OUR STORY
Our family hails from the comfort and convenience of a suburban neighborhood in Riverside County, Southern California. Growing up, we spent our days playing sports, riding bikes around the neighborhood, and soaking up the sun at the beach. The slow paced rural country lifestyle was completely foreign to us. Horses were something we'd only ever encountered on a pony ride at the fair—nothing more than a passing curiosity.
As parents, we naturally wanted our kids to experience the activities we enjoyed as children. So, when our son, Liam, was about five, we introduced him to baseball. We quickly became dedicated "baseball parents," devoting countless hours to practices and games. Meanwhile, our daughter, Abby-Jo, was still exploring what extracurricular activities sparked her interest when the world came to a sudden halt due to the COVID pandemic.
One moment, we were entrenched in baseball three to four times a week; the next, we were confined to our homes with no activities, no outdoor playdates, and no normalcy. After three months of isolation, one evening Abby-Jo surprised us all when she walked down the stairs and said, "Mama, I want to learn how to ride a horse." Stunned and caught off guard, I responded with a simple, noncommittal answer. I texted my husband, working night shifts at the hospital, and we both shared a puzzled glance, unsure of how to proceed.
Like so many of us do in this day and age, we turned to Google and typed "horse riding near me." To our amazement, we found a charming, family-run barn just seven minutes from our house! They were hosting a youth riding camp the very next week. We signed Abby-Jo up, and within days, she was in heaven. She loved it so much that we signed her up for the camp again the following week.
During that camp, we learned they were starting a riding team in the fall. We could see Abby-Jo had found her true passion. By the time her eighth birthday arrived, she was riding three days a week, learning everything she could about horses and growing in her skills.
After several months of western riding, focusing on barrel racing and rodeo events, Abby-Jo decided she wanted to try something new—jumping. This meant finding a new barn that specialized in English riding, and thankfully, we found one nearby.
It's fascinating that my husband and I grew up in this area and never knew about the tight-knit equestrian community just around the corner.
A year later, watching his younger sister's passion grow, Liam, our reserved and non-adventurous son, decided he wanted to give riding a try. He's always had a love for animals, so we thought he'd enjoy it. From his very first lesson, he was hooked, and his trainers were immediately impressed with how quickly he picked it up.
With two kids riding several days a week at two different barns, horses quickly became a central part of our lives. In the summer of 2020, knowing absolutely nothing about horses, we dove headfirst into learning everything we could. My husband, especially, asked countless questions and soaked up every bit of knowledge he could find. Though it was overwhelming at times, seeing our kids thriving and learning kept us motivated to fully invest in this new world we'd discovered.
By the winter of 2022, a job relocation brought us to eastern Tennessee. One of our first priorities after settling in was finding a barn for our kids to continue riding. After some frustrating phone calls and barn visits, we finally found a welcoming barn where Abby-Jo could continue jumping while learning dressage, and Liam could transition from rodeo to ranch riding. We immediately felt at home.
After a year of living in Tennessee, we thought it would be incredible to create a clothing label to honor our children’s journey and love for horses. And that's how Colt & Filly Clothing was born! As we continue to learn the ins and outs of e-commerce, we're incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement we've received. Most of all, we’re thankful for everyone who's invested in our kids' growth and their deep passion for horses.
This journey has been a testament to how life can surprise you, leading you down unexpected paths, and showing you passions and connections you never anticipated. From our suburban beginnings to a love of horses that has transformed our entire family, every step has been an adventure in growth, learning, and faith. What started as a curiosity in a pony ride became a family tradition, and a business that honors our children’s love for horses and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Colt & Filly Clothing is not just a brand—it's a reflection of our family’s story, and a celebration of the bonds that horses have created in our lives. We are so excited to continue growing this journey with you, and we hope our designs bring the same joy, faith, and passion for horses that we have found along the way. Thank you for being a part of this adventure with us!
