Product Review: Ovation Cool Rider Zip-Mock Shirt

Welcome to EN’s Product Review series! Who doesn’t love shopping… especially when the object of your search is new gear for yourself or your horse? As an enthusiast of all products equine, I LOVE trying out new gear. Which is why I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to try out products, so that I may share my many adventures with all of you! Please join me as I narrate my personal journey of trying out all of the products featured. While I will make no recommendations, I hope that you simply have fun and find entertainment while reading about my many adventures of trying new products, and that hearing about my personal experiences might help give you factors to consider when you are on your own quest for new gear!

Embroidered Ovation logo on left sleeve of the Cool Rider Zip-Mock shirt.  Photo by Lorraine Peachey Embroidered Ovation logo on left sleeve of the Cool Rider Zip-Mock shirt. Photo by Lorraine Peachey

In the true spirit of Summer, I just spent some time down at the shore this past weekend. There is nothing better then breaking the routine, even if it is just for a few days. Every single day, I’m used to having AM feedings and barn work as part of my normal routine. Words simply can’t begin to describe how refreshing it is to wake up late, throw on a swimsuit, and hit the beach.

I’m not going to deny, it’s really pretty freaking fantastic to lounge around in the sun. But there is a downside for me; I guess that somewhere in my genetics, it was predetermined that I tend to go the way of sunburns, rather than suntans. Which is a trait that puts me a little bit at odds with myself. When the weather turns warmer, clothing layers tend to get lighter as I attempt to stay cool. Which is an action that tends to earn my skin tone some color…of the red and peeling variety.

Ok, so when I’m riding or doing barn work at home, obviously I’m not going to be running around the farm in a swimsuit. At least, I haven’t felt the need to yet, no matter how sweltering the temperatures get. Kidding aside, I do have a difficult time combatting the sun while spending time around the farm. That may have something to do with the fact that I often waltz right out the door without stopping to apply some sunscreen.

The Ovation Cool Rider Shirt kept me cool...even on 80+ degree days!  Photo by Lorraine Peachey

The Ovation Cool Rider Shirt kept me cool…even on 80+ degree days! Photo by Lorraine Peachey

So what’s a girl to do to get a little relief from the sun and the warm temperatures? Well, I’ve recently been delighted to be introduced to the Ovation Cool Rider Zip-Mock shirt, available from ERS-Eventing. The Cool Rider is a long sleeve shirt that is made out of Evercool™ fabric. Evercool™ was designed in order to help bring down the body’s temperature, through helping sweat to evaporate from the body quickly.

Now, I know what some of you might be thinking right now–wearing a long sleeve shirt to stay cool might seem a little….well, counter-intuitive. I used to think exactly that. But I’d describe myself as someone with an open mind, who is more than willing to change my opinions when I find out that I’ve been mistaken about something.

From the time that I pulled the Cool Rider shirt out of it’s packaging, I couldn’t help but notice how smooth to the touch and soft the shirt is. The fabric definitely has a lightweight feel to it; one of the first features that I noticed were the sheer mesh panels that run the full length of the underside of the sleeves. The Cool Rider also includes a quarter-zip on the front, as well as a small embroidered ‘Ovation’ logo on the left sleeve.

The lightweight feel of the fabric foreshadowed my experiences of riding and working in the Cool Rider shirt. I pulled the Cool Rider on to wear outside during days that were above 80 degrees. I’ll admit, I was a little hesitant at the thought of long sleeves, because I had no desire to be sweaty and dripping while pursuing activities around the farm.

The mesh panel that runs along the underside of the sleeve is instrumental in helping me to keep cool!  Photo by Lorraine Peachey

The mesh panel that runs along the underside of the sleeve is instrumental in helping me to keep cool! Photo by Lorraine Peachey

Anyway, I digress – when I set out to ride in the 80+ degree weather, I noticed that the fabric of the Cool Rider shirt felt, well cool again my skin. As I went through my warm up, I observed that I had a nice flow of air moving through the mesh panels on the underside of the sleeves of the shirt. But the most important part–I didn’t feel too warm. At all.

While riding in the summer heat, sweat is a reality. The Cool Rider shirt can’t actually stop sweat (that would pretty much a miracle). No, instead the Evercool™ fabric harnesses the power of sweat. The shirt actually helped to wick the sweat away from me. And while wearing the Cool Rider shirt, I’ll admit it…I sweat. But the thing was, that my sweat evaporated quickly. And that left me feeling dry and cool.

Even after a ride in the 80+ degree weather, I was feeling good enough to untack my horse, and then proceed to do my evening barn chores and PM feeding routine. The fast drying fabric, coupled with the mesh panels of the Cool Rider did indeed keep me feeling fresh. I spent hours outside, wearing the Cool Rider shirt in warm temperatures. And now? I’m a convert to wearing long sleeves.

...and I keep staying cool, even during riding or barn chores!  Photo by Lorraine Peachey

…and I keep staying cool, even during riding or barn chores! Photo by Lorraine Peachey

Just one more plus is that the Ovation Cool Rider Zip-Mock shirt is available in a number of colors – of course, I gravitated towards the ‘Baltic’ – a lovely shade of blue…but that’s no surprise since I love all things red, white & blue – with stars, stripes and/or spangles. The Ovation Cool Rider shirt has an affordable retail price of $39.95.

Want to get your hands on your very own Ovation Cool Rider shirt? Well, don’t miss out on a chance to WIN one of your very own! Don’t forget to check out the Hot Or Not? contest, presented by our fabulous sponsor ERS-Eventing.com. Check out the contest, and submit a photo to show us how you beat the heat. And remember, the more creative and hilarious your entries are, the happier the chinchillas will be!

Go Sun Protection AND Staying Cool.  Go Ovation.  Go Eventing.

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