The Sun, Sweat, and Style of a Summertime Ride
Summer is one of the best months to be a rider. Shaded trail rides, barn parties, themed camps, local shows, plus those endless pony spa days.
We don’t want riders to miss any of the activities they have planned, so the Summer NF.edit is packed with sun, sweat, and style essentials to keep them protected, hydrated, and feeling great all summer long. Better yet, these products are made by dedicated and passionate equestrian entrepreneurs who want the same thing.
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Training at home, competing at a show, or wherever horses take equestrians this season, the items found in our latest box are summertime ride must-haves.
Sun
The sun is probably the element that equestrians are exposed to the most and the one we often forget about. Between the dirt, dust, sweat, and a variety of other grime found in the barn, keeping your skin clean let alone reapplying your sunblock are probably not on the top of your list throughout the day.
The dream sunscreen for equestrians is one that’s effective, all-natural, feels nice enough to use every day, and is easy to apply. NF.edit brand favorite Equestrian Wellness is here to answer our needs once again with the Essential Sunstick (SPF 15) ($16).
The saying “if it’s on you, it’s in you” is a skincare truism which is why friend, founder, and fellow horsewoman Valerie Breslow creates all of her formulas with 100% natural gluten-free ingredients. The Essential Sunstick adheres to this same standard with organic coconut oil, unfiltered cacao butter, local beeswax, and mineral-based non-nano zinc oxide to protect you from harmful UVA/UVB rays and soothe your skin at the same time. Along with it being the cutest and most convenient travel size to throw in your ring bag and even your breech pocket, the Essential Sunstick is safe for all ages to use on face, lips, and body.
You’ve applied sunscreen, now what should you wear to stay protected from the summer sun rays? We’ve seen riding clothing brands create a variety of SPF conscious apparel from show shirts to attachable helmet visors and now — neck kerchiefs, the stylish solution for sun protection!
Meet your new summertime sun style staple: CALLIDAE’S The Hannah ($30). A pop-over neck kerchief, our custom color designed Hannah covers your neck and chest as you ride. It’s made from the same lightweight and comfortable jersey material as CALLIDAE’s popular Practice Shirts so it’s not bulky and doesn’t add to the heat.
Avoiding a sunburn doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on effectiveness and style. Whether it’s working around the farm, popping around town, and definitely riding, the burn buck can stop with this cool accessory.
Sweat
Summer is synonymous with sweat — and so is riding.
No matter where you are in the U.S. this summer, you’re probably already feeling the heat. Hydration is crucial not just in the summer, but year-round for your fun and safety in the saddle.
Drinking ample amounts of water helps to maximize physical performance and muscle function, improves mood and concentration and boosts energy levels. But sometimes we need a little help getting those liters down.
Equestrian Wellness knows the importance of hydration for equestrians and created an electrolyte mix that’s easy to add to your pre- and post-ride routines. Think Gatorade but better. As an NF.edit member, you are one of the first riders to receive the new Equestrian Wellness Rider Aide ($10). No other subscription box in the space features this little packet of mighty hydration power!
Gluten-free with no artificial sweeteners, colors, or flavors, Rider Aide is formulated with all-natural forms of Vitamin C, including acerola berry, hibiscus, orange peel, and rosehips that boost your skin’s collagen and help fight free radicals. Just combine 1 tsp of powder with 8 oz water in your favorite travel bottle and mix it up! Each packet is good for six servings, and trust us when we say that you’ll soon be stocking up on as much Rider Aide as you can get your hands on.
It’s simple, easy, smart, and delicious. So enjoy and drink up!
As you finish that group lesson or get ready to start barn chores, you’re going to want to tie back that head of now very sweaty hair. Cyndibands Ribbon Hair Ties ($5.95) in NF.edit colors don’t crease and fit easily under your helmet. Should you be in need of an extra hair tie on those days when you need to put it all up in a messy bun, enjoy this cute little gift from us to you.
Style
We want you to be able to take all of the items from your NF.edit boxes with you wherever your horseback adventures lead, and so does Leah Kaufmann from Dapplebay Clothing Co. She has combined her loves of riding and design to create a brand that celebrates horses, our sport, and values horsemanship and sportsmanship.
A girl after our own heart and a wonderful creative in the industry, we love Leah’s entire product line, but one of our favorite items is Dapplebay Clothing Company’s Muck & Feed Cotton Tote Bag ($30). Classic design and extremely durable, this tote can handle whatever you decide to throw in it. But the element of this tote that we love the most is the messaging. “Muck & Feed & Groom & Ride” speaks to riders from every discipline, level, and background who knows a thing or two about hard work and putting in the hours to take care of the horses we love.
What is sure to be one of the most popular items in the June NF.edit is the Huntsmen & Hounds Logo Hat ($28). This 5-paneled structured hat is a mix of classic and modern design. A clean yet bold, black color and logo with a trucker hat low profile structure makes it one of the chicest hats out there.
One of the many reasons we love H&H, other than their beautifully crafted artisanal and sustainable items, is their mission to connect and educate equestrians “on how they can effect change in small ways every day that [creates] a community and awareness that gives back to the horse and the globe we are trotting on.” Founder Michele Rozo is living and breathing this mission every day, creating and cultivating pieces that honor the tradition of our sport and continue to inspire the equestrians of today.
June’s NF.edit curation is all about summer fun, sun protection, and style and this beautiful H&H logo hat achieves all three.
You’ll also find in your June NF.edit, a sample of Équilibre Cosmetics Hand cream. Tara Kassey-Kedzia introduces a new brand to the space that’s already doing great things for our community and whose products are also being used by top international riders. On top of offering 100% vegan and cruelty-free personal care products that fun fact, won’t irritate your horse, are also non-greasy, housed in fully recyclable packaging, and part of proceeds for each product sold is given to different equestrians and charities local and beyond where Équilibre Cosmetics are present.
We can’t wait to work with Tara and Équilibre in future editions of the NF.edit to bring their full-size game-changing personal care items to you, the riders. Learn more about Équilibre Cosmetics at www.equilibre-cosmetics.com.
Read this next: Three Key Ways To Manage Your Horse’s Feet This Summer
Photography by Heather Fulbright Grambergs for NoelleFloyd.com.
Thank you to Kelci Krenshaw of Hillmar Farm in Gainesville, GA for allowing us to shoot at this beautiful facility. Thank you to Megan Owens and the riders; Ally Squire, Athena Takla, Katelyn Buchanan, and Izzy Durnell.