Ariat

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Ariat International, Inc.
Company typePrivate
IndustrySportswear
Founded1993
FounderBeth Cross, Pam Parker
HeadquartersUnion City, California, United States
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsRiding boots
Cowboy boots
Work boots
Websitewww.ariat.com

Ariat International is an American footwear, apparel and accessories brand for equestrian sports, work industries and other outdoor activities, located in Union City, California. Ariat was launched by Beth Cross and Pam Parker in 1993. It has since become a popular brand in performance footwear for English and Western horseback riding. As of 2023 Ariat International is the largest equestrian sports brand in the world.

History[edit]

Ariat was founded in 1993 by Stanford Business School classmates Beth Cross and Pam Parker.[1] While working for Bain & Company and consulting to Reebok, the co-founders saw an opportunity to apply athletic shoe technology to English and Western riding boots. They named their new company after Secretariat, the famous Triple Crown champion racehorse in honor of his "huge heart and competitive spirit."[2] The same year it was founded, Ariat released its first two boot styles, then went on to hire a number of equestrians and horse enthusiasts.[3] In the years following the company's launch, it expanded into new performance western and English apparel, as well as workwear.[4] The company also expanded its distribution in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Mexico, and Japan.[5]

In 2009, Ariat became the official boot sponsor of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR).[6] In 2015, Ariat signed a sponsorship deal with the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI).[7] In 2017, Ariat joined partners with the non-profit Jared Allen's Homes For Wounded Warriors, an organization which builds homes for injured war veterans.[8]

In 2018, Ariat announced that they were continuing their partnership with the US Equestrian Federation (USEF),[5] and Cross was awarded "Entrepreneur of the Year" in the Consumer Driven category by Ernst & Young.[1] As of 2020, Ariat is reportedly the largest equestrian footwear and apparel company in the world.[9]

Product design[edit]

Ariat manufactures boots in the United States, Mexico, Asia and Europe.[10] Co-founder Beth Cross worked with biomechanical research groups and testing labs in the making of Ariat's boots,[11] which are designed to be durable in outdoor environments, with patented Duratread outsoles,[12] and patented Advanced Torque Stability technology, (ATS), a multi-layered lightweight sole with a gel-cushioned footbed and a heel stabilizer to provide more support while riding.[13] In the late 1990s they introduced Hexcel cushioning technology for shock absorption while riding and on the ground, and introduced Cobalt technology in the early 2000s for further cushioning support.[14]

In 2006, the firm ventured into making western apparel, including woven shirts, tops and outdoor clothing for men and women.[14] The clothing incorporates flame-resistant technology, which came into demand from the oil workers of Colorado.[15] In 2018, Ariat released their waterproof FR HiVis H2O Proof Jacket.[16] Their waterproof Workhog H2O Boots use a U-turn entry system to make them easier to put on.[17]

Sponsorship[edit]

Ariat is the official footwear sponsor of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), and the title sponsor of the Ariat World Series of Team Roping (WSTR), the largest adult community of roping athletes.[18]

Ariat was featured in the 2015 movie The Longest Ride, a Nicholas Sparks film about a PBR athlete who is making his way back in bull riding after a life-threatening injury.[19]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Elizabeth Cross, MBA '88". Stanford Business School. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Ariat brand named after Secretariat". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  3. ^ Hahn, Esther (27 March 2015). "What the Team at Ariat Wears to Work". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  4. ^ "The Rise of Work Wear". Outsideonline.com. 8 January 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Ariat Expands Partnership with US Equestrian". USEF. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  6. ^ "Ariat Becomes PBR's Newest Corporate Partner". 11 June 2009. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Ariat foots it with the FEI in new sponsorship deal". Horsetalk.co.nz. 19 April 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Ariat Partners with Jared Allen's Homes For Wounded Warriors". Stablemanagement.com. 28 May 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  9. ^ "WWOM: Beth Cross". Westernwomen.com. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  10. ^ "The American Cowboy Boot Makes A Great Comeback". Forbes. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  11. ^ Agnew, Danny (29 April 2009). "Ariat Is the Dopest Boot Company You've Never Heard Of". InsideHook. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  12. ^ "Ariat Launches New Waterproof English Country Boots for Fall 2015". The Equine chronicle. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  13. ^ "Feet First". Riding Magazine. October 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  14. ^ a b "An Ariat Story". D&D Texas Outfitters. 4 February 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  15. ^ Boyce, Dan (24 July 2015). "Inside Energy: In Oilfield Towns, A Boom In Flame Resistant Clothing". Wyoming Public Media. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  16. ^ Fischbach, Amy (24 September 2018). "Ariat to Showcase FR High-Vis Jacket at Lineman's Expo". T&D World. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  17. ^ Fasanella, Allie (13 March 2020). "These Men's Slip-Resistant Western Boots Will Keep You Safe on Your Feet". Footwear News. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  18. ^ "Professional Bull Riders - National Partners". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  19. ^ Schneider-Levy, Barbara (9 March 2015). "Ariat Boots to Star on Scott Eastwood in 'The Longest Ride'". Footwear News.
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