I’m going to start this off by telling you to head over and enter the giveaway on Instagram and Facebook if you haven’t already! We’re giving away 1 Ear Bonnet and 1 Sportive Jump Pad in Black Raven to some lucky reader!
Next I want to let you know for the month of March, 5% of profits from the Black Raven collection will benefit #WeRideTogether. #WeRideTogether is a non-profit on a mission to prevent sexual misconduct in sport through education, awareness, and resources.
Founded in 2021, #WeRideTogether started as an awareness campaign and educational website designed to empower, inform and unite the equestrian community around sexual misconduct prevention. Showcasing powerful first-person interviews from sexual abuse survivors, #WeRideTogether promotes transparent dialogue around sexual misconduct, raises awareness for the many forms grooming and abuse can take, and helps diminish the stigma and fear of coming forward by giving survivors a safe platform to share their voices. The organization is creating a blueprint to help make all sports safer for youth, amateur, and professional athletes.
Now onto the good stuff! As part of this campaign and giveaway I was also sent a pad to review (thank you!). So here we go!
I’ve reviewed Equestrian Stockholm pads in the past…so this isn’t a new product for me, but this one removes a few of the issues I had with the other pads. I have probably 6 or so of their pads in my collection right now and this one is quickly close to the top of the list (if not the top). I love purple…so this one is super special. I’m now sorely tempted to pick up the boots and the jacket…so pretty. The Black Raven collection features a very dark purple set off by black and white details. The regular dressage pad has white piping and embroidery and black binding. It also has a gorgeous gunmetal badge that is quite eye catching.
This color is pretty cool and unique from what I have already. From first glance I thought it was going to be the same color as Orchid Bloom as the base, but it isn’t. It is darker. Orchid Bloom has a touch more gray to it than this one does. This one is a warmer leaning purple (it almost looks wine colored in overcast light). The black binding adds to the overall dark look. I think the thread chosen is what sometimes gives it a wine colored appearance as it’s a little more red than the fabric of the pad. You can see that in the detail photos.
The nice thing about purple is I feel that it looks good on most horses. If it had gone any redder, it would not have worked as well on my chestnut, but it looks great. It will look pretty on grays, blacks, bays, chestnuts, roans of all base colors, spotties of various types. I think it is a pretty universally flattering color.
I had problems with the fit on past ES pads, but the more recent ones I’ve gotten seem to fit Jax much better. I’m not sure if it was an adjustment in pattern or perhaps some I got in the past were just not good runs, but this pad fits him great. It’s not the perfect fit, but it’s above average.
The quality of materials is super. The stitching is tight and lovely. The ease of care on this one will be much better since the binding is black. I’ve had issues with lighter colored bindings in the past staining super easily…and with keeping special trims (pearls, rhinestones) in good shape. This one is much easier to care for.
The prices of ES pads are kinda all over the place, but this one is their standard $89 US dollar pricing. It’s been much better buying these since they started selling in US dollars vs having to do exchange rate dances like it used to be. I do think the pricing is on par with pads of similar quality these days. Even cheap pads aren’t that much less expensive these days. They’ve conditioned us to get used to spending more on these silly things…but man do I love saddle pads!
I would absolutely buy this pad on my own (which is why I’m considering buying some matching accessories…since I didn’t’ have to buy the pad). If you love purple, you’re going to love this collection and the fact that sales of this collection help such an important organization is even better! Don’t forget to shop this month if you want to have your money go to #WeRideTogether to support an important cause! And don’t forget to head over to our IG and Facebook to enter to win a free jump set!
