For the past decade, Wellington-based local business owners and sisters Sarah and Katie Hoog have been transforming their passion for horses into what has become one of the equestrian businesses that contributed to a record GDP increase for Palm Beach County.
Every year, they turn their 35-plus years of combined experience into encouragement of dressage riders through the presentation of the X-Factor Awards presented by their C U at X Tack Shop, a longstanding on-site partner at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington.
X-Factor Awards presented by C U at X Tack Shop recognize equestrians who go “above and beyond” in presenting their horse and horsemanship at their best while embodying that ineffable attribute that makes them stand out or excel in the dressage arena.
When selecting X-Factor recipients, the sisters look for well-appointed riding wear and equally well turned out, well-fitted tack on the horse.
“It’s not just about looks. Proper fitting equipment and riding apparel are important to the entire showing and training experience, to get the best results out of every ride,” Katie explained. “Every horse deserves this, and so does every rider.”
“For riders,” Sarah added, “the goal is to do their best when riding or caring for their horse friends.”
In addition to offering encouragement and recognition through these unique awards, their goal is to offer the best affordable tack and apparel, imported and quality-tested by them, so riders can focus on doing and giving their best.
Seven riders merited X-Factor Awards during the past three months, including adult amateur Lori Carol Sack and Drakkar Noir 3, the pair that set the standard at AGDF 1; followed by international Grand Prix veteran Micah Deligdish riding Santos; trainer and former model Mary Bahniuk Lauritsen and Impression; Jessie Steiner, daughter of World Equestrian Games veteran Betsy Steiner, on Zjackomoas; multi-time national champion Endel Ots of Loxahatchee debuting Bohemian; USDF gold medalist Hannah Bressler Jaques; and former polocrosser and Wellington local Caleb Scroggins with Villanelle.
“I feel like our many years of having dressage horses gives us an edge,” Sarah said about recognizing potential and encouraging it.
Both sisters ride and show dressage horses to the highest level of the sport.
“Being turned out perfectly in the arena instills confidence in a rider, and horses pick up on that confidence,” Katie explained. “You can’t control everything about a ride, but you can start out looking and feeling professional, and hopefully the ride goes better since you don’t have to think about your equipment or clothing and can focus on the riding.”
C U at X Tack offers in-store shopping in Wellington from their location at 3460 Fairlane Farms Road, Suite 9, plus pop-ups and boutique-style booths at such dressage cornerstones as the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, the U.S. Dressage Federation National Championships in Kentucky and the Festival of Champions at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Illinois.
For more information about C U at X Tack, visit them in person at the store in Wellington or at the shows, or virtually at www.cuatxtack.com.
