Introducing ARIAT

Introducing ARIAT

Ariat are renowned for their technologically innovative equestrian and country footwear and we are delighted to announce we've added them to our premium country footwear range.

Founded in 1993 by Beth Cross and Pam Parker, Arait was borne from a vision to bring performance technology to riders who were dealing with inadequate equipment.  Today, Ariat is America's number one English and Western performance footwear, with the Ariat bug quickly catching all over Europe too.

The brand is supported by top equestrian athletes.  Here are some of the Great British riders who trust in Ariat to carry them through their disciplines...

William Fox-Pitt (GBR)

Discipline - Eventing

Hometown - Hinton St Mary, Dorset

Number of years riding - 40

Main career accomplishments to date:

• • World no 1
• • 6 x Burghley wins
• • Badminton win
• • Team silver and Individual bronze, WEG 2014
• • Individual bronze, Europeans 2013
• • 6 team gold medals, Europeans
• • Olympic team silver x2 and team bronze
• • World team gold, silver and bronze

 William shared with Ariat...

Tell us about your first horse/pony

Mini Monster - she was very kind, as I was very nervous!

How did you get started in your discipline?

Through my mother and the Pony Club.

Mentor/idol when growing up?

Lars Sederholm

Proudest career moment?

My first Burghley

Why do you ride?

I love horses!

If you weren't a professional rider, what would you be?

A poultry fancier!

Favourite holiday destination?

Italy

How do you unwind?

With my children.

Do you have a good luck charm, and if so, what is it?

No

Anne-Marie Perry (GBR)

Discipline - Dressage

Hometown - Elwick, Hartlepool

Number of years riding - I can”t ever remember not riding, Mum says I was quieter on a pony than in a pram!

Main career accomplishments to date:

• • 2014 - Winner of Intermediate II class at Myerscough Premier League with Feine Dame.
• • 2013 - Winner of three classes at Myerscough Premier league on two horses, Chiara and Feine Dame, all in one day!
• • 2008 - Competed at Hickstead International CDI winning the entire Young Rider Tour with Aristo.
• • 2006 - Competed in the Young Rider section at the European Championships and returned home as Best British Rider with World Classic.
• • 2005 - Represented Great Britain on many occasions and at the European Championships as a junior rider.
• • 2004 - Represented Great Britain successfully on several occasions including competing in Roosendaal and Limburg in Holland, Addington in England and as part of the Junior European team in Denmark with Forrest Fire and was the Best British Rider.

Anne-Marie shared with Ariat...

Tell us about your first horse/pony

My first pony was called Bobby Doughnut. He was a skewbald Shetland with a very short temper with everyone except me! Apparently I was so determined to get on him by myself once, that I tried to climb up his leg to reach the stirrup! We had so much fun growing up together and later on, regularly had “real life buckaroo” competitions where we would see how many of us could get on him before he decided he had had enough, and buck us all off!!

How did you get started in your discipline?

I started out with a very diverse range of ponies from jumping to mounted games and pony club ponies and was always quite successful, but rarely won any competitions. When mum went to an affiliated dressage competition she was competing at with her ex-racehorse (which flatly refused to jump anymore!) she took me along with my Welsh Section D, Maeseyfron Rhett, so I could have a go as well. We promptly won our two classes and qualified for the Regional Championships. I thought “I like this dressage lark!” and never looked back from there!

Mentor/idol when growing up?

When growing up I was madly in love with Duncan from the boy band Blue!

Proudest career moment?

This has to be winning the Intermediate II this year (2014) at Myerscough Premier league with Feine Dame. I have spent 8 years training her to Grand Prix level and to have her win a big class in her first season at the level was incredible!

Why do you ride?

I love my horses!

If you weren”t a professional rider, what would you be?

I always thought I would like to be an RAF pilot, though I”m not sure how that would have worked out as I”m not too keen on heights!

Favourite holiday destination?

Has to be anywhere in the Lake District. Its only two hours” drive for us and to have such beauty on our doorstep is incredible.

How do you unwind?

I like to take our two dogs for a walk with my fiancé, Phil.

Do you have a good luck charm, and if so, what is it?

My good luck charm is a bright pink diamante brow band that Forrest Fire was wearing when we won our first championship title. It goes everywhere with us and is hung up in the living area in our lorry.

Tina Fletcher (GBR)

Discipline - Show jumping

Hometown - Faringdon, Oxfordshire.

Number of years riding - I”ve been riding since I was 3 years old. Far too long!

Main career accomplishments to date:

• • Hickstead Derby winner - only female winner in 40 years - 2011
• • 2nd place - Hickstead Derby - 2010
• • Winner of the Hickstead Super League Nations Cup team
• • Winner of the Austrian Nations Cup
• • 2nd place - Falsterbo, Sweden - Super League Nations Cup
• • 3 time winner of Queen Elizabeth II Cup
• • Double clear and 2nd place in Aga Khan at Dublin RDS
• • Winner of the HOYS Puissance, jumping 7ft 4ins
• • Winner at Olympia
• • 2nd place at the British Masters Grand Prix, 2014
• • Reserve member of London 2012 Olympic team

Tina shared with Ariat...

Tell us about your first horse/pony

My first pony was an amazing black 12.2hh pony called Rockafella. He won everything we entered and was definitely responsible for my love of show jumping.

How did you get started in your discipline?

My mother rode and encouraged my sisters and I and drove us all around the country with our ponies.

Mentor/idol when growing up?

Eddie Macken was my idol when I was growing up. It was in the days when he had Boomerang and the partnership they had was beautiful to watch. It was pretty surreal a few years later when I was competing against him and sometimes beating him!

Proudest career moment?

My proudest moment is split between winning the Hickstead Derby and winning the Nations Cup at Hickstead with a double clear. It is the last time that Britain has won our own Nations Cup and it is a great feeling.

Why do you ride?

I ride because I love it. I love winning, but also I love to produce young horses and see them progress.

If you weren”t a professional rider, what would you be?

Luckily my job is my hobby and I love it, but I think I would have worked with children if I hadn't gone jumping.

Favourite holiday destination?

The Caribbean - beautiful beaches, blue sky and sun.

How do you unwind?

I don't get much time for that! I love the theatre and spending time with my two boys, watching them play football and rugby.

Do you have a good luck charm and if so, what is it?

No good luck charm, but I am quite superstitious.

Rachael Claridge (GBR)

Discipline - Endurance

Hometown - Badminton, Gloucestershire

Number of years riding - 36

Main career accomplishments to date:

• • Commentating at the World Equestrian Games 2014 for FEI TV on endurance day, the second best thing to riding the 160km FEI ride, but without the rain, mud and nerves!
• • Coaching a non-endurance riding client on my own horses who went on to complete the Mongol Derby 2014 (1000km in 10 days on 30 horses!)
• • Golden Horse Shoe Exmoor Extra three day 120km challenge - 1st place 2014
• • Qualifying as a UKCC Level 3 endurance coach in 2013
• • Team GBR bronze medal in the South African Endurance Championships 2009
• • World Endurance Championships, Dubai 2005
• • European Young Riders Championships 1997 (UK) 1999 (Germany)

Rachael shared with Ariat... 

Tell us about your first horse/pony

Magic - an 11.3hh grey Dartmoor cross mare, who was terrified of heavy traffic and loved mud. She taught my sister and I how to really ride, wash and plait up ponies to pass rigorous pony club inspections and tests!

How did you get started in your discipline?

As a family we used to go on pleasure rides and go hunting with the East Cornwall Hunt. Mum had qualified for the Golden Horse Shoe when we lived at Marlborough 35 years ago on her grey hunter, Trampus, so when a British Long Distance Riding competition was held on Bodmin Moor we all entered and then got hooked.

Mentor/idol when growing up?

My parents! Plus former European champion, Jill Thomas, and Team GBR gold medal winner, Jane James, who mentored me from the age of 15 after I took part in a team relay with them. Shortly after my Pony Club pony injured herself in the field I bought Jane's thoroughbred mare Cornish Mead, who is the dam of Prince Meliodas, my current part-bred Arabian gelding. I crewed for Jill at the Southall European Championships and both Jane and Jill encouraged me to ride for the Team GBR Young Riders squad. Jane crewed for me at Young Rider and the Senior World Championships in the UAE and we all remain friends 20 years on.

Proudest career moment?

Winning the FEI 3* 160km Cirencester Park race with Silver Mistrahl and picking up the Best Condition Award - he is still an awesome horse, now aged 24 years.

Why do you ride?

I'm mad and I love it! Training and competing in all weathers isn't necessarily everyone's idea of fun but completing the Golden Horse Shoe which always clashes with the notorious bad weather of the Ten Tors weekend is some achievement - Meliodas in particular loves this course on Exmoor whatever the weather. He's a trooper, so I have to be as good as him to help him cover the distances asked for!

If you weren”t a professional rider, what would you be?

A hotel manager. I decided not to go into hospitality after working for a hotel in Plymouth as a teenager and realised it wouldn't give me the hours to allow me to train and compete my horses.

Favourite holiday destination?

Cornwall, my childhood home and where my parents and my retired horses live. You can't beat Bodmin Moor or the Cornish coastline! Or, the USA, I'd love to go back to the ranch in Wyoming where I worked after university one day and go on a pack-trip into the Rocky Mountains with my husband so that he can see how wonderful Bitterroot Ranch is. The people are so friendly and I love the wide-open spaces!

How do you unwind?

I ride my horses, or take the labradors for a walk ending up at our local pub with my husband! Yoga and pilates also help me de-stress, or a glass of wine!

Do you have a good luck charm, and if so, what is it?

I wear a white gold necklace with a solitaire diamond, which I bought as a memory of the World Endurance Championships, Dubai in 2005. A couple of years later when choosing a labrador puppy a yellow bitch leapt forward from the litter and grabbed the pendant. That was my Haya, now 8 years old.

SHOP ARIAT >

How to make the best sloe gin

How to make the best sloe gin

If you're brave enough to try the humble sloe on its own, you may find your face replicates that of a child tasting a lemon for the first time.  But with a dash of persistence and a dollop of patience, the astringent sloe can be transformed into a moreish liqueur that will warm your cockles on a cold day out in the field.

Sloes are part of the same family as plums, cherries and peaches and are the fruit of the blackthorn.  A densely growing bush, packed with thorns, it’s often used in hedgerows to keep livestock in check.

While the berries are usually ripe for picking in October or November, an excess of rain and low temperatures uncommon for the season have caused the sloes to start fruiting early.  So we are in for a bumper harvest this year. Tradition has it that many folk still wait for the first frost before they pick their sloes, indicating the sloes had been around long enough to be ripe.  However, the wet Summer means sloes are turning blue already.  A good way to check if they are ripe is to pop one in your mouth and if you can bare it, they are ready.  If your lips try to peel themselves away from your gums, they will need some more time.

Pick the sloes that have ripened in the sunshine, as these will be sweeter than those in the shade. It's best practice to pick from waist height upwards - this will leave plenty on the bushes for the wildlife and means you will collect the cleanest berries.

Now you have your sloes, here's how to make your sloe gin.  You will need;

Sloes (of course)

A decent Gin - enough to fill your bottle(s) of choice

Air tight bottle(s)

Caster Sugar

You will need enough sloes to half-fill the bottle(s) of your choice.  If you've had a successful picking spree it's a good idea to make batches.  The longer you leave your gin the better, so anything you don't drink this year will be fantastic next year.

Pop your sloes in the freezer overnight.  This will simulate the first frost, causing the skin to split on the berries, releasing their natural sweetness. Sterilise your bottles and half fill with the frozen sloes, and to the top with the gin.  Make sure you use a decent gin, cheap gin doesn't really do justice to your hard work.  Add two big spoonfuls of caster sugar and shake well for a minute.

Lay your full bottle on its side out of direct sunlight, preferably in a dark environment and twist the bottle 180 degrees every other day for two months.

Your beautifully prepared gin is best served on a crisp Winter day.

Cheers!

Top 5 British Walks For All The Family

Here at besinthecountry.co.uk, we are huge advocates of packing some weather proof clothing and exploring the great outdoors.  We have some real gems hidden away in our beautiful British countryside and we believe you don't need to live in the countryside to enjoy them.

Here we explore some of the best walks in the UK, that can be enjoyed by all.

Wheelchair Friendly Walks

There are countless walks in the UK that are suitable for wheelchairs (over 40 in the Somerset region alone).  A good one to start with is the River walk along Hawkridge water Park in Taunton, Somerset.  Here's a great website with lots of wheelchair friendly walks in the UK. www.walkswithwheelchairs.com

Kid Friendly Walks

A great walk for all the family, including little ones, is around Delamere Forest, in Cheshire. A well known circular route, less than a mile with toilets and cafe to make the inevitable pit stop for little ones.

Off Lead, Dog Friendly Walks

Not everywhere in the countryside welcomes dogs to roam off the lead.  But there are plenty of places that do! A great one to try is the North York Moors National Park.  Find out more... 

For The More Adventurous

Possibly the most romantic of peaks in the Lake District, Helvellyn will inspire the most regular of hikers. www.helvellyn.com

More Than Just A Walk

For those wanting to explore and learn about an area, the Shropshire Three Woods Walk would be a good place to start. With lovely view points, a castle, woodlands and railways to discover there's plenty to keep the easily distracted occupied. www.shropshirewalking.co.uk

A look back on 2014

Whilst we are looking forward to greeting 2015 as our 80th year in operation, we fondly reflect on 2014 as a year of trials, tribulations and great success. Here are the highlights of a great year for all things Country...

After many months of hard slog, late nights, hair pulling and gatherings in the board room we finally launched our new all singing and dancing ecommerce website.  As with all things digital there were a few teething issues, but we gratefully thank our loyal customers for bearing with us during that time. We are still constantly tweaking the site to bring our customers the best shopping experience possible. After all, we stick by our motto of 'Best in the Country!'.

On the back of our ecommerce growth our team expanded too. We hope to introduce you to the 'family' over the course of 2015 so you can get to know the people behind the scenes that make the magic happen.

2014 was our 33rd year of proudly supporting Barbour as an official stockist.  Over the years we have seen Barbour, as a brand, go from strength to strength on the back of demand for all things British Heritage.  Celebrating their 120th during 2014 we are excited to show you what they have in store for 2015.  As always you won't be disappointed so watch this space!

Talking of the ongoing Barbour success we were delighted to hear the announcement of Drapers awarding them Winner for Menswear Brand of The Year 2014. Rightfully deserved too!

Hunter, another growing British Heritage brand, launched their new and improved Norris Field Boot. With a new and improved rubber compound and other new technologies, Hunter have put themselves back on the map as a solid choice for country pioneers. We look forward to more new and improved ranges in 2015.

Meanwhile, in the field of technical field clothing we saw Musto shake up the market with the arrival of their new 3 layer system; the ultimate in providing comfort and performance in the field. Comprising of a merino wool base layer, a Primaloft midlayer and a new technical outerlayer the Musto 3 layer system has been a winner in the field. 

The Musto 3 Layer System

Whilst we saw our existing brands go from strength to strength we were pleasantly surprised by one of our new field clothing brands, UK newcomer, Baleno.  Well known in other parts of Europe, Baleno provides a beautiful range of contemporary, comfortable and functional field sports wear. Specialising in technical field wear suitable for all roles, Baleno clothing is built on a foundation of technical craftsmanship and a continuous drive for innovation. Baleno, as a new brand, has done really well for us and we were pleasantly surprised with how well it's been received in the field. We look forward to extending our range in 2015 to give you even more quality choice.

New for 2014; Baleno

Whilst many of you will be taking it easy over the festive break, perhaps treating yourself to another Barbour jacket (one is never enough) in our sale, we are full steam ahead preparing for the new year ahead of us.  We would like to take a moment out of our hectic schedule to pay thanks to our loyal and highly valued customers. Without whom we wouldn't have survived 2014, or the 78 years prior.

We sincerely wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

From the FRS Countrywear Family.

Christmas in the Country

There is nowhere more inviting to spend the Christmas season than in the countryside. The quintessential cosy fireside, a welcoming country pub and the wintery beauty of the rural landscape are idyllic images that will adorn many of the Christmas cards we send this year. 

In villages and rural towns up and down the country, you will find dedicated carol singers, wrapped up in thick winter coats, hats and gloves, often raising money for charity and drawing the community together, reminding us of the traditional importance of community spirit and charity during the winter months.

Traditionally at Christmas we celebrate life in the darkness by bringing Christmas trees, holly branches, ivy and mistletoe into the house as decoration. Stealing a quick kiss under the mistletoe is one of the few old English traditions to have thrived in the modern day. For many, the 'real' Christmas tree represents an idyllic Christmas in a luxurious country house or homely farmhouse. It is the focal point of the family celebrations; bringing young and old together to decorate it, having delicious mini treats hung from its branches and being the place where the family gather to open presents.

Of course no family Christmas would be complete without some boldly patterned knitwear, a splash of tartan or audacious animal motifs and, with British country style back in fashion, there will likely be many examples of the 'Christmas jumper' this festive season!

Making the most of the hearty winter fare available, a country Christmas dinner may include goose, pheasant or game pie, with a traditional Christmas pudding. With the family all eagerly gathered at the table, the man of the house will face his most stressful task of the year; attempting to carve the Christmas meat, without making a meal of it!

After all that gorging on wholesome country cuisine, a leisurely Christmas afternoon walk with the family is still a popular activity in rural communities. Donning a 'best' thick winter coat and comfy wellington boots, this provides a great opportunity to chat with neighbours and to savour the peace and tranquillity of the rural landscape after all the mayhem of preparing for the big day.

Boxing Day brings a more steady pace and many people will unwind by heading out for a relaxing horse ride or meeting for lunchtime drinks at a country pub.

So this year, wherever you're celebrating, why not unleash your country lady or gentleman, slip into some chunky knit or tartan and raise a glass to the British countryside!

Musto's Three Layer System for Field Attire

Musto's Storm Jacket.

Our favourite innovation for the AW14 field sports season is the 3 layer system of clothing from Musto. Designed to provide optimal performance and comfort for the long hours spent in the field, it addresses the need for; protection against the elements, insulation and breathability. The three layer clothing range utilises some superb new materials to offer you the highest quality.

Closest to your body, the base layer is breathable and wicking to draw moisture quickly away from the skin. This helps keep you comfortable and dry but also keeps you warm as moisture next to the skin can cause a drop in body temperature. Moisture is then transported through the layers to evaporate on the surface of the outer layer. The Musto Evolution Merino T-Shirt uses high quality, wicking Merino wool to offer you the greatest comfort.

An insulating mid-layer traps a layer of warm air close to the body. The Musto Primaloft® Bodywarmer utilises Primaloft® insulation. This extremely lightweight fibre lines the bodywarmer and provides exceptional insulation in a light, non-bulky garment.

Weatherproof Musto Storm Jacket

The outer layer needs to protect against the elements. Musto's Storm Jacket is an exceptional field jacket that will protect against wind and rain and the foulest weather conditions. In breathable GoreTex - renowned as the world's most waterproof fabric, it is lightweight and easy to wear. The Storm Jacket is packed out with functional shooting features such as an action back and underarm articulation for freedom of movement, an extra high, shaped collar for additional protection against the elements, cartridge pockets and a poachers pocket and a pull down waterproof seat flap.

While stocks last, receive a free Musto Primaloft® Gilet worth £150 when you purchase the Musto Storm Jacket.

Waterproof Country Clothing for a Rainy AW14

The arrival of October has brought with it some blustery rain and wind across the UK and there is a definite chill in the air. It's certainly got us all rushing for our trusty waterproofs! In this week's blog we'll introduce you to some of our favourite AW14 rainy day essentials...

Starting from the bottom, puddle proof your feet with the brand new Norris Field Boot from Hunter. Available in a selection of understated colours the Norris is the update of the Original, but with it's emphasis on function rather than fashion. Designed for everyday field and yard use this boot features a durable sole with wide zig-zag tread for good grip in varying terrains and a reinforced panel to the front to increase structure and support. The soft rubber compound construction ensures excellent levels of comfort.

Hunter Norris Field Boot

Fleece lined on the inside and waxed on the outside, the Sallygap Jacket from Jack Murphy is the perfect way to wrap up on cold, rainy days. Boasting a beautiful and popular style this is the AW14 update to last year's much loved Sallywood Jacket.

Jack Murphy Sallygap Jacket

When the rain starts to pour, a waxed hat is the simplest way to keep you dry without having to carry an umbrella. We love the Barbour Valerie Wax Hat and Olney Annabel

Barbour Valerie

Olney Annabelle

Barbour's Tartan Telescopic Umbrella is the ideal size to drop into your handbag for unexpected downpours, or for really foul days, the Barbour Painted Horse Golf Umbrella will keep you dry under a canopy featuring a picturesque rural scene.

Barbour Tartan Telescopic Umbrella

Barbour Painted Horse Umbrella