Proudly Introducing: the DUBARRY Longford Boot!

As a longtime friend of the Dubarry team, I am honored and privileged to help give their newest boot a proper US debut. The Longford boot has all of the classic Dubarry elements as the Galway boot, but with a sleeker silhouette and some beautiful new detailing. A double buckle adorns the top, with the signature Dubarry script logo subtly embossed into the smooth leather. The boots, in true Dubarry form, are made in Europe of Dubarry's DryFast-DrySoft™leather and fully lined with GORE-TEX® from bottom to top, making them completely waterproof but also lightweight and breathable. The Black and Walnut color options (shown below) will initially be offered in European sizes 37 to 43 (up to USW 11.5, USM 10) and will retail at $529. Apart from the obvious practical appeal, the boots are simply beautiful.

Dubarry LONGFORD boot in Black.

Dubarry LONGFORD boot in Walnut.

Nothing better embodies the spirit of the Dappled Waistcoat more than Dubarry boots: they are hard wearing, well crafted, but still effortlessly stylish and timeless. I've been steadily wearing Dubarry Galway boots since 2005, and from October through March you really won't see me in anything else. This year they kept me dry through Hurricane Sandy and helped me shovel my driveway out of snow three feet deep during the crazy blizzard in February. Oh, and a little trade secret.... my boots have lasted so long because I take proper care of them! I hose them down if they get muddy or dirty and let them air dry, and I regularly apply Dubarry Leather Cream to the foot part so they don't dry out.

A rainy Galway day in February, paired with black motorcycle jeans and a North Face parka.

For those of you lucky folks who will be attending Rolex Kentucky this year, a limited number of Longford boots will be available for sale at the show, so absolutely stop by the booth and slip a pair on. By the looks of them, you won't want to take them off......... ever. If you're an Instagram user, tag any Dubarry related photos #dubarry #dubarryboots #rk3de #roadtorolex2013 @dubarryofireland @rolexkentucky, and if you want to make me envious you can tag me @aezeum!

As for the rest of us, Dubarry is running an exciting social media contest through the Rolex Event in which one US resident can WIN a pair of Longfords and thereby increase their quality of life a hundredfold. Click here or on the image below for details on the competition!

I may have to wait until the Hampton Classic Horse Show this year to get my hands on a pair, but please believe I will -- in Black -- and I'll spam photos of them on Instagram to make you all insanely jealous until you can't help but get a pair of your own. I dare you to beat me to the punch!

Field Trip: the Great Pennsylvania Adventure!

The Great Pennsylvania Adventure, (or GPA, if you wish), was pretty phenomenal and exciting. As a result, this post is pretty long. There are lots of pictures though, so look at those and scan through my rambling as you please!

After living in Pennsylvania for two and a half years during the time I attended Villanova for my Masters, I haven't once returned back to visit. When I moved home to Long Island in October of 2011, I was very frustrated with Pennsylvania. I hadn't been able to find a job there that I could support myself on, I was far away from my family, and it was perplexing to me to live somewhere that's so hot over the summer without any beaches to go to. It sort of seemed like a lonely, landlocked hell. A year and a half later, I find myself waxing poetic about my time in PA. I miss living down the block from Milkboy Coffee and being able to walk up the street, get a cup of coffee and some food, and sit, people watching in an artsy Laptopistan. I was lucky enough at the time that my other half was willing to move his life down to Pennsylvania and have that adventure with me. He too, had become disenchanted with Pennsylvania and the struggles of starting over somewhere new, without the comfort of family and old friends. We made new friends, though, and we've only realized how important they are to us after so much time being away from them. Last week, we decided it was time to take a mini-vacation and revisit our old haunts along the Main Line and spend some quality time with good friends further south, in Oxford.

yours truly, in heaven.

Our first stop was Villanova, where I fulfilled my Alumni duty of spending money I didn't have in the bookstore. The campus looks wonderful with the many changes they've made to further "beautify" it since I graduated. Check that off the list. Next up we headed to our former home of Ardmore and had lunch at Milkboy Coffee. I was disappointed to not see any of the baristas I remember from when I was a regular there... but alas, times do change. 

PHASE TWO after the jump....

Made in USA Riding Gear and Innovative Equestrian Style

Whether you're a rider or not, equestrian inspired designs are eternally relevant. So as not to alienate non-horsey folks, I'm offering a mixture of technical riding gear made in the USA or by family owned brands alongside some traditional, undeniably good looking pieces of outerwear. Like everything else, a lot of riding gear from respected brands is made in China. Sure, the leather is "English cowhide" or whatever and the materials are their own, but it's confusing to me why their manufacturing has to take place in China, especially given what their retail prices are. I find this problematic, but I'm sure there are   financial/economic reasons for it beyond my understanding. For my part, I try to buy locally made products whenever I can.

Kerri Kent founded the Kerrits brand in 1986, and started making riding apparel in 1991. All of their breeches are manufactured in the USA, and this year they made a commitment to partner with domestic fabric mills and production facilities. In the current global economy it is financially challenging for businesses to manufacture goods in this country. With that in mind, I give a huge "E for Effort" to any brand who acknowledges the need to move production back to our shores while still keeping costs down. What I like best about Kerrits, though, is that their breeches are awesome. I have two pairs of the Flow Rise Performance Tights, (one black, one charcoal), and I don't like riding in anything else. The materials they use are reminiscent of running/biking gear -- very 'outside of the box' for a horsey brand. It really works for them though, and they've been innovative enough to create a line that addresses performance needs unique to the sport while utilizing some unorthodox fabrics/cuts.

Kerrits Flow Rise Performance Tight

Kerrits Power Stretch Full Seat Tight

On my wish list for this winter are their Power Stretch Full Seat Tights. They feature a four-way stretch Polartec fabric that ensures your legs will stay toasty without feeling too hot or bulky. The "GripStretch" full seat is a great and increasingly more popular feature in breeches these days. I haven't tried a full seat out yet but if it helps keep my rear in the saddle I'll definitely be a fan. Reasonably priced, made in the USA, Kerrits breeches get a huge stamp of approval from me. 

Swedish, family owned brand Mountain Horse was founded by Lars Sjosward with the intention of creating a winter riding boot that would keep his daughter's feet warm. From that, an entire line of riding footwear, apparel, and accessories have been created with warmth and utility in mind. His daughter and two sons are now a part of the company, and each contributes something different from their individual areas of expertise. I purchased a pair of their Ice Rider Paddock Boots around 2004 to wear when I worked at the barn in the winter mucking out stalls all day and riding. I still have them, and they still look great. My feet never got wet or cold. I even took them hiking in upstate NY and they performed beautifully. The style has changed quite a bit since then but I'm sure the current version are just as awesome as my "old reliables." 

Mountain Horse Ice Rider Paddock Boots

Mountain Horse Regal Down Jacket

My relationship with winter outerwear is paradoxical: I hate being cold, but I also hate being so bundled up that I feel bulky and restricted. It is truly a struggle to find outerwear that is both warm and relatively low-profile. Mountain Horse's Regal Down jacket uses real duck down, the warmest stuff around, and the outer lining is treated to be water repellent. Huge plus: the coat has two outside pockets AND an inside pocket for your phone. I have on more than one occasion launched my phone into the snow from romping around with it in my pocket, (don't ask...), so that's a huge selling point for me. The high collar/hood combo is perfect for claustrophobic maniacs like myself because it eliminates the need for a bulky scarf. At $210, I'd say the price is pretty on point for a jacket of this caliber made with real down feathers. Remember, "expensive" and "over-priced" are two very different things.

The Ariat brand started out small around 20 years ago and has done a lot to support the sports of both English and Western riding in the US. From humble riding boot roots, they've steadily expanded to making all sorts of other riding and lifestyle gear. I've been getting some heavy use out of my aforementioned Ariat paddock boots, and a perusal of their site today exposed me to the current object of my desire: the Barnsley Fleece Boot.

Ariat Barnsley Fleece Boot

They are fleece lined and waterproof, with spur rests, stirrup-friendly outsoles and stabilizing footbeds for riding. Personally, I wouldn't use these for riding, just because of how handsome they are. I've always craved the warmth and comfort of a quilted, fleece-lined boot, but could never get on board with the sloppy look that most of them have. These are sleek and streamlined, the wintry love child of the classic L.L. Bean boot and my favorite paddocks.

They will be mine. Oh yes, they will be mine. 

AS USUAL anything you see here can likely be found at your friendly local tack shop rather than online from a big retailer. Plus, November 24 is Small Business Saturday, so shop then and show your support!

Kerrits

Mountain Horse

Ariat

Field Trip: Trail Riding!

I'm always pretty antsy to get outside, but the first couple weeks of Fall when you christen your light jackets and sweaters are probably the most intense for me. After a long and stressful work week, my friend Samantha and I decided to go trail riding. Going out in the woods to ride is also a nice break from riding in a ring most of the time. Though our trail guide and companions were admittedly not as great as the last time we went to this particular barn, it was impossible not to enjoy tromping through the woods on horseback.

Ariat Quantum Devon Pro Zip Paddock

Leaves are still pretty green!

Sam riding Phil -- gorgeous Paint!

Post-ride with Tex.

Partially due to the chill, and partly because the last time I rode Western with half-chaps the insides of my knees were sore, I opted to wear my full-length chaps. I haven't worn those since I was in high school, so I was definitely pleased that they still fit. My new-ish Ariat paddock boots are so handsome that I've been wearing them for street purposes, but I decided that I was wasting their functionality by not riding in them. Also -- I don't care if you ride English or Western, trails or lessons, it does not make a difference. WEAR A HELMET. My Charles Owen GR8 has served me very well over the years and I will not get on a horse without it.

While it's easy to order riding gear online from big sites, I always recommend taking a trip to your local tack shop and seeing what they have to offer. If you're on Long Island, the Country Riding Shop in Stony Brook has always been my favorite, but if not, a quick Google search will certainly find you the tack store nearest to you. Shop small and local!