Alex Granato and Day Glow sported the beautiful and ecofriendly Oaklyn Terra fancy stitch fleece girth in the main hunter ring in Traverse City, MI.
Products inspired by the love of horses and the ground they gallop on. Gwynedd Valley, PA – July 24, 2020 - In 2018, twin sisters Laura Santomauro and Emily Barrett of Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania, brought something new and unprecedented to the equestrian world with their ecofriendly products to create Oaklyn Tack, an innovative company taking a greener approach to produce stunning fleece and non-slip girths. Oaklyn’s state of the art girths are made of recycled polyester, harvested from plastic soda
and water bottles, (15 bottles make one girth) and humanely sourced wool. The wool is obtained from American farmers who adhere to strict animal husbandry and land management standards, ensuring both the sheep and earth are treated humanely and respectfully. While the polyester used in Oaklyn’s girths is much more energy efficient and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, the quality is not sacrificed as these girths are durable and beautiful.
The products are inspired by the sisters’ love of horses and the ground they gallop on, as their slogan states. Why environmentally friendly products?
“Growing up immersed in the outdoors was definitely a contributing factor to creating the ecofriendly products. I’d like future generations to be able to enjoy the outdoors as we have,” business owner Barrett said. “I care about the products I purchase, where they come from, the quality of materials, and the overall impact they have on the environment. By recycling plastic, we are able to divert plastic waste from landfills which can take over 450 years to decompose, or pollute our waterways or lands."
Leading Riders and Trainers Use Oaklyn
The girths, assembled in the USA, are already sported by many well-known names in the equestrian world including renowned Horse of the Year trainer as well as top equitation/junior trainer, Don Stewart of Don Stewart Stables in Reddick, FL., successful hunter/jumper rider and Medal and Maclay Finals judge, Tammy Provost, of Meadow View Farm in Indianapolis, IN., World Championship Hunter rider and trainer, Peter Pletcher and Jef Lauwers of PJP Farm in Magnolia, TX., grand prix rider Alex Granato and Josh Dolan of Mad Season, LLC of Wellington, FL., up and coming junior rider Molly Canfield and her mother, amateur rider, Mary Beth Canfield of Galway Farm in Long Grove, IL., to name a few.
Don Stewart's Podcast with Riley Hogan aboard won in the Junior Hunters 3'3" wearing the Oaklyn Terra fancy stitch non-slip girth.
“They’re nice looking and easy to maintain, which works great for our group,” commented Stewart.
Professional Tammy Provost and All In win with the Oaklyn Terra non-slip girth.
“I really like them," said Provost. "The girths are pretty, they look nice on the horses and they fit well without being expensive."
World Championship Hunter Rider Peter Pletcher and Jef Lauwers (pictured above) chalked up numerous victories for PJP Farm during the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival including a derby win and Platinum Performance Horse of the Week with Calipso.
“I just love these girths!” said Pletcher. “It’s the first girth I’ve put on where the horses don’t tense up, and they're also really beautiful.”
Josh Dolan and Menelink are perfectly turned out with the Oaklyn Terra non-slip girth.
Junior rider Molly Canfield and Class Act sport Oaklyn's Terra Girth in the Small Junior Hunters in Traverse City. Photo Andrew Ryback Photography It may be easy to assume that these ecofriendly girths are costly, but Oaklyn has successfully manufactured them to be cost conscious and affordable. Oaklyn offers the Terra girth with both non-slip and fleece liners, which can be easily replaced before buying an entirely new girth. They also have pattern and color options presenting plain stitch, fancy stitch, and Argentinian patterns. Oaklyn also makes halter fleeces from their humanely sourced wool and is working on producing more ecofriendly products to expand their line. Oaklyn Tack has taken an everyday product for riders and adapted it to be better for the environment, while still being comfortable for the horse, affordable, and beautiful and they’ve only just begun creating greener pastures for everyone! Easy Online Shopping Oaklyn Tack is an exclusively online company, all purchases can be made directly through the website at www.OaklynTack.com. Products can also be purchased through Oaklyn’s Instagram and Facebook pages.