Ariat Life

Director of Design Hollin Norwood’s Creative Spirit Drove Him to a Love of Leather. A craftsman at his core, Hollin isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty when sourcing the best possible raw materials for Ariat’s diverse collection of leather Western boots.

With the show season just around the corner it won’t be long before we’re spending hours grooming and prepping our horses the night before our first competition, hoping that they don’t cover themselves in stable stains or find a muddy patch to roll in before you need to load them on to the lorry at 5am.

“Secretariat ran flat into legend, started running right out of the gate and never stopped…” – William Nack for Sports Illustrated

Training can be one of the most rewarding parts of owning a horse, but we have all been there on the days where it does not go to plan. Some days we have an amazing training session, come away feeling like we are really progressing, and everything is clicking into place, and then other times your training can feel like it is stuck in a rut.

At Ariat, we are committed to becoming more eco-friendly one step at a time. We value our deep connections with the outdoors – from the materials we use in our products to the members of our community who spend their days outside. Since our founding, we have emphasised the importance of developing products that stand the test of time. Being resourceful, responsible, and respectful remains a focal point for us today as we expand our sustainability initiatives. Discover our Earth Day initiatives and how we strive to produce sustainable clothing that can be worn and loved for longer.

Ariat’s story began nearly 30 years ago when Beth Cross pushed through initial rejection to bring a company to life that would revolutionise the boot industry. She had proposed an entirely new concept – to create riding boots infused with performance trainer technology – to a major athletic shoe company but was ultimately turned down. While this company passed on the opportunity, Beth knew the idea could have a major impact on riders. As an equestrian herself, she was aware of the crucial role that equipment can have on a rider’s performance.

Despite this initial hurdle, Beth pushed forward. This show of unbridled leadership, which is rooted in hard work and a drive to keep going, even when others say it isn’t possible, played an important role in getting Ariat off the ground and has continued to shape the trajectory of the company over the last three decades.

Regular cleaning will keep your leather riding boots in good condition for a long time to come. Let's take a look at how to clean leather riding boots.