We’ve done a little Q&A with founder of Paladin Equestrian Ginny Brayn-smith followed by an intro to Paladin UK Marketing Director, Lauren Forrester
HOMETOWN?
Oakham, Rutland - Smallest county in England and home to rolling hills and stubble fields galore! I am currently based in Singapore and am riding with the fabulous Ron from Vanderflaken Equestrian at the STC you may recognise their famous covered arena from some of the pictures on our instagram!
FAVOURITE RIDING STORY?
As an 8-year old, I was a really tiny little thing and I used to help out every single day, without fail, in a neighbours livery yard just so that I could be around horses. I would ride any horse they gave me and my favourite was Bob the Cob - he was a giant to me at 16hh and I quickly developed the nickname pea on a drum!
FAVOURITE DISCIPLINE?
Cross Country – we don’t get much of this in Singapore as there’s not much countryside but it’s something I would love to take up again.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE HORSE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
Can I bring back Paladin? Paladin was my first horse and he was the dearest pony. As brave as anything, Paladin and I could take on the world together! A wonderful schoolmaster and a great first pony! Hence the name and inspiration for my business...
WHY DID YOU START THIS BRAND?
I have been a keen horse rider since the age of 6 and I know that style, sustainability and functionality are all important traits for any leisurely or serious horse rider. And this is what I wanted to embody in Paladin Equestrian - the marriage of all the qualities I believe a horse rider needs in their products. I am so conscious of the world we live in and am pleased to have created this unique range of saddle pads with a variety of colours from our royal blue peacock saddle pad to our banana leaf print on white - the perfect saddle pad for your chestnut or darker horse.
FAVOURITE PALADIN SADDLE PAD
It would be so hard to choose as they are all great for different occasions. If you are picking your saddle pad for the colour of the horse then of course the white saddle pad with either the flamingo or the banana leaf would be the perfect saddle pad for your chestnut or bay horse, while the flamingo and the peacock on royal blue saddle pads really pop on a grey or palomino! But the geometric jungle print saddle pad really does work for any horse and rider combo - so we really have tried to make a pad that will look fabulous on everyone! Riders make so much effort these days by matching themselves to their horse as well so I guess it really depends on what you want to go for as an overall look between the pair!
FUTURE PLANS FOR PALADIN EQUESTRIAN?
I am so pleased to have launched with such a fabulous initial range of horse saddle pads so I can’t wait to see how they go. At the moment we just have general purpose saddle pads but I would also like to create pony sized saddle pads with some really cool designs for kids, dressage saddle pads and of course we can’t miss the passion for matchy matchy saddle pad sets so will definitely be looking into complementary horse equipment such as ear bonnets and bandages to match and complement our saddle pads.
INTRODUCING LAUREN FORRESTER, PALADIN EQUESTRIAN, MARKETING DIRECTOR, UK.
PASSIONATE EQUESTRIAN AND DIGITAL MARKETING WHIZZ!
WHEN DID YOU FIRST REALISE YOUR LOVE OF HORSES?
When I was around 3, my grandad took me to a horse show in his home town, Westport in Co Mayo Ireland. I fell in love with a Shetland pony and begged him to pop her into the boot of the car, unsurprisingly, Grandad said no! I wanted to keep this tiny shetland so much, I sobbed for 24 hours straight he very nearly went back for her. This was the beginning of a 37 year love affair!
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT RIDING FOR YOU?
Riding to me is a mental release as well as a passion, I head away and do riding weeks in the west coast of Ireland, exploring the stunning countryside with my favourite partner in crime Trooper. There is nothing healthier for me than completely switching off and putting life in my pocket for a short while to re-charge.
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH PALADIN EQUESTRIAN?
Ginny and I are actually close friends from living in Sydney together and have been joined by our love of horses for years! When Ginny told me the idea to create a line of fashion forward and sustainable saddle pads I just knew I wanted to be involved from the offset! Its been a great journey so far and we are working on some really exciting plans for the future including dressage pads and a children’s collection with pony sized saddle pads. I have to say I am most excited about creating the matchy matchy sets though as I personally LOVE anything matchy matchy!