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Last Friday, I reviewed the Horze Women's Trista UV Sun Functional Shirt. I like that shirt a lot, especially for the price. At $29.95, it's a good, all around summer staple, and I want at least one more. Unfortunately for me, I also got a Kastel Denmark Charlotte Signature UV Short Sleeve Top in turquoise. I tried out the Horze shirt first because I didn't want to like the more expensive Kastel. I'll admit it, I am cheap and not influenced by name brands. If I can get the same quality in a lesser known brand, I am all over it.  As soon as I slipped it on though, I knew I was in trouble. Kastel just has the most amazing fabrics, and this one seems even more luxurious than my other three. The short sleeved Kastel boasts all of the same features that I admired in the Horze Trista: it's lightweight, dries quickly, has ventilated underarms, and provides up to 30 UV protection.  I don't know how, but the Kastel does it all better. It's lighter, never felt damp, and it wore effortlessly. Not that the Horze bunched up or twisted either, but the Kastel felt ... invisible. Once I got to the barn, I completely forgot about it. It actually felt like I was in the thinnest tank top. I could not feel the fabric on my skin; it was virtually weightless. The only negative to this shirt is the price, but it is worth it. I will definitely be asking for more of these as birthday and Christmas gifts, but at $55.00, I don't think I'll be tossing them into my cart for the free shipping.  As I dressed for the barn that day, I had to stop and laugh as I realized I was decked out in Riding Warehouse gear from top to bottom!
I think Riding Warehouse gets more of my paycheck than I realized!
jenj
4/28/2017 05:29:44 am
You might try the Kerrits IceFil short sleeves. They are even more weightless than the Kastels, and at a much lower price point. Although I do LOVE my Kastels! 4/28/2017 06:55:32 am
I checked into the Kerrits IceFil, but they ran about $48 which isn't that much lower than the Kastels. Maybe you have a better source than I do? 4/28/2017 05:47:05 am
I was excited to see the review of the Horze shirt yesterday but I already have several Kastel shirts I love and I don't think I could downgrade! Mine are all long sleeved and I can wear them in all but the most humid of MI summer time. I will say though I found a new and unexpected favorite last summer when I picked up the ariat sunstopper top. It's like multiple layers of mesh and so comfortable. Also the long sleeves aren't as tight so I can push them up if I get overheated which is near impossible with the kastels. 4/28/2017 06:54:03 am
I have an Ariat Sunstopper too and really like it. For the hottest days, I like how it doesn't really touch my skin at all. I know I should wear my sunshirts all summer, but that extra length of sleeve just kills me, so most of the time I wear a tank top, and I just ride early in the morning when the sun is low in the sky. Not as healthy as covering up, but it's better than nothing.
I've had to deal with skin cancer once already so I swear by UV shirts when I do anything outside now. However, I could never justify spending the money required on horse wear shirts. I get the long sleeve options since I need to protect all my skin and found a place called Coolibar online. They have UV 50 shirts in a variety of styles. More casual and less sporty than most of the horse wear shirts but they are much cheaper. I've got 4 casual long sleeve shirts and one sport material long sleeve polo from them and they are awesome. 4/28/2017 08:52:34 am
I checked out Coolibar - they have some interesting tops, but you're right, they're not particularly sporty. :0)
carol
4/28/2017 10:35:12 am
http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Kastel_Denmark_Charlotte_Fitted_Polo_Shirt-DEAL/descpage-KDCP.html 4/28/2017 10:49:23 am
I had to get one, lol. Also found they had the navy argyle mesh back roeckl's on clearance...and got some cross ties for when the ponies come home. All for just under $60! Woo hoo! 4/29/2017 03:55:31 pm
Great outfit! I like both the Ariat and Kastel sunshirts and have a few in various colors. Also, I just had a Roeckl giveaway over on the blog/Instagram. I'm not sure if you're following. But it was for 2 pairs--one for you, one for a friend. :) And I love the C4 belt containers! I use them for my hair accessories! 5/1/2017 06:59:38 am
I am definitely a sucker for cute stuff. I just wish it all weren't so expensive. :0) 5/1/2017 07:00:22 am
I have found one or two of my Kastels on ebay, Amazon too. :0) 5/1/2017 01:19:01 pm
I really like my ovation glitz too. The navy/brown never seemed to catch on, but I really want one for schooling. If you find one size sm/m give me a holler!!! (After you stock up on one of your own of course) :) 5/1/2017 01:43:17 pm
The Kastels are nice for sure. As "healthy" as the long sleeved ones are though, they just aren't cool enough. That short sleeved version is DIVINE though and worth (?) the money (mostly). LOL
Elinor Yee
5/15/2017 02:09:35 pm
Some feedback on this helmet. 5/17/2017 10:15:50 am
I found the same thing you did! I have looked high and low for a "left over" navy helmet, but alas, none seem to be left. :0) Comments are closed.
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About the Writer and RiderI am a lifelong rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010. Welcome to my dressage journey. 
Photo by Lori Ovanessian
About Speedy GSpeedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)
About IzzyIzzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)
Bakersfield Dressage approved!
My favorite breeches!
FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
I love her stuff!
Watercolor Artist and Friend
National Rider Awards
USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013
State Rider Awards
CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018
State Horse Awards
Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018
Working Towards:
CDS Sapphire Rider Award Third Level: 63.514% Third Level: 62.105% Fourth Level: Fourth Level: 2023 Show Season
Show Rating (***) CDS/USDF/USEF (*) CDS (s) Schooling (c) Clinic (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic 2023 Show Schedule
TBD 2023 Completed … Pending 2023 Qualifying Scores
Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Training Level 3 Scores/2 Judges/60%: Score 1: Score 2: Score 3: Archives
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