By JORDAN HEARN
I don’t remember a time in my life without horses. Whether I was riding, grooming, or feeding them, I didn’t care what I was doing—I just wanted to be at the barn. I began riding at 6 years old in New Jersey and continued my equestrian journey when my family moved to Central New York. After years of lessons and leasing, I finally found my own horse, Sam.
With Sam came greater responsibility and a deeper understanding of horsemanship. Over time, I learned that being an equestrian is about far more than riding—it’s about commitment, education, and community. I felt incredibly lucky to be supported by my parents and surrounded by people who shared my passion for the sport.
As I got older, I began to understand the reality of what it takes to participate in equestrian sport. From schooling shirts and breeches to show apparel, helmets, boots, and gloves, the costs add up quickly. While these items are essential, they can be out of reach for many people who love horses just as much as I do.
By the time I entered high school, this realization stayed with me. Every visit to the barn and each show I attended led to the same question: How can equestrian sport become more accessible without sacrificing quality or identity?
At shows, I began paying closer attention to the apparel and accessories riders relied on every day. I noted which items were most popular, how they fit, how they felt, and most importantly their price points. I admired established brands like Ariat, Samshield, RJ Classics, and Dada Sport, but I also recognized that many riders simply couldn’t afford to participate fully at those price levels.
The Beginning of True Horse Equestrian
That question eventually turned into an idea: what if I could create essential equestrian apparel that balanced quality, function, and affordability? I began researching what it would take to build a brand with inclusion and accessibility at its core. This meant learning about manufacturing, developing a business plan, and speaking with professionals about what goes into creating a legitimate apparel line.
In January, I found a manufacturer willing to work with me to produce high-quality products at a reasonable cost. My first piece was the Paddock Pullover—a classic crewneck sweatshirt designed to be worn at the barn, at school, or anywhere in between.
From there, I moved on to what I knew would be the most challenging piece: a schooling shirt. I wanted something soft, flexible, flattering, and functional for real riders. The first sample was too restrictive. The second still wasn’t right. After eight months, multiple revisions, and a lot of patience, we finally landed on a design that met my standards for comfort, quality, and price.
Brand Identity & the Meaning Behind the Logo
As True Horse grew, building a strong and meaningful brand identity became just as important as the products themselves. The name True Horse reflects my genuine love for horses and the authenticity of equestrian life. In the main logo, the final “E” in True and Horse are connected to visually represent that bond.
The secondary E/O logo, which stands for Equestrian / Owner, was designed as a simple, versatile symbol that reflects the relationship between rider and horse. It serves as a subtle but powerful representation of the partnership at the heart of the sport and appears on many items.
Currently, True Horse Equestrian offers the Paddock Pullover, T-shirts, trucker hats, winter beanies and brand new schooling shirts are now available on our website or through a few local tack stores.
Looking ahead, I plan to continue developing essential pieces riders rely on every day, always with comfort, function, and affordability in mind.
Lessons Learned
Building True Horse has taught me far more than I expected. I’ve learned that quality takes time, that setbacks are part of the process, and that staying true to your original purpose matters. The biggest challenge has been learning when to push forward and when to slow down and refine, especially when the end goal is serving others, not just launching a product.
True Horse Equestrian exists to make riders feel included, supported, and seen. This is just the beginning, but I’m committed to creating a brand that riders trust and love both in and out of the barn.
I am, and always will be, a True Horse Equestrian.
About the Author
Jordan Hearn is a New York State high school senior and the founder of True Horse Equestrian. She plans to compete in the Junior Hunters this winter in Ocala and hopes to ride in a collegiate program beginning in Fall 2026. Instagram: @truehorseeq Facebook: True Horse Equestrian
