It’s that moment before you go into your class. The ring steward opens the gate, and you sit up a little taller in the saddle, giving your starched shirt one last tuck in. You gather up your horse and head into the pen thinking that no matter the final placings, you’re here for a good ride. Showing takes a lot of time, money, and passion, but when you’re outfitted in the best, it makes each ride just a little sweeter. GoHorseShow has the inside scoop on the much-anticipated relaunch of Good Ride Life Apparel, read on for the latest.
If you’re anything like most exhibitors, you’ve likely been a fan of the Good Ride clothing line since it burst onto the scene in 2009. However, throughout the past couple of years, you may have also found yourself searching for a Good Ride shirt and wondering where they all went. Thanks to Dr. John Peck and family, Good Ride is now back and better than ever.
Good Ride Life Apparel was founded by Hannah and Ronnie Casper, and thanks to its trademark quality and style, quickly became a staple for the top riders in the industry. In 2014, the company changed hands, and while still popular, production declined, which meant it got tougher to find the Good Ride gear you wanted to wear. That’s where longtime fans of the line Dr. John Peck and wife Leigh Ann come in.
Last October, they found themselves shopping at the Congress Trade Show and wondering where the Good Ride booth was. It happened to come up in a casual conversation later at Congress that the brand may be available for purchase. A deal was struck, and in February of 2017 the Peck family of Ashland, Ohio became the new owners of Good Ride. As Peck says, “We didn’t set out to purchase a clothing line, but we’ve always worn Good Ride clothes, and this seemed like a great opportunity.”
Back to the Best
Since the acquisition, Peck has assembled an elite team to bring back the quality and polished style that Good Ride has always been known. This team has been working nonstop to re-launch the brand with both classics and some exciting new directions. Peck has brought back some of the line’s original manufacturers to establish a high standard of consistent, quality construction of the apparel. As Peck says, “We are taking it back to quality, we want the best quality and that is our focus.”
With the relaunch, you can expect to find more of the brand’s staples, quality shirts that create a winning look in the show pen. The Good Ride team has also brought on an exciting team of new graphic designers who will be creating modern, fashion-forward designs.
What’s New
While Good Ride is going back to what it’s always done best under its new ownership, you can be sure that a lot of exciting expansions are already underway. One of the first new enterprises for Good Ride will be the debut of After 5 by Good Ride, a line of casual wear items fit for after the show dinner and drinks or any “after five” kinds of occasion. After 5 will feature premium leather jackets, resort-style shirts, accessories and more for both men and women. When you’re heading to the show pen, you know can reach into your closet and pull out any Good Ride shirt and look your best, now, with After 5 by Good Ride, whenever you step out, you’ll always have something stylish.
Also new for Good Ride will be a sleek, user-friendly website, www.mygoodride.com, and a significant social media presence, which will mean giveaways and promotions for all Good Ride fans. Look for Good Ride on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and watch for chances to show off your favorite Good Ride win pics and looks for chances to win gift certificates.
You’re Invited
Along with the focus on bringing back better than ever style and quality and fresh designs, Good Ride is bringing things back to what we love about showing – having a good time. The company is a family operation, John and wife Leigh Ann along with children Johnny and Miranda, are loyal fans of the brand and what horse-showing is all about. With that in mind, the brand is now poised to make a big splash at this year’s All American Quarter Horse Congress. Not only is Good Ride a corporate sponsor, but they’ll also be hosting Nashville artists, the Adam Calvert Band, in concert at The Round Bar in Colombus, Ohio. This Good Ride special event, slated for October 21st, will feature free entrance to the show and prize giveaways.
Good Ride founder Ronnie Casper is excited to see the brand heading in new directions, saying, “Congratulations to the Peck family from Ronnie and Hannah Casper. We’re looking forward to this year’s Congress and seeing Good Ride bigger and better than ever before.”
Only At Good Ride
For a brief period, you may have been able to find Good Ride items at other vendors, but moving forward Good Ride apparel will be exclusively sold through Good Ride. Peck explains, “For now, we’re going to keep things in-house so that our customers know that we stand behind the items.”
As a testament to that mission, Good Ride will offer convenient online shopping through their new website as well as free shipping. Good Ride will also have a presence on the road at major circuits and plans to make Good Ride available in a lot of venues with even more styles of show and casual apparel to debut in 2018.
CLICK HERE to view one of Good Ride’s ads in the August issue of GoMag
CLICK HERE to view another ad in the August issue of GoMag
About the Author: A native Michigander, Rachel Kooiker is a lover of horses who loves to write. She graduated from Grand Valley State University with a BA in English and Psychology and an MA in Curriculum & Instruction. She competes in all-around Amateur events with her APHA gelding, Hoos Real. Together with husband Drew, she helps to operate Kooiker Show Horses, where they stand APHA World Champion Im the Secret.
Photos courtesy of Good Ride
