Meet Your Neighbor: Connie DeMaio

Meet Connie, a lifelong equestrian, professional rider and trainer (and a local realtor). She now adds a new accomplishment – co-founder of Redingote Equestrian, a line of unique, fashionable and functional outerwear for riders.

My Equestrian Background: 

I was raised in the Colts Neck horse community. My father worked with Standardbred race horses for many years. When I was three years old, my mom found out my father was throwing my sister and me on the bare backs of the horses and instantly signed us up for lessons! That’s when we started competing all over New Jersey.

Inspiration for Redingote: 

As an adult I continued to compete, train horses and coach clients, many achieving numerous titles and honors. While teaching in the cold indoors and doing winter barn chores, I would always wear a vintage one-piece coverall (that I picked up at an estate sale). It was an essential piece of gear for me during the winter. Clients and fellow trainers were constantly inquiring about it and where to find one. I then realized there was nothing out there for women and definitely nothing out there for equestrians. That’s when Redingote was born. I teamed up with my friend, Allison Malenfant. I brought the equestrian side and she has a great background in fashion.

How Redingote is Unique: 

We have lots of functional and thoughtful details for riders, like a pocket for a crop, a durable ring to hang your spurs or gloves, a designated pocket for treats with a wipeable liner but the BEST part is that you can step in and out of your Redingote Jumper with your boots on. Riders now have technical outwear that takes away all the bulk. You can wear Redingote over your basic riding attire (jean/breeches and a long sleeve) and it keeps you warm, dry, and clean (its waterproof too). People from all walks of life have bought our jumper, using it for dog-walking on cold, blustery nights, shoveling snow and even après-ski. I love to see how our suit has bettered long winter days at the stable for both professionals and backyard equestrians. I love that women feel confident while wearing Redingote!

What’s Next: 

Horses are not just a passion to me, it’s a lifestyle. I love that my family is involved with the horses and that I can pass down the tradition of the equestrian lifestyle to my daughter, Rose (who has already attended a couple of horse shows at 6 months old!) My husband Mike, Rose, and I love heading to the barn or going to a local horse show on a Sunday. There are so many fun shows right here in Monmouth County! Right now, we’re focusing on our winter collection but do have a spring and summer line in the works. And we will be introducing a line of jumpsuits shortly for warm weather which will consist of even more functional features. We are really excited about that! We also love to support our sponsored riders and teams of all different disciplines throughout the country. Check out our website for our upcoming events.

Where to find Redingote styles: 

Riders can learn more about Redingote and find our apparel by visiting redingoteequestrian.com or by checking us out on Instagram @redingote_equestrian.