It’s exciting when you come across a brand and their product is just as wonderful as the people who run the business. I had an immediate connection with SoCali Equestrian after just a few interactions with the company’s lovely co-owners Erin Whitmore and Nancy Choy. So, it’s not too surprising that their love for the equestrian sport and horses comes through in their products.
Where to start. Well, a little background on this small but mighty women owned online equestrian boutique. It all started two years ago when two friends based in southern California decided there needed to be a more affordable provider of higher quality tack within the industry. Nancy and Erin started SoCali Equestrian in early 2019 off of the idea that every rider out there should have access to beautiful and affordable tack that makes them feel good and proud regardless of budget. Thus, SoCali Equestrian was born. A re-seller at first, the SoCali Equestrian brand has grown and this 100% self funded niche venture is now in the process of launching their own line of halters, bridles and limited apparel for Spring.
Q&A
Where did the name Socali Equestrian come from?
Our name comes from our Southern California origination, Erin’s southern roots, and Nancy’s daughter named Cali. Out of these things, the name SoCali Equestrian was born.
Are you both equestrians?
Both of us are active Hunter/Jumper riders and have a very strong addiction to fox hunting. Nancy regularly flies to Ireland to hunt, and I’m a subscriber of the historic Myopia Hunt in Boston, MA. I recently had to move to Boston for work, I’m a civil servant for the federal government. Nancy’s daughter Calista is also a top junior rider in southern California and rides with Hunterbrook Farms.
What encouraged you to venture into Equestrian retail?
We think there is a real interest in diversity in the horse world particularly with entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to make the sport accessible to every dreamer out there without compromising quality. We started as a small reseller and have expanded to our own product line this spring. Over the last two years, we have donated a portion of our proceeds to horse rescues and important causes such as Black Lives Matter to help in increasing diversity in equestrian sports.
What type of products do you sell?
We carry bridles, girths, reins, halters, martingales, breastplates, and other tack as we find it. We have some cute and fun items on our website as well such as keychains, cooling towels, and fun little gifts. While we just launched our first three SoCali branded products including two halters and one bridle, we have other items in design for future release such as an anatomical poll relief bridle, a high-end traditional hunt bridle in European Buffalo leather, and perhaps one or two more pieces of SoCali apparel.
What makes SoCali Equestrian different than other equestrian online shops out there?
We pride ourselves on our customer service, and it is not unusual for our customers to receive a personal phone call or text to clarify an order or assure their satisfaction. We offer free shipping of all products in the United States and cost shipping for International. We ship our products in custom carrying bags and even offer a pre-oiling service to break in your new item so it arrives soft and supple from the beginning with no break-in time.
We are small and face the challenges of all small businesses, but we are constantly innovating, receiving feedback, and working with our customers to improve our products and give the best customer experience in every budget, discipline, and rider’s needs.
Now for the fun part. The products.
It was time to take some of the new SoCali products out and test them. Firstly, I was blown away by the quality at such affordable pricing. The option for pre-oiled was amazing as the products arrived in their SoCali Equestrian dust bags and were ready to be used right away. I would highly suggest purchasing this affordable added bonus.
The Anatomical combo stable and grooming halter was beyond what I could have ever expected. I had one happy OTTB. I was also equally impressed by the comfort of the Hunter bridle and Smooch’s new found flexibility in the bridle was evident. It was also nice seeing the smile on my trainer’s face when I arrived in the ring all decked out for my lesson. It had become a bit of a running joke about which piece from what bridle I would often show up in as Smooch, a rather “loud” Thoroughbred tends to break things. Needless to say, we made it through our jumping lesson without a hitch. All pieces intact. Thanks ladies! As for the triple stitch leather stable halter, it is gorgeous. The brass buckles and clips with the newly oiled leather looked outstanding on Cashy, our big red sorrel paint! Very handsome indeed.
PRODUCTS
1. SoCali Equestrian Triple Stitch Combination Stable and Grooming Halter We had this made from high quality European buffalo leather, high-end hardware, and German precision stitching. This is perhaps our most premium product we make meant to have that classic look with double functionality—no more fighting with the halter when you need to clip or having to purchase two halters for grooming and stable use. We added an adjustable nosepiece for owner’s to narrow or widen the halter to make less or more room at the muzzle as needed for a more custom fit. This halter is substantial in your hands and soft from the moment you touch it. We put this halter in comparison to the absolute best halters on the market and believe this is an investment halter durable and beautiful enough for your horse’s lifetime.
mini, cob, horse, oversize, and a true draft (for the big ones out there!). Pricing goes from mini $115, cob/horse/oversize $125, and draft $135
2. SoCali Equestrian Anatomical Combination Stable and Grooming Halter We designed this halter to be a gorgeous modern twist on a traditional halter for those with sensitive horses desiring a more anatomical fit. This halter is meant to give relief to the sensitive facial nerves found throughout a horse’s head. This is great for horses that are head shy, get rub marks easily, or react to traditional pressure points. With subtle fancy stitching and offered in Havana brown and black (horse size only), this halter has beautiful brass hardware and is made of quality vegetable-tanned leather using no harsh chemicals!! At the throatlatch, we designed a triple clip system that allows you to double this as a stable halter or remove the clips for grooming and clipping. We added an adjustable nose piece for owner’s to narrow or widen the halter to make less or more room at the muzzle as needed for a more custom fit. We consider this, and priced it, as a premiere product just under the premium quality of the triple stitch combination halter.
priced at a very reasonable $95 cob, horse, and oversize.
3. SoCali Equestrian Anatomical Flat Hunt Bridle with Removable Flash and Braided Reins: As avid Fox Hunters, we saw an opportunity to advance traditional hunt tack to be slightly more comfortable for the horse while still remaining acceptable for traditional hunt appointments or for those who just love the flat bridle look! We took a traditional flat hunt bridle and added subtle padding underneath the noseband and browband to soften the leather on your horse’s cranial pathways. We used a conservative anatomical crownpiece with added room for your horse’s ears, which we find particularly important in the hunt field since hunt horses constantly move their ears to listen to the hounds and the command of the field. With less constriction on the ears, we relieved poll pressure by widening the crownpiece and spreading the pressure over the top of the head instead of through a single strap over the poll. Additionally, we took the noseband strap thorough and over the top of the crownpiece to remove the direct pressure and allow the padding on the crownpiece to alleviate any downward constriction brought through the noseband. The flash is completely detachable and removable as well as adjustable for the comfort of your horse. This bridle comes in Havana brown with braided hunt reins and silver hardware. We consider this, and priced it, as a premiere product just under premium quality.
priced at a very reasonable $165. Horse size only at this time.
Title image by B Lindsay Ahern
