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!
Goode Rider Logo Patch on left sleeve of Elite Shirt. Photo by Lorraine Peachey
Every morning when my alarm clock goes off at 5am, I hop out of bed to start my day. Ok, I may have to drag myself out of bed on some days. Regardless—after hitting up the treadmill to log a couple of miles, I grab a shower to head out to the barn (because, by the way, 5am is the only time I can fit a run into my crazed schedule!).
There are three faces peering out of their stall windows at me, and the grain buckets in my arms usually elicit a chorus of nickers. I’ve got “breakfast” to serve, stalls to muck, water buckets to fill, and hay to throw. Oh, and I definitely can’t forget to throw on fly gear and empty that muck cart!
Finishing my morning barn chores feels like an accomplishment; but after I’m all done, it’s time to rush back inside to get ready to head into my full-time office job. It’s always a little sad to have to rush off from the barn every morning, because it is one of my favorite times of the day. The horses are quiet, and it’s just so peaceful in the early hours of the day. As much as I wish I could take a morning ride, my time in the saddle will have to wait until I return home later on.
The Goode Rider Elite Shirt can go from the barn to the office…. Photo by Lorraine Peachey
Being someone who is involved in equestrian sports, I think it’s inaccurate to call what I do a hobby. Really, it’s a lifestyle. So, when I finish all of my morning chores and am getting ready for work, I sometimes wish that I could keep that aspect of myself with me during the day—and let my equestrian flag fly high in the office. Ok, so everyone already knows that I’m a “horse person” at work. That’s really an ambassador job in and of itself, that I won’t even try to digress into at this time.
As an equestrian though, I find that definitely impacts my style. I’ve lost count of the number of times that I’ve been stopped in the office by someone asking me about a particular brand of jacket or vest I’m wearing, because it looks “horse-y”. So I was definitely glad to recently have the chance to try out the Elite Shirt from Goode Rider.
While wearing the Elite Shirt, I felt so fab that Mark & I took a ‘faux jog’ down the drive! Photo by Lorraine Peachey
One of the aspects that I liked when I first saw the Elite Shirt was it’s neat and polished appearance. While I could see myself riding in this shirt (when striving to look slightly more prim), I could just as easily picture myself walking into the office wearing it (and I actually have several times!). Or even wearing it for a jog. Though, in my case I’d probably just be watching a jog for now–but I can dream of the future. If all else fails, I can always even practice jogging in my own driveway.
…and it looks great from the back too! Photo by Lorraine Peachey
Beyond it’s clean lines, I definitely appreciate how lightweight the cotton material is that the Elite Shirt is crafted out of. I’ve worn shirt during the crisp weather of Spring, as well as cooler Summer days – the fabric does a great job at helping to keep me cool, even on slightly warmer days.
I do typically layer the Elite Shirt over a black cami or tank shirt due to the thin nature of the fabric (with lightweight fabrics, it is always safer to layer!) The shirt also does feature ruching on the front, as well as two cotton side panels, which gives it a very attractive look.
The Elite Shirt that I’ve had the chance to try is in the Black Gingham pattern. I guess I would say that I was drawn to this particular print because I am a huge fan of plaid (what can I say…us country gals like our plaid). The shirt buttons up the front, and has two front pocket as well.
There is also a stylish Goode Rider logo patch on the left sleeve of the shirt–which makes my inner equestrian happy while I’m wearing the shirt in the office during the day.
The clean & polished lines of the Elite Shirt look great from the side as well. Photo by Lorraine Peachey
I really like the style and functionality that Goode Rider’s Elite Shirt has to offer. Not only can I wear it when I want feel fab in the saddle, but also provides a clean, professional appearance for when I’m away from the barn (and still want to let my equestrian flag fly).
The shirt is lightweight enough to be comfortable to wear in slightly warmer weather. And it also incorporates little extra details that really make it feminine and stylish. The Elite Shirt has a retail price of $79.00. I personally very much like the Elite Shirt, and feel like it will be a crossover staple piece in both my riding and professional wardrobes.
Go Style…from the Barn to the Office. Go Goode Rider. Go Eventing.
