BY SISSY WICKES
What do you get when you cross a cold trainer with an active wear apparel developer?
Redingote!
All riders, trainers, and horse enthusiasts who live in colder climates have experienced the hardships of winter at the barn. How many layers can we wear before we cannot bend our limbs? How many times do we have to stop and take layers off as we ride? How do we look presentable and stay warm?
Lifelong equestrian Connie DeMaio is familiar with the trials of teaching lessons in the cold, removing clothing to ride and then replacing it, and traveling to winter shows to compete. “I have been training for a long time and every winter I would struggle to find clothing that was really functional and warm while hopping on and off horses. I found a vintage winter one piece that I started wearing over my riding clothes and people would stop me and ask me where I got it.” DeMaio continued to look for a more technical and functional version of a one piece garment, but never found anything manufactured for the equestrian.
Because their husbands work together, equestrian Connie DeMaio met active wear designer Allison Malenfant. They became friends and Allison decided it was time to pursue her lifelong goal of learning to ride. “I never had access to horses growing up,” Allison explains. “So, when Connie and I became friends, I saw it as a sign and began to take lessons three years ago.” With eight years of fitness wear product development and merchandising for SoulCycle on her resume, Allison was the perfect person for Connie to pair with in order to make an equestrian one piece garment. “Connie told me about her idea for a one piece, and I thought it was something we could do together,” Allison recalls. “We knew it could solve a lot of clothing problems, so we started to develop it.”
From the need of an equestrian and the expertise of a fitness wear merchandiser, Redingote was born. Named for the elegantly tailored riding coats of the 18th century, Redingote offers a one piece outerwear jumper that is both feminine and functional. Made from modern technical fabrics, it is waterproof, breathable, and insulated from head to toe with a fit designed to layer over any standard riding or show outfit.
As riders, Allison and Connie understand all of the needs and nuances of riding apparel. The garments offer a warmth-enhancing storm flap over the front zipper that fastens with magnets instead of Velcro, which attracts dirt and hay. There are places to stash riding essentials such as gloves, a phone, cards and cash. One of the pockets even has a wipeable liner to store horse treats. Equipment also has a place on the one piece with a left leg sleeve for a crop and a D ring on the hip to hang spurs. Riders can pull the suit on and off without removing their boots thanks to leg zippers that open to the thigh.
Redingote apparel is designed by equestrians for equestrians. The jumper keeps riders warm, dry and clean in the barn and at shows, and winter trail riders find it the perfect solution for cold-weather hacks. The one piece does not ride up while mounted and is made of insulated nylon so dirt and mud do not stick. The product is monogrammable, making it the perfect team or barn accessory. Buy one for your trainer with your barn logo or present the idea to your coach for the upcoming academic year. If you are riding this winter, make the most of the experience with Redingote apparel. Be warm, be comfortable, be smart.
Visit the website at redingoteequestrian.com to order online or visit the Redingote representatives at a horse show near you.
We’d love to meet you! Stop by and see us at any of the horse shows listed here, where you can try on our product and have it shipped right to your door. Want to see us at a show near you? We want to hear from you! Please contact us by visiting the Events page on our website and filling out the form…
Event Calendar
July 24-29 – Vermont Summer Festival, East Dorset, VT
Aug 26 – Sept 2 – Hampton Classic Horse Show, Bridgehampton, NY
Sept 15 & 16 – College Preparatory Invitational, Asbury, NJ
Oct 15-20 – PA National Horse Show, Harrisburg, PA
Oct 23-28 – Washington International Horse Show 60th Anniversary, Washington, DC
Nov 8-11 – Equine Affair, West Springfield, MA
About the Author: Sissy is a Princeton University graduate, a lifelong rider and trainer, a USEF R rated judge, a freelance journalist and an autism advocate. Her illustrious resume includes extensive show hunter and jumper experience. She lives with her family in Unionville, PA and Wellington, FL.
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