’s passion for horses developed during her childhood in Wisconsin. Anna pursued an education focused on horses first at Colorado State University (CSU) and later at Texas A&M University (TAMU), earning a Bachelor of Science in equine science and agricultural business, a Master of Arts in extension education, and a Ph.D. in higher education administration.

Her career path began in academics, teaching and developing curricula at CSU and TAMU. Later, Morrison served industry member organizations for the American Quarter Horse Association and the National Reined Cow Horse Association. Along the way, she received support and guidance from mentors and industry experts, which furthered her appreciation for just how important it can be to have a leg up.

“When I was going through a transition in my career, I had this feeling that there was a way we could work together to pay our experience forward to other women in the industry,” says Morrison. “Every single one of us who has been involved in the industry has had the help of other women, whether through mentorship, encouragement, or investment, and I thought there was a way we could work together to get those same opportunities to other women.”

Morrison knew who to call when the time came to present a proposal for Boss Mares, Inc. Ellen and Larry Bell have always been a part of charitable organizations, and they have started numerous businesses as well. In South Africa, they are involved with a project that empowers women to live life and provide for their families. Morrison recalls getting through just a few slides in her presentation, and the Bells were ready to kick off the organization.

“The goal is to help young women everywhere,” says Ellen. “We were involved in extreme situations in Africa, but to watch women have the opportunity to better themselves and their businesses and careers, and to learn how to do it properly, we were all in immediately.”

With the Bells’ experience with nonprofits and charitable organizations, they provided Morrison with the connections to begin forming Boss Mares, Inc.

Bringing on Kate Bradley Byars

As Morrison began thinking about who would make up the co-founders and board of directors, a few people came to mind. When Morrison asked Byars and Colbert if they would be interested in helping, they jumped at the opportunity.

Byars has a passion for telling people’s stories and making connections. Writing always came easily to her, and in college at TAMU, Byars pursued a degree in agricultural journalism. She rode through college, competing on the Texas A&M Equestrian Team and on the Quarter Horse circuit. After graduating with a Master of Science in agricultural leadership, education and communications with a focus on photography, Byars joined the Western Horseman magazine staff.

Since 2010, she’s worked extensively in the western performance horse industry as a writer and photographer. Working for western equine and lifestyle publications is Byars’ specialty, and she especially enjoys connecting with people in the industry.

“Boss Mares, Inc. is a passion project, and the mission and focus is something we all can easily get behind [to] help female business owners in the western industry,” says Byars.

Patti Colbert’s Extensive Experience

Patti Colbert’s resume in the horse industry and connection to the western lifestyle began through watching television. After moving to Texas in the mid-1970s, Colbert worked at horse barns and volunteered as a 4-H leader. She fell in love with the production of equine events.

Colbert began at the Texas Quarter Horse Association, managing the Quarter Horse racing and show industry. Her next move was to the AQHA, where she was responsible for raising millions of dollars for the American Quarter Horse Foundation’s scholarship, equine research, and preservation programs.

She then opened her own firm and worked with clients like the American Angus Association, the American Paint Horse Association, TAMU and more. She and her team took on the management of the Mustang Heritage Foundation, and in 2007 created the Extreme Mustang Makeover events, placing thousands of previously wild Bureau of Land Management Mustangs into private care.

Colbert received the 2014 American Horse Publications Innovator of the Year Award, the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Fern Sawyer Award, and was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Currently, she is on the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame board of directors and serves as advisory board chair for the Ride on Center for Kids.

“I know that women are the decision makers in the majority of this industry,” says Colbert. “I think more than 76 percent of the members of the AQHA are female. The reality of it is that women are the backbone of the industry in the agriculture and western lifestyles, and we need to help one another to continue to grow and be relevant and current.”

Lead the Herd Workshops

Boss Mares, Inc. focuses on five pillars: accounting and finance support, continuing education, leadership and career coaching, legal counsel, and marketing expertise. The organization will host Lead the Herd workshops to meet western women where they are already gathering. At these workshops, the keynote speakers are experts in the fields of each pillar.

The purpose of each workshop is to bring powerful expertise from both inside and outside the western industry in a setting that supports high-impact learning and open dialogue between presenters and attendees.

“We are here to provide a leg up to cowgirl entrepreneurs in the professional and agriculture industry,” says Morrison. “We do that by providing access to business resources at our workshops and by providing grants through our grant application process that help women invest in and advance their small businesses or invest in themselves and their career through continuing education.”

The first workshop was held at the Art of the Cowgirl in Arizona from January 19-20, 2024. With more workshops in the future of Boss Mares, Inc., the organization offered grants through an application on their website through March 31, 2024, for people in the agriculture industry.

“I hope that the women who have seen it now and have heard the speakers will want to be a part of it by giving financial aid or by participating in grants, whatever fits with their lifestyle,” says Ellen. “I hope they will be encouraged and say, ‘You know what, I can do this, this is something I’ve wanted to do, and I’m not going to let something get in my way because it is available to me.’ That is what’s exciting and what I hope to see in the future for us.”

This article about Boss Mares, Inc. appeared in the May 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Heather Wallace: Tell me about the first time you and Connie met.

Allison Malenfant: Our husbands work in the New York entertainment industry and often collaborate. We met occasionally, and Connie told me about her equestrian background. I always wanted to ride, but had no exposure. Connie agreed to teach me, and we became friends through weekly lessons in Brooklyn. And double dates!

HW: Were horses a childhood obsession or an adult passion?

AM: I took one lesson a week while working a corporate job in the athletic retail industry. Once I left to start Redingote, I increased my riding two days a week. It’s a slippery slope, of course. I bought my first horse in 2020 and now have two. I hunter pace and fox hunt, but also travel and compete. It has become a lifestyle.

Connie has horses in her blood. Her father was a Standardbred trainer in Monmouth County, New Jersey. She started hunter/jumper lessons and eventually had her own horses at home. She was very successful in riding and competing by age 16. She now owns and runs a small private facility in Colts Neck, N.J.

HW: What sparked the idea of Redingote?

AM: Connie owned a vintage men’s insulated coverall she found at a yard sale. She loved the functionality of a one-piece. She could wear it while teaching or working in the barn, and then take it off to ride. However, it lacked waterproofing and enough pockets. Plus, the men’s shape didn’t flatter.

People asked her about it wherever she went, loving the practicality or thinking she looked like a mechanic. There was an untapped market for a similar product that was warm, waterproof, and designed for a woman’s body. She shared her idea with me. I knew about the retail industry and the development of products, so I suggested a partnership.

HW: How did you come up with the name Redingote for your business?

AM: A redingote is a fitted outer coat with a cutaway front. It’s a French derivative of the English phrase “riding coat” from the 18th century. We came across this word while trying to name our brand, and it was a perfect fit, since we were reinventing the riding coat for the 21st century rider!

HW: What was the first step in launching your brand?

AM: Nailing a product we believed in was the first step. There was no brand if the idea didn’t work!

We started working on the idea in early 2017, sourcing an outerwear manufacturer that would work with a niche startup brand and develop prototypes for a year. There were many changes with the focus on flattering style but offering warmth and movement. We tested several levels of insulation to find the happy place between staying warm without bulk.

HW: What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?

AM: The horse industry is traditional, and people are skeptical about new products. A technical performance coverall for women was a completely new idea.

We are a small, self-funded business. Marketing was and is very grassroots. We wear our jumpsuits, driving to barns and horse shows to pass out flyers. It was fun to see the idea catching on. We’d sell one to somebody in one barn, and then their barn mates would order.

Marketing a business our size in a niche market is still a challenge, but our brand recognition has grown wonderfully!

HW: How do you work as successful partners?

AM: Business partnerships are like marriages, and each person has different strengths. I think this has been the foundation of our partnership. We’re very different. I am hyper-organized with a retail background. Connie is a dreamer with an equestrian background. I am better at project management. Connie has a sales and marketing brain.

We agree with a lot of things, but we navigate any disagreements. I think we’ve learned a lot about each other over the years—just like a marriage!

HW: Have the challenges changed over the years?

AM: They just get bigger! I say that with a sense of humor, but it’s true. The bigger the business, the bigger the challenges. The challenges stay the same (i.e. marketing, staying competitive in a growing industry, funding, supply chain, et cetera) but the scale grows.

HW: How has your business evolved?

AM: It’s amazing to look back on the way Redingote has grown. Our winter insulated jumpsuit is still our No. 1 product, and new customers are discovering it all the time. We are always innovating. Redingote has launched winter outerwear separates, a schooling collection, rainwear, and our signature one-piece for men and kids. We have a new scrim jacket coming out this spring so we can stay protected in the summer while still enjoying short sleeves.

We’ve even added another brand to our portfolio, acquiring FITS Riding, a beloved breeches company, in November 2022.

HW: Where do you see Redingote going?

AM: We have a big vision! Our highest concentration of customers is the Northeast U.S. English market, where we live. Ultimately, we have some exciting projects and collaborations in development. We plan to expand across all equestrian disciplines, markets, locations, and into other sports—we have many clients who use our outerwear for skiing, sailing, fishing, hiking, camping and more.

This article about Redingote appeared in the May 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Her love for horses never faded even into adulthood. After Genther’s husband retired from the Coast Guard in 2001, the family decided to call Florida home, relocating to be near both of their parents with their two children, Emily and Kyle.

Genther set her sights on horse-friendly Ocala, Fla. A dressage rider, Genther competes at the FEI level with Hector, an imported Lusitano from Brazil with a “puppy personality.” The pair is working on advancing their skills enough to show at the Grand Prix level.

By day, Genther supports her equestrian lifestyle as a full-time oncology nurse practitioner. And now, she’s also an entrepreneur.

Inventing Something New

When the pandemic hit in 2020, Genther and her adult daughter, Emily, started making their own sugar cubes for their horses. Covid was causing issues with the supply chain, and there wasn’t a cube in sight for the horses.

Hector is a notoriously a picky drinker. When planning to travel to a horse show, Genther was concerned when she saw that temperatures were going to drop. It felt like a perfect storm for colic. She considered scratching from the show.

When a friend suggested adding electrolytes to their sugar cubes, the mother-daughter duo decided to give it a try. She passed out a surplus of extra cubes to fellow riders, also concerned about water intake at the show. The horses drank.

The next day, riders started approaching Genther, requesting more sugar cubes and wanting to know where to purchase them.

“Then it just kind of took on a life of its own,” she says. “We did some research and didn’t see anything out there that was similar, so we started making them in our kitchen at 4 a.m. before work.”

The cubes were poured into molds before the sun came up and distributed into tubs after work, ready to sell.

“We started selling them locally to tack stores, and an owner of a store at the World Equestrian Center [in Ocala] gave us a big break,” says Genther. “The cubes were a hit. The motto for our products is ‘Horse treats with purpose,’ because we all want to reward our horses, but we want it to be with something that’s going to benefit them.”

Meeting a Demand

Once the electrolyte cubes gained popularity, Genther realized her kitchen was no longer going to be able to make enough for their customers. She was encouraged by fellow riders and friends to keep the business going, ultimately starting her quest for mass production.

After reaching out to several candy and pharmaceutical companies about making the sugar cubes, it was proving to be a daunting task. The goal was always to create a human-grade product, fed to horses. As soon as a manufacturer heard the product was for a horse, they said no.

After striking out, Genther connected with Courtney Varney, DVM, an FEI veterinary delegate and competitor, who has competed through the Grand Prix level in dressage. Impressed by the product, Varney helped formulate the recipe into a cold, compressed form—a sugar cube made into a fine powder and compressed, like an Altoid.

Genther’s creation, officially monikered Funky Unicorn Treats, finally found a medical director and a pharmaceutical company in the United States to make their treats. The treats are available in three flavors: apple, banana and mint.

“Every single cube has a precise amount [of electrolyte] in it, so there’s no question about the dosage,” says Genther. “It’s made the same way you would create Tylenol.”

Wholesale accounts have been quickly picking up Funky Unicorn Treats, and direct online sales are steadily growing as customers begin to learn about them.

“Every opportunity I get to educate people and tell people about them, I do,” Genther says. “I’m a horrible salesperson, but because I know they’re going to help horses, it’s easy. It’s something I believe in, so I can do it.”

Emily helps with the business when it comes to social media, and she enjoys interacting with new customers at events. Occasionally, Genther’s husband Doug helps with shipping or some heavy lifting, making it a family affair.

A Rewarding Product

Genther’s unplanned journey to create electrolyte cubes has brought on a new level of learning and challenges. But she loves hearing about how much this product helps her customers’ horses.

“I’ve had veterinary schools tell me that they’ve ended up with our product somehow, and it’s really made a difference for the horses in their care,” Genther says. “That’s the goal for us; that’s everything. I did it for my horse to make sure he was safe and happy.”

Follow along on Instagram @funkyunicorn_treats and Facebook (Funky Unicorn Treats), or learn more at FunkyUnicornTreats.com.

This article about Renee Genther’s Funy Unicorn Treats business appeared in the November/December 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Chanel Rhodes is a first-generation equestrian in her family. Growing up in the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, Rhodes didn’t have access to horses in the city. However, she always dreamed of owning a horse one day.

As a young girl, Rhodes didn’t see Black cowboys or cowgirls being represented on TV or in magazines. She asked her mom, Valerie Griffin, if horseback riding was something she could do. Griffin encouraged her daughter to pursue horses, cultivating Rhodes’ love and passion for the equine industry.

As a busy single mom, Griffin instilled a hard work ethic in Rhodes and took her to riding lessons sporadically throughout her youth.

Finally, Horses

Rhodes spent her entire childhood dreaming of and praying for a horse. When she turned 20, she began a serious search, determined to find a way to be around horses without having a lot of money or resources.

She began her journey and became a working student for Cliff Salter, a trainer in Long Beach, Calif. Under Salter’s guidance, Rhodes learned about training, horsemanship and horse care.

After seven long, dedicated years and with the help of her mom, Rhodes finally purchased her first horse, a dependable bay gelding named Cha-Cha. Fast forward another five years, and she’s currently a working student for a hunter/jumper program at Mountain View Farms South in Anaheim, Calif., with trainer Jasmine Wheatley.

Rhodes currently has two horses: Lady, a 16-year-old Paint mare, and Gabriel, an 11-year-old OTTB who belongs to her mom, whom Rhodes inspired to ride.

The Art Project

In 2019 during Black History Month, social media and other news outlets shifted the focus to Black cowboys and Black equestrians in the industry.

“I noticed a lot of people doing a lot of different projects with their horses during Black History Month,” says Rhodes. “That’s kind of the time when the media started to shine a light on Black cowboys and we finally got discovered.”

She felt inspired to try her own project. Creative by nature, she had been doing her own hair for years. Rhodes made a prototype wig for Lady to match her flashy tobiano colors and emphasize her beautiful mane.

Initially, the wig didn’t work how Rhodes envisioned, but her fiancé (now husband) Andrew Garces wanted to capture a video of the pair together. She called this art project “Afrocentric Pony.”

Shortly after releasing the video, the Young Black Equestrians podcast (now called Black in the Saddle) contacted Rhodes about coming on as a guest. When she was asked about her plans for her creation, Rhodes’ initial reaction was that this wasn’t a business. But that burning question fueled something in her, propelling her to push forward into the unknown.

Meet Mane Tresses

Product development for the hair piece proved to be challenging and frustrating for Rhodes. If it was going to be marketed and sold, it had to be perfect.

“Every time I wanted to try the wig, I’d have to drive 10 miles down the street to the barn and wait for my product to fail,” says Rhodes. “And then I’d go back home to the drawing board. It became very tedious; I resented it for a little bit.”

When Covid came along and put Rhodes out of work, it gave her unexpected time to focus on product development for Mane Tresses. A professional manufacturer was unaffordable, but Rhodes’ mom bought her a sewing machine, so she began to watch YouTube videos and learned how to sew her wigs.

After going through about 50 prototypes, the result is a flexible, colorful, synthetic hair piece that seamlessly attaches to the mane, tail or forelock. Mane Tresses officially launched in 2021.

Being a Role Model

Despite all the roadblocks and struggles along the way, Rhodes maintains a positive, can-do attitude and encourages anyone with a dream to make it a reality.

“Ignore those outside voices,” she says. “If you have a passion for something, that’s what life is all about. If you have something in your heart that you love, you should work toward it. Start that business, get it off the ground, and never give up, because you’re going to fail 100 times. But those failures just propel you forward.”

Along the way, Rhodes has had the Hollywood spotlight shown on her entrepreneurial spirit. She was on “Access Daily” with Mario Lopez, “Tell The Truth” on ABC, and a commercial for Facebook.

While these are notable highlights, she says her proudest moments come from positive feedback from customers. She ships worldwide and is always humbled when she hears from a mother or grandmother who has a child that looks up to Rhodes as a role model. Those are the moments that make it all worthwhile.

For more information on Mane Tresses, visit www.manetresses.com or @manetressescc on Instagram and Facebook. Follow along with Chanel at @cowgirl_chanel on Instagram.

This article about Chanel Rhodes and her business Mane Tresses appeared in the July 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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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!

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Painter began her career with leather in London, England, where she became a Master Saddler. After an apprenticeship in Perthshire, Scotland, at which time she began Clever with Leather, Claire relocated to the United States in 1992.

Leather Goods on the Racetrack to Horse Shows

In Kentucky, Painter began selling handmade halters, focusing on the bustling Thoroughbred racing industry. She discovered that the business was very seasonal, and her customers disappeared in the winter.

To make Clever with Leather a year-round business without leaving Kentucky—she had a young son at the time so she couldn’t travel much—she needed to expand. Painter expanded her business to include English saddlery. She didn’t want it to be too broad in order to make sure she had time to produce quality work that kept her customers happy.

Her focus then began shifting towards sport horses instead of racing, and Painter started producing padded halters. She then made it her goal to create things that made people happy in addition to being practical, and began to find joy in her work again.

“If you repair something and you make it look nice again, it makes people happy,” she says. “If you create something for a person’s horse, or for them, they are happy. It’s a happy purchase.”

A Leather Niche in the Equine World

Painter then began to use the quiet season in winter to build up her inventory and website so people knew what she had to offer. She says that slowly but surely, it began paying off.

She relies on her clients to help figure out the details on her items to make them the ideal product.

“I’ve got a lot of great customers who know their stuff,” says Painter. When developing one of her most popular items, a neck strap, she had sponsored eventing rider Jenn O’Neill test out the prototype.

Painter says that working with people who know what they’re doing and listening to what the customers want helps ensure she is producing functional products and learning from the riders who use them.

The eventing community has been the cornerstone of Clever With Leather for many years. Painter sets up a booth at Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event every year to showcase and sell her products, and in all her years of being a vendor, she says she has never noticed anything being stolen. She believes this is due to her customers truly valuing the work she puts into her products.

“They like the fact that I’m a small business and I enjoy the business now that I’ve found my niche,” Painter says. “I’ve found my people. They see the value in a handmade purse. They don’t bring me another purse to copy. They want my version. They see the value in what I do. I feel really lucky.”

She says that the Kentucky Three-Day Event always “feels like doing business with old friends. It doesn’t feel like business.” People come back to her booth year after year. Often, people come back just to say hello and tell her that their previously purchased products are still going strong.

Focusing on the Goal

In college, Painter studied leather goods manufacturing and design before beginning the saddlery program. This, in addition to her artistic eye and listening to what her customers want, has allowed her to expand her business further, making wearable items such as chaps and purses.

With the growth of her company, Painter had to learn how to streamline her business.

“I used to do everything,” she says. “I never said no to a job. Now if someone wants something I don’t focus on, I send them to someone else. I’ve narrowed down what I do.”

Painter sees herself staying in Kentucky long-term. Her son is in his second year of college and once he graduates, she likes the idea of possibly starting to ride again.

“I love living here,” she says. “I love the community in Lexington. Everyone sort of knows everyone. It’s quite a safety net.”

Currently the neck straps, made to provide a grab strap for riders, are Painter’s best-selling products. While other companies have produced similar products since she came out with her version, she says that since her customers are loyal and she offers a variety of color options and a quality product, her neck straps keep selling.

“Eventers are loyal,” she says. “They always tell each other they need to get a Clever with Leather neck strap.”

Reputation for a Reason

Painter’s halters are still a huge hit, as are the dog collars. Her products have a reputation for lasting a long time and being functional for years.

“That’s the good and bad side,” she says. “The products last for years, but thankfully people are always getting another horse, and they are always getting another dog.”

For other women looking to go out and start their own business, Painter advises not to be afraid.

“People told me not to go out on my own and start a business here, but it’s worked,” she says. “If you believe in what you do, and you love what you do, don’t be afraid to give it a go.”

Check out Clever with Leather at www.cleverwithleather.com.

This article about Clever with Leather’s leather goods for horses appeared in the March 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Leah Kaufmann’s horse obsession developed at an early age. She grew up in Seattle, but her mother passed on a passion for horses, driving Kaufmann to her weekly Sunday riding lesson starting at age 6.

Kaufmann dabbled with dressage, but ultimately became hooked on eventing from her time spent in Pony Club. Those early experiences bonded Kaufmann to the equestrian lifestyle, carrying her admiration into adulthood.

The T-Shirt That Started Her Equestrian Brand

Like most new ideas, Dapplebay was launched when Kaufmann discovered a void in the market. She was on a quest to find cute horse shirts representing her favorite disciplines.

Creative by nature, she always loved to draw horses and make crafts, even before she received her degree in design at the University of Washington for visual communication design. She used her expert eye and whipped up a t-shirt that read “Live Free & Jump XC” with a horse jumping across the center.

Kaufmann casually posted the shirt on Facebook, which received an explosion of comments. The now-retired design was quickly featured online in Eventing Nation, giving Kaufmann exposure to like-minded customers. Based on the feedback, she began screen-printing more shirts, and Dapplebay was born in 2011.

A Hobby Turned Career

Professionally, Kaufmann had a successful career as a designer working with a marketing agency. She maintained her professional job in the beginning, while Dapplebay was on the side. She put energy into it as she felt like it over the years.

“It was a creative outlet that allowed me to have something that was my own outside of client work,” Kaufmann explains. Fast forward to the pandemic and the world changed, including Dapplebay. Kaufmann shifted her focus on becoming a profitable business instead of just a fun, creative venture.

With a change in mindset and sales, Dapplebay was thriving, allowing Kaufmann to leave her full-time job behind.

“2020 was a great year for e-commerce, and I grew a lot without intending to,” she says. “I took that momentum as an opportunity to decide that this could be my full-time thing.”

Community & Connection

While Kaufmann spends most of her time working solo, she enjoys having the opportunity to connect with customers whenever she sets up a booth at an event.

Having a booth at The Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover in 2021 was a career high and emotionally moving weekend for Kaufmann. She promotes retired racehorses with her apparel and owns two off-track Thoroughbreds, Pie and Ranger.

Dapplebay also made its first appearance at Land Rover Kentucky in 2022, which was another special moment of growth for the brand.

“I’ve met so many amazing women from having this little pop-up tent with cute shirts,” she says. “I quickly realized this wasn’t just about the t-shirts, it was about meeting people.”

In 2022 Kaufmann also launched The Barn Aisle, a Facebook group, with the intention of being a supportive online space for customers and fellow equestrians. The group celebrates a love for horses and creates a dialog online.

“People post when they have a great ride, when they have a question, when they’re struggling—the way the group responds is incredible,” she says.

The Brand’s Popular Equestrian Products

Dapplebay offers a unique selection of apparel, accessories and lifestyle products from stickers to journals. As a designer, coming up with ideas for new products is the exciting part of the job.

Kaufmann focuses on creating unique prints, patterns her customers can’t find anywhere else, and sizes for all equestrians. Recently, matching sets, including saddle pads and bonnets, have become popular.

“My goal is to create things that people love that they can take into their own lives and wear with their own style,” she explains.

When Kaufmann isn’t busy working, she spends time with the horses she keeps at home in a beautiful barn her husband built. Her dedication to the brand, her horses and a positive mindset has allowed her business to thrive.

“I think the hardest thing is remembering to enjoy it and enjoy the process,” she says. “I’ve been so caught up in working hard, I think it’s easy to miss the journey. Sometimes I wake up and I look around and realize we live on the property I dreamed of 10 years ago.”

Shop Dapplebay here.

This article about equestrian brand Dapplebay appeared in the January/February 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The Rise of Equestrian Brand Dapplebay appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Inspiration & Action

Growing up, Barratt moved several times. Each new home offered her mother an opportunity to redecorate. Barratt always recalls being captivated by the prints and fabrics selected for curtains and trimmings. Fast forward to adulthood, when Barratt married and settled down in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, with her husband, Tom.

Whenever she browsed through equestrian clothing and apparel at a tack store, she felt like something was missing. She’d envision bold printed collars and vivid colors. Barratt didn’t have a background working with fashion or fabric, but one day she expressed her ideas to her husband.

“My husband gave me $500 and bought me a new computer to give it a shot,” she says. “I set off to do what was in my head and try to make it come to fruition, which was a total trip because I didn’t know anything about clothing fabric.”

Initially, finding the right clothing manufacturer for her equestrian-inspired vision wasn’t easy. Many companies wouldn’t talk to or help Barratt since she didn’t understand the manufacturing language or have a design background. There were a lot of clicks and hang ups as the search persisted.

“Once you think about something like starting a business, it takes on a life of its own and becomes an obsession,” says Barratt. “You eat, sleep and breathe bringing something out of thin air and actually making it happen.”

One day, she began looking into companies making men’s form-fitting shirts for executives. She finally found a company online that agreed to make her samples, only to realize they were based out of Thailand. Determined to create the clothing she had envisioned, she jumped through frustrations of language barriers and communication to bring her shirts to life.

“I ended up having 18 samples made because I didn’t know anything about manufacturing clothes,” says Barratt.

Armed with her gorgeous new sample shirts, Middy N’ Me’s first debut into the world was at the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic. Her friends excitedly invited Barratt to be a vendor when a booth turned up empty.

“I got a mannequin, I ironed my shirts, and I went,” she says. “I didn’t even bring anything to write with. It never dawned on me that anyone would actually buy my shirts. We had a very successful show, and that’s how it all started.”

Meet Middy

Middy N’ Me is appropriately named after Middy, Barratt’s beloved Belgian/Quarter Horse mare. Middy is boarded close to home at a large estate in Hunting Valley. It’s the perfect property for the fox hunting duo to spend their days riding through the expansive acreage.

“I bought her sight unseen, and she didn’t even have a name,” she says. “I named her Middleburg because I’m a fox hunter and I love Middleburg, Va. My husband started calling her Middy.”

Middy is a beautiful buckskin who happens to be a PMU rescue and an unexpected heart horse; Barratt describes her as an angel.

“She had never been handled and was very aloof and distant—emotionally wounded,” she says. “But she and I became very good friends, and she’s the horse of a lifetime. She’s taken care of me. There are no words to describe how much joy she has given me.”

Building a Brand

Middy N’ Me celebrated 10 years of business last summer. The brand has evolved and grown over the years. Initially, Barratt thought she would be designing shirts for women to ride in, but it turned out, women want to wear the shirts in everyday life, too.

“Equestrian style is a universal desire—people like it—it’s very pretty,” she says. “We don’t position ourselves as an equestrian company, but a lot of equestrians wear our shirts.”

Barratt’s true passion shines when she’s designing behind a computer screen. She loves fuchsia, kiwi green, turquoise, yellow and bright colors paired with ginghams and solids.

Every shirt, skirt or dress is made to order. The fit is an important part of the style and overall look. Every shirt is cut, sewn and made in the United States. After Kimberly’s wild ride making samples, she was able to find the factory in America she had searched for to produce her clothing.

Kimberly’s days are spent designing, keeping in contact with her factory, working with customers, and tackling her never-ending to-do list.

“It’s not for the faint hearted, but I love every minute of it.”

◆ Middy N’ Me website
◆ Middy N’ Me Instagram (@middynme)
◆ Middy N’ Me Facebook

This article about Middy N’ Me’s success in creating equestrian clothing and beyond appeared in the September 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Middy N’ Me: Equestrian Clothing and Beyond appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

I’m Annelise Klepper. I’m a 15-year-old international-level Junior dressage rider from Ohio and co-founder of Annie’s Equestrienne Apparel. I design show clothing, schooling wear, and accessories.

The idea for the business started as I delved more into the horse world and realized the kinds of clothes I wanted to wear just didn’t exist for kids. As the business progressed, I think that still rings true today.

I often design for what I would want to wear, knowing that those clothes would attract others like me who were searching for something unique that resonated with their own sense of style.

The fun, colorful breeches that hallmarked the earlier days of Annie’s Equestrienne Apparel were something completely different, which definitely set us apart and attracted an amazing group of customers. We made it a priority
to maintain our close relationship with these customers by staying a boutique brand. In other words, you can only find our pieces in our store. I think it was these two factors that helped establish Annie’s Equestrienne Apparel as a fresh, fun, and up-and-coming brand.

I started the business to fulfill the void of cute riding wear available for kids, and as I’ve gotten older, the company has grown up too. Now I primarily design in adult sizes, but I still try to keep the unique and fresh designs that characterized the brand from the very beginning.

Riding Louis

I’ve been fortunate to have some fantastic horses through the years, getting my start in the pony division before progressing to horses. I’m currently riding Happy Texas Moonlight (aka “Louis”), my Oldenburg gelding. We’ve been partners for almost three years, but it still doesn’t feel real that I get the privilege of riding such a talented, kind-hearted, and ginormous horse (he’s 18 hands!).

These last few years have been a whirlwind of exciting opportunities. Louis and I won our first international medals at the North American Youth Championships (NAYC) in 2019. I was the youngest rider in the Junior division, and we won gold in the individual and freestyle classes. I also helped my team secure a silver in that same competition.

Louis and I continued our dressage competitions together in Wellington, Fla., and we were accepted into the U.S. Emerging Athlete Program. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, some of our show plans were derailed, but this season, we hope to pick up where we left off and venture into Prix St. George and Intermediare, along with hopefully qualifying for NAYC and Festival of Champions in the Junior division in 2021.

A New Focus

While it was certainly disappointing not being able to compete as much as we would’ve liked to this past year, the extra time in quarantine gave me the opportunity to develop lots of ideas and exciting plans for the business. I designed a new collection for Annie’s to raise spirits and promote health and positivity in this difficult time.

“Annie’s All Day” was my next step in our company as it continues to mature. I carefully curated items that meld together the equestrian lifestyle and wellbeing, from crystal-infused water bottles to breeches that fit like yoga pants.

I’m very passionate about health and horses, so it was exciting to reflect that in this new phase of the company. I knew exactly what I wanted our products to be in order to accommodate the hard work and long hours the equestrian life requires. I want my clothes to help keep people confident and comfortable throughout their busy days.

What’s Next

Between school, Annie’s Equestrienne Apparel, and my own competition goals, I know I’ll stay on my toes. But I love the fast-paced schedule I’ve grown accustomed to in Florida. This season I’ll be looking toward my future plans.

I, Annelise Klepper, want to continue taking Annie’s Equestrienne Apparel in exciting new directions, coming up with ideas for future products and designs that reflect who I am, what I love, and what makes my customers happy. I’m so excited to find out what this year brings, and no matter what COVID-esque curveballs I’m thrown, I know I’ll have my passion for horses and creativity to keep me grounded.

This article about Annelise Klepper and Annie’s Equestrienne Apparel appeared in the Spring 2021 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Annelise Klepper Talks About Her Annie’s Equestrienne Apparel appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Lucy, age 14, Libby, age 11, and Sophie Nelson, age 6, are three horse-loving sisters who dreamed up APO for a homeschool assignment. They were tasked with inventing a company and writing a business plan in order to learn what it takes to run a business. But the sisters took it a step further and made APO into reality, launching their online T-shirt shop in June 2017.

Going into Business for American Pony Outfitters

APO’s products feature unique horse-themed designs with fun graphics and slogans. They’re designed to be comfortable for wearing in the saddle and around the barn, as well as in everyday life.

Lucy’s favorite design is the camo pony T-shirt. Libby’s sports the words, “Now watch me whip/Watch me neigh neigh,” inside the company’s horse-head logo. Sophie’s favorite features the slogan, “I like to stirrup trouble.”

One of the company’s current best sellers is a pink T-shirt with a simple but unmistakably equestrian graphic featuring two crossed crops, a riding boot, helmet, horseshoe, and the APO logo.

The Nelsons had help perfecting their designs. They worked with a team of professional designers and found inspiration in photos and magazines.

Selecting a name for the business was a joint effort from all three sisters. They brainstormed ideas together over the course of several weeks while riding in the car. They came up with American Pony Outfitters one day on the way to the barn. They all agreed it was exactly what they wanted in a name.

“We liked ‘American’ because it’s patriotic, and ‘outfitters’ because it sounds rugged, which reflects the equestrian lifestyle.”

Full of Surprises

While the creative parts of running APO are the most fun, this former school assignment is still a learning experience. The Nelsons say the thing that surprised them the most about running a real business was how much time is devoted to accounting.

“We’ve learned to make deposits, take payments, balance the account, and track inventory. These are not our favorite jobs, but we realize they’re important tasks when running a business.”

The sisters use the profits from APO to help offset the costs of their own horses and ponies and their equestrian endeavors. Lucy events with her Andalusian/Thoroughbred gelding, Novio. Libby rides a versatile mixed-breed pony named Gabe, and Sophie is learning the ropes with Chex, a Welsh Pony the girls describe as “the most kind and gentle pony,” who even gives hugs out in the field!

The Nelsons are involved in Pony Club and love all kinds of riding, but focus on eventing and fox hunting the most.

Running a business is time-consuming. Lucy works when she can around her school schedule, and Libby and Sophie are still homeschooled, so business tasks are integrated into their assignments. They do it all for the love of horses and ponies, and they still find time to ride before or after school almost every day.

Check out APO’s products at americanponyoutfitters.com, and follow them on Instagram at @apoutfitters.

This article originally appeared in the March/April 2018 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Equine Entrepreneurs: Pony Style appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.