Less than a week ago, a grassroots movement to bolster community pride and strength via equestrian riding shirts was envisioned by Parkland residents Dawn Watt, owner-trainer of Wattland II and Marjory Stoneman Douglas (MSD) High School in Parkland Florida Mom; Sally Mitchell, MSD Mom and Equestrian Community Leader, and Ellie Scofield, Owner of Spectrum Saddle Shop and Galloways Farm.
This project has been given unparalleled support by Ariat International and Noble Outfitters, two of the largest apparel companies in the equestrian business. Beth Cross, CEO of Ariat was one of the first people to reach out to Ellie on the phone as soon as she heard this project was in the works. Noble Outfitters was excited to join in and readily offered to ship shirts to Parkland as soon as possible.
The English and Western shirts branded with the #MSDStrong insignia have blossomed into a labor of love that now also includes Penny George of Spread The Love Studios who is providing all lettering free of charge.
Deliveries from Ariat and Noble Outfitters are expected to arrive in 7-10 days, sooner if we are lucky, and then the work will begin to get the shirts emblazoned with the #MSDStrong insignia. The shirts will be available while they last to Parkland community riders free of charge and to the wider community for a donation which will go to the Stoneman Douglas Victims Fund, coordinated by the Broward Education Foundation (501c3).
Interested parties should email ellie@spectrumsaddleshop.com or sallymtch@gmail.com.
