Ariat
{{Short description|American equestrian apparel brand}}
{{Infobox company
|name = Ariat International, Inc.
|logo = Ariat Logo.png
|logo_size = 125px
|type = Private
|founder = Beth Cross, Pam Parker
|foundation = 1993
|location = Union City, California, United States
|area_served = Worldwide
|industry = Sportswear
|products = Riding boots
Cowboy boots
Work boots
| homepage = [http://www.ariat.com/ www.ariat.com]
}}
Ariat is an American footwear, apparel and accessories brand for equestrian sports, work industries and other outdoor activities, located in Union City, California. Ariat was launched by Beth Cross and Pam Parker in 1993. It has since become a popular brand in performance footwear for English and Western horseback riding. As of 2023, Ariat is the largest equestrian sports brand in the world.
History
Ariat was founded in 1993 by Stanford Business School classmates Beth Cross and Pam Parker. While working for Bain & Company and consulting to Reebok, the co-founders saw an opportunity to apply athletic shoe technology to English and Western riding boots. They named their new company after Secretariat, the famous Triple Crown champion racehorse in honor of his "huge heart and competitive spirit."{{cite web|title=Ariat brand named after Secretariat|url=https://pbr.com/news/2023/05/the-smartest-thing-to-do-at-world-finals-might-just-be-running-a-race-in-ariat-boots|website=Professional Bull Riders |access-date=May 9, 2023}} The same year it was founded, Ariat released its first two boot styles, then went on to hire a number of equestrians and horse enthusiasts.{{cite web|author=Hahn, Esther|url=https://sf.racked.com/2015/3/27/8296781/what-the-team-at-ariat-wears-to-work|title=What the Team at Ariat Wears to Work|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|date=27 March 2015|accessdate=25 August 2020}} In the years following the company's launch, it expanded into new performance western and English apparel, as well as workwear.{{cite web|url=https://www.outsideonline.com/2272376/rise-work-wear|title=The Rise of Work Wear|publisher=Outsideonline.com|date=8 January 2018|accessdate=25 August 2020}} The company also expanded its distribution in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Mexico, and Japan.{{cite web|url=https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/ariat-expands-partnership-with-us-equestrian|title=Ariat Expands Partnership with US Equestrian|publisher=USEF|accessdate=25 August 2020}}
In 2009, Ariat became the official boot sponsor of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR).{{cite web|url=https://pbr.com/news/2009/06/ariat-becomes-pbr-s-newest-corporate-partner/|title=Ariat Becomes PBR's Newest Corporate Partner|date=11 June 2009|accessdate=25 August 2020}} In 2015, Ariat signed a sponsorship deal with the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI).{{cite web|url=https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2015/04/19/ariat-fei-sponsorship-deal/|title=Ariat foots it with the FEI in new sponsorship deal |publisher=Horsetalk.co.nz|date=19 April 2015|accessdate=25 August 2020}} In 2017, Ariat joined partners with the non-profit Jared Allen's Homes For Wounded Warriors, an organization which builds homes for injured war veterans.{{cite web|url=https://stablemanagement.com/industry-news-information/ariat-partners-jared-allens-homes-wounded-warriors|title=Ariat Partners with Jared Allen's Homes For Wounded Warriors|publisher=Stablemanagement.com|date=28 May 2017|accessdate=25 August 2020}}
In 2018, Ariat announced that they were continuing their partnership with the US Equestrian Federation (USEF), and Cross was awarded "Entrepreneur of the Year" in the Consumer Driven category by Ernst & Young.{{cite web|url=https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/alumni/contact/alumni-association/about-alumni/elizabeth-cross|title=Elizabeth Cross, MBA '88|publisher=Stanford Business School|accessdate=25 August 2020}} As of 2020, Ariat is reportedly the largest equestrian footwear and apparel company in the world.{{cite web|url=https://westernwomen.com/wwom-beth-cross/|title=WWOM: Beth Cross|publisher=Westernwomen.com|accessdate=25 August 2020}}
Product design
Ariat manufactures boots in the United States, Mexico, Asia and Europe.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/josephdeacetis/2020/05/05/the-american-cowboy-boot-makes-a-great-comeback/#72f0389d56d7|title=The American Cowboy Boot Makes A Great Comeback|work=Forbes|date=5 May 2020|accessdate=25 August 2020}}
Co-founder Beth Cross worked with biomechanical research groups and testing labs in the making of Ariat's boots,{{cite web|author=Agnew, Danny|url=https://www.insidehook.com/article/shoes/ariat-is-the-dopest-boot-company-youve-never-heard-of|title=Ariat Is the Dopest Boot Company You've Never Heard Of|publisher=InsideHook|date=29 April 2009|accessdate=25 August 2020}} which are designed to be durable in outdoor environments, with patented Duratread outsoles,{{cite web|url=http://www.equinechronicle.com/ariat-launches-new-waterproof-english-country-boots-for-fall-2015/|title=Ariat Launches New Waterproof English Country Boots for Fall 2015|newspaper=The Equine chronicle|date=12 December 2014|accessdate=25 August 2020}} and patented Advanced Torque Stability technology, (ATS), a multi-layered lightweight sole with a gel-cushioned footbed and a heel stabilizer to provide more support while riding.The boots are made to last up to five years maybe longer if well taken-care of.{{cite web|url=https://www.ridingmagazine.com/oldsite/riding_onlinemag/articles/2014_10/ariat.htm|title=Feet First|magazine=Riding Magazine|date=October 2014|accessdate=25 August 2020}} In the late 1990s they introduced Hexcel cushioning technology for shock absorption while riding and on the ground, and introduced Cobalt technology in the early 2000s for further cushioning support.{{cite web|url=https://www.ddtexasoutfitters.com/blog/an-ariat-story|title=An Ariat Story|publisher=D&D Texas Outfitters|date=4 February 2018|accessdate=25 August 2020}}
In 2006, the firm ventured into making western apparel, including woven shirts, tops and outdoor clothing for men and women. The clothing incorporates flame-resistant technology, which came into demand from the oil workers of Colorado.{{cite web|author=Boyce, Dan|url=https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/post/inside-energy-oilfield-towns-boom-flame-resistant-clothing#stream/0|title=Inside Energy: In Oilfield Towns, A Boom In Flame Resistant Clothing|publisher=Wyoming Public Media|date=24 July 2015|accessdate=25 August 2020}} In 2018, Ariat released their waterproof {{Proper name|FR HiVis H2O Proof Jacket}}.{{cite web|author=Fischbach, Amy|url=https://www.tdworld.com/electric-utility-operations/article/20971698/ariat-to-showcase-fr-highvis-jacket-at-linemans-expo|title=Ariat to Showcase FR High-Vis Jacket at Lineman's Expo|publisher=T&D World|date=24 September 2018|accessdate=25 August 2020}} Their waterproof {{Proper name|Workhog H2O Boots}} use a U-turn entry system to make them easier to put on.{{cite web|author=Fasanella, Allie|url=https://footwearnews.com/2020/shop/boots/slip-resistant-western-boots-men-amazon-1202946338/|title=These Men's Slip-Resistant Western Boots Will Keep You Safe on Your Feet|publisher=Footwear News|date=13 March 2020|accessdate=25 August 2020}}
Sponsorship
Ariat is the official footwear sponsor of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), and the title sponsor of the Ariat World Series of Team Roping (WSTR), the largest adult community of roping athletes.{{cite web|url=http://www.pbr.com/en/national-partners.aspx|title=Professional Bull Riders - National Partners|publisher=Professional Bull Riders|accessdate=25 August 2020}}
Ariat was featured in the 2015 movie The Longest Ride, a Nicholas Sparks film about a PBR athlete who is making his way back in bull riding after a life-threatening injury.{{cite web |url=http://footwearnews.com/2015/influencers/uncategorized/ariat-boots-to-star-in-the-longest-ride-on-scott-eastwood-16574/ |title=Ariat Boots to Star on Scott Eastwood in 'The Longest Ride' |first=Barbara |last=Schneider-Levy|date=9 March 2015 |publisher=Footwear News}}
Since 2022, Ariat has been the primary sponsor of the Texas Rattlers of the PBR Team Series; held every summer through autumn in the United States.{{cite web|title=Texas Rattlers|url=https://www.ariat.com/texasrattlers|website=Ariat|access-date=June 27, 2024}}
In 2024, Ariat sponsored 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.