Weather Or Not Equestrian Founder Rachel Geiger Barker (second from left) at the 2001 Devon Horse Show, as her Dream Date is First Year Green Hunter Champion with Louise Serio. Serio also rode Gray Slipper to the Reserve Championship. Photo by James Leslie Parker
Rachel Geiger Barker bought her first pair of tall boots at Malvern Saddlery in Pennsylvania, just minutes down the road from the famed Devon Horse Show.
When she returns to the tack shop ahead of Devon's 127th edition, instead of making a purchase, she'll be making sales.
Founded in 1992, Malvern Saddlery is one of the largest retailers carrying Geiger Barker's Stay Dry Breech—the best-seller of her Weather Or Not (WON) Equestrian apparel brand. Launched last year, Weather Or Not Equestrian's breeches have redefined the all-weather riding pant, boasting a revolutionary combination of comfort, functionality, style and weatherproofing. The Stay Dry Breech is both water resistant and mud and dirt repellent.
"I have been going to Devon as a competitor since 2001, and I've lived about 15 minutes from Devon for more than 20 years," Geiger Barker said. "My mom actually helped Malvern Saddlery develop their custom ordering line when I was in middle school. [Owner] Jill Apfelbaum has always been a big believer in the [Weather Or Not Equestrian] brand and wants to see us succeed."
Rachel Geiger Barker riding Aeropostale (left) and Sultana Z (right) in 2008. Photos by Randi Muster.
Devon 2023 will mark WON Equestrian's Devon debut, a meaningful and reminiscent homecoming for Geiger Barker. Her horse Dream Date was the Grand Hunter Champion of Devon's local day and jumped to the First Year Green Hunter Championship with Louise Serio at Devon in 2001.
Geiger Barker herself rode Midnight Date to the Reserve Championship in Devon's Amateur-Owner Hunter division in 2006. Aeropostale was another successful Devon partner in the A-Os, while Sultana Z jumped the Adult Amateur Jumper division. In those shows in the iconic Dixon Oval, Geiger Barker experienced all the elements.
"Devon is a great place for WON Equestrian to be," Geiger Barker said. "I say that the brand was conceived locally, and we know that Devon weather can traditionally be dicey. We can provide a great product for people, no matter what the weather decides to do."
Weather Or Not Equestrian's Stay Dry Breech is available in black, tan and white. Photos by Catie Staszak Media.
In addition to Malvern Saddlery, The Boot & Bridle will offer a selection of WON Equestrian products for sale at Devon. The tack shop will have a presence onsite, and a week of special events are planned among the vendors at Devon's Country Fair.
Rachel Geiger Barker and Midnight Date in 2006. Photo by H. Wendt.