Hilary says “It gives me great pleasure to see my boots work in all events whether nationally team chasing, locally hunter trialling or at the Olympics. I know that the overreach boots make competing a safer in what is a dangerous sport. I understand we now have 10% of the overreach boot market worldwide.”
After months of designing, testing, changing and more testing the Westropp Over-reach Boot was ready for the market. Taking Germany by storm in 1986 it won the Best New Product award at Spoga. Many event riders saw the boots and chose to use them in preference to the old fashioned bell boots. Launched in many colours the range by 2006 had slimmed to just 5.
In 2000 Hilary was approached by Stylo Matchmaker to design a range of boots for the market. Her simple guiding philosophies in developing the boots was cleanliness of design, comfort for the horse and the correct boot for the job for each equestrian sphere. After a lifetime with horses Hilary knows that safety at all times is paramount.
When the original range was expanded in 2002, Hilary worked with Colin Jaggard, an experienced designer in his own right, to ensure that the products being produced were exactly what was required. In the change over to Shires, Colin has remained working with Hilary to ensure that those vitals tweaks are made. Two pairs of eyes are better than one!
The name in equestrian comfort and technology.
It's all about the boots!
The original concept for the Westropp Over-Reach Boot came about when Hilary Westropp, BHSI and International Dressage judge, trained a girl who was leading a major competition. The horse stood on an upturned over-reach boot in the middle of the cross-country phase and both rider and horse fell. Hilary was insipred to try to create a concept that could make an already dangerous sport safer.
