From professional showjumping to designing riding clothes, here's why I'm inviting you to see a little more of life behind EQUEENE.
If you've ever wondered what actually goes into running an equestrian clothing brand, I've decided it's about time I showed you!
I'm Kat, the founder of EQUEENE Equestrian, an independent UK riding clothing brand that I started five years ago after spending most of my working life around horses.
For years, I've shared our finished collections, lovely product photos and riding outfits. But there's a whole other side of EQUEENE that you don't really get to see.
The samples, the decisions, the testing, the things that don't quite go to plan, and all the ordinary everyday jobs that happen between launching new products.
So I've decided to start bringing you along for a bit more of it, starting with weekly YouTube vlogs!
From Professional Showjumping to Equestrian Clothing
Before starting EQUEENE, my life revolved around horses.
I spent years working professionally in the equestrian industry, from grooming for international showjumpers to running my own competition livery yard and producing horses.
And if you've spent any amount of time working with horses, you'll know your riding clothes get put through a LOT.
Long days at the yard, schooling, competing, mucking out, getting caught in the rain... and somehow still wanting to look reasonably presentable by the end of it all!
I always felt there should be more riding clothes that combined the technical comfort of modern sportswear with the smart, flattering look of traditional equestrian clothing.
Because I didn't want to choose between looking good and being comfortable enough to actually ride.
That's where the idea for EQUEENE came from.
What Actually Goes Into Developing Riding Clothes?
One thing I really want to share more of is how our products come together.
When you see a new pair of riding breeches or a technical training jacket on our website, you're seeing the finished result.
What you don't see is everything that's happened before that.
Choosing colours, reviewing samples, checking how fabrics feel, thinking about the fit, testing pieces in the saddle and deciding which details are actually useful.
And having spent so many years riding, I can be ridiculously picky about things that probably seem quite insignificant to anyone who doesn't own a horse!
A waistband that feels fine when you're standing up might be uncomfortable after half an hour in the saddle.
A top might look lovely in photos but ride up every time you move.
And a jacket needs to be comfortable enough to actually school in, not just walk around the yard looking nice.
Those are exactly the sorts of things I think about when choosing products for EQUEENE.
Take our Classic Riding Breeches, for example. I wanted that smarter, more traditional breeches look, but with the stretch and comfort that we've all come to expect from modern riding clothing.
It's that balance between practicality, fit and style that I want EQUEENE to be known for.
Explore our Women's Classic Riding Breeches
Why I've Decided to Share More Behind the Scenes
I've always wanted EQUEENE to feel like more than just another riding clothing brand.
And I think part of that is letting you get to know the person behind it.
Not just seeing a nice product photograph, but understanding why we've chosen certain styles, what we're working on next and what goes into developing the clothing.
I'm also really interested in hearing what other riders actually want.
What annoys you about riding breeches? What would make your favourite baselayer even better? Are there particular colours or styles you struggle to find?
Because as much as I have my own opinions (and believe me, I have plenty 😂), EQUEENE isn't just about what I like wearing.
It's about creating practical, flattering riding clothes that other equestrians genuinely want to reach for.
And the more I can involve you in that process, the better.
Come Along for Our Weekly Equestrian Vlogs
So, I've decided to pick up the camera and start sharing weekly videos over on YouTube.
There'll be plenty of behind-the-scenes EQUEENE content, but also lots of normal horsey life.
I'm still very much a rider first, and horses are a huge part of why EQUEENE exists in the first place.
You can expect everything from product development and photoshoot days to training, yard life and the occasional bit of chaos!
In our first weekly vlog, I'm taking you along for a content day, showing you our new EQUEENE socks and having a look at a new body warmer sample that we're testing.
It's a little glimpse into the things that happen before new products ever make it onto the website.
Watch Our First Weekly Vlog
Subscribe to EQUEENE on YouTube
A Brand Built Around Real Riders
If you're new here, welcome!
EQUEENE is a UK equestrian clothing brand created for riders who want their clothing to work just as hard as they do.
Whether you're out competing, schooling after work, hacking at the weekend or spending your entire day at the yard, I want our clothing to be something you genuinely feel good wearing.
And if you've been supporting EQUEENE for a while, thank you. I really hope you'll enjoy seeing a bit more of what happens behind the scenes.
Five years into building this brand, there's still so much I want to do, and I'd love to bring you along for the next chapter.
So come and say hello, have a watch of the vlog, and let me know what you'd like to see more of.
And most importantly, if there's something you'd love to see from an equestrian clothing brand, tell me!
Kat x
Founder, EQUEENE Equestrian
