SPOTLIGHT
EQUILINE How a passion project became a staple brand in equestrian closets and tack rooms worldwide WORDS: APRIL BILODEAU
HORSE AND RIDER APPAREL is a booming business, with many
choices available. But few companies can say that they carry every item needed for both horse and rider quite like Equiline. From riding coats to custom saddle pads, Equiline has equestrians covered while also keeping top quality and materials in mind. “People know us for our apparel but we’re so much deeper than that,” Kelly Molinari, president of Equiline’s United States distributor, tells The Plaid Horse. The company originated in Italy and was founded over 30 years ago by two brothers. Their family was in the fashion and textile business. The brothers were both equestrians, owning three horses, and those horses would later become the subjects of the Equiline logo. They wanted to create a textile saddle pad that would be more supportive for their horses. Friends around the barn were impressed with the quality of the saddle pads and pressed the duo to produce and market their new creation and so Equiline began. Molinari helped bring the now widely popular brand to America ten years ago after accidentally finding the company while looking for a quality show shirt. “I was struck by how beautiful the design of the Equiline shirt was,” says
44
THE PLAID HORSE
Molinari, who at the time was working as a consultant. She tracked Equiline down at a trade show in Germany and asked how she could help import the products into the US. Soon the company that started with a saddle pad found demand emanating from the opposite side of the Atlantic.
FOR THE HORSE All Equiline products are designed in Italy with fabrics and textiles that are sourced from the country. While the quality and longevity of the products the company creates are important, Equiline prioritizes the horses’ comfort and well-being first in each equine product they create. “Every product we make is always designed with respect for the horse,” says Molinari. “We aim to help horses and never hinder them.” The range of horse products include blankets, coolers, saddle pads, half
December 2023/January 2024
pads, wraps and boots, earnets and fly masks, bridles, martingales, halters, and lead ropes—most of which can be fully customized. They are also well known for creating soundproof ear bonnets. “Each piece of the bridle can be purchased separately to create a bridle that fits your horse properly, as well as fitting your style” says Molinari. “If your horse needs a cob noseband but is otherwise a horse size, you can do that!” The company also has a saddle division, with options for the dressage, eventing, hunter, and jumper disciplines. Included in their saddle line are the Nick Skelton Signature Saddle and the Scott Stewart Signature Hunter Saddle, both of which were co-designed with the professional riders. “We work with several top riders to test the products and incorporate their suggestions,” says Kaitlin Porath, Director of Marketing for the US distributor, who also works closely with
