Rider Review: Ariat Windmere Boots

I had a quick search of the Ariat website but I'm not sure they sell these boots anymore which is a massive pity as I'd have bought another pair in a heartbeat.

Winter 2012

I picked up my pair on offer at the RDS Dublin Horse Show in Ireland in August 2012. Getting them back to Luxembourg travelling with a budget airline in the hottest month of the year was interesting and a fun start to my life with them as i wore them home ;-)
I got them at almost €100 off, to say I was delighted would be an understatement. I adore them and have gotten so much wear out of them. Heck I practically live in them during the Autumn/Winter and even some Spring months.

Pre-cleaning today

I wear them daily to go to the yard on my lunch break to turn out the little darlings and have ridden in them before but prefer my jodh boots & gaiters as my feet/ankles felt too loose in the Windmeres. However that is a personal preference and not a reflection on the boot itself which is made to be ridden in as well as worn for "country" wear.

Post-cleaning today

I will hold my hand up and admit that I have not always taken the best care of my boots, but as can be seen from the photos accompanying this blogpost they clean up alright when I bother. I have been known to wear them to my office job and in fact cleaned them up today to take me to the theater to see West Side Story :-D
Now I would never lay claim to being a fashionista in any way shape or form, but these are a fab multi-purpose boot that take me from everyday life to the yard and back.

My boots at the theater today

These boots have kept my feet dry & warm in rain and snow and have great grip when walking on icy routes.
Now that it would appear (from my brief google) that the production of these boots has been discontinued I shall be scouring the net for a back up pair for if/when mine give up the ghost.

Nancy sussing out the new arena surface

In actual pony news I got both girls ridden this morning for quick spins after their vaccines last week. Kika was an angel in a busy arena as we worked through our paces. W/T/C without asking for too much or breaking a sweat.
Nancy was a superstar in the largest arena just the two of us as we tested out the new surface. It is a bit deep at the moment but that probably worked in our favour as we struggle with my teething problems ;-)