Written by Stephanie Hecker
Blending decades of ThinLine engineering with Sixteen Cypress’s modern, textile-driven style, this collaboration sets a new standard for equestrian products and sends a powerful message about innovation, integrity, and working together in a competitive industry.
In an industry where tradition runs deep and innovation is hard-won, true collaboration is rare. Yet sometimes, two brands meet at exactly the right moment: one bringing decades of technical mastery, the other elevating equestrian style into something refined and intentional.
The new ThinLine x Sixteen Cypress saddle pad collection isn’t just a product launch. It’s a statement — about craftsmanship, horse-first design, and what can happen when equestrian brands choose partnership over competition.
A philosophy before a prototype
This project began with a philosophy rather than a prototype.
ThinLine founder Elaine Lockhead takes an outspoken stance on the challenges facing small designers in the equestrian space.
“I see so many young people trying to launch things and they’re out of business in a year,” she shared, noting how quickly larger brands can overpower new voices.
Her position is clear: collaboration over competition, support over scarcity.
“Let’s work together… let’s help people do bigger and better things, and let’s all do it together.”
It was in this spirit that ThinLine connected with Sixteen Cypress founder and designer Emily Factor, whose background in textiles, apparel development, and technical fabrics has always guided her work.
16CXTL Field Plaid Close Contact Pad
Where textile science meets equestrian design
Emily studied fashion and textile science before transitioning fully into equestrian design, and her understanding of fibre behaviour, structure, breathability, and durability deeply informs every choice she makes.
As she described, the appeal of textile engineering naturally carried into designing for horses. Materials that move, wick, stretch, or support are chosen not just for beauty, but for function.
For her, designing saddle pads became a way to unite her two worlds.
“That’s one thing I really love. Understanding fibre, how it works, how it functions… to be honest, I love the idea of designing for horses more than people.”
Her aesthetic reflects that blend of technical knowledge and restraint. She gravitates towards suiting fabrics, wovens, plaids, and materials that maintain shape, lie smoothly, and elevate the horse rather than distract from it.
She designs, in her words, “around the horse”, choosing palettes and patterns that are handsome, timeless, and complementary to all breeds and colours.
An instant creative synergy
So when ThinLine approached her, the creative synergy was immediate.
“To me, ThinLine is like the Nike of our industry,” Emily said, describing a brand that not only engineered its own proprietary foam but has remained unmatched in innovation for decades.
The admiration was mutual. ThinLine recognised Emily as a designer with remarkable discipline, clarity, and execution. Every product she designed carried the confidence of someone whose work was grounded in both art and science.
Bringing the collection to life
The process of marrying the two brands’ strengths unfolded with surprising ease. ThinLine’s in-house sewing and prototyping allowed for swift iterations, while Emily’s precision — particularly her insistence on clean leatherette binding and structural integrity — ensured the new pad maintained the elevated tailoring her customers love.
Sample testing took place across a wide range of horses, saddles, and disciplines, ultimately reinforcing what ThinLine has always said: the horses themselves provide the most honest feedback.
As sales director Tony Phillips put it, “Ultimately… the horses tell the true story.”
The technology behind the pad
That truth consistently comes back to ThinLine’s core technology: a unique foam engineered to absorb impact without deadening feel.
Elaine explained the original mission:
“The whole point behind developing ThinLine was to get shock absorbency, retain all the feel as though you have nothing on the horse, add no-slip properties, and maintain breathability.”
This combination has made ThinLine a trusted favourite among riders for decades.
What the ThinLine x Sixteen Cypress pad offers
The ThinLine x Sixteen Cypress pad delivers performance with style, including:
- 95% shock absorption
- Enhanced rider stability without extra bulk
- Non-slip grip that reduces the need for over-cinching
- Shimmable design that does not alter saddle fit unless the rider chooses to shim
- Remarkable longevity
- Sport mesh lining that dries quickly and breathes beautifully
- Three silhouettes: jumper, close contact, and dressage
- Three colourways: white, black, and the beloved Field Plaid
Additionally, the leatherette binding — an element Emily insisted on both aesthetically and functionally — keeps the pad lifted, prevents edge curling, and reinforces long-term durability.
Importantly, despite its sophistication, the pad is fully machine washable and quick to dry.
All of these elements create a product that stays contoured, polished, and functional.
What riders and horses feel
The experience of riding in the pad is where the partnership shines brightest. Horses begin to trust the new support, lifting their backs and moving more freely, while riders find themselves quieter, more centred, and more connected.
To test this on your own horse, Tony recommends a simple method for feeling the difference: ride in the pad daily for a week, then warm up in it on day seven before switching back to your old pad mid-ride.
“It will hit you over the head… that’s when they call us and go, ‘Oh my stars.’”
More than a product launch
Ultimately, this collection represents something deeper than the merging of two design languages. It reflects a shift in equestrian culture — one that champions shared growth, innovation, and authenticity.
Emily spoke honestly about the loneliness that sometimes comes with running a small business: working alone, designing alone, building alone. The partnership with ThinLine, she said, felt like joining a team that genuinely understood, encouraged, and elevated her.
For ThinLine, supporting a designer with her level of artistry and vision wasn’t just beneficial; it was aligned with their mission to protect creativity in the industry.
Just the beginning
As Elaine, Emily, Tony, and the ThinLine team look ahead, the implication is clear: this is just the beginning.
Riders and retailers are already buzzing, and future projects remain deliberately unspoiled by early announcements. But if the first launch is any indication, this partnership promises a new era where technical innovation and refined design can coexist beautifully, and where brands lift each other up.
The collaboration can be summed up in Elaine’s effortless tagline: “Feel good. Look good.”
Emily’s version complements it perfectly: “Innovation, harmony, durability.”
Together, they capture the essence of this collaboration: a thoughtful blend of craftsmanship and performance, aesthetics, engineering, artistry, and purpose.
It is a product that honours the horse, empowers the rider, and sets a compelling example for what the equestrian industry can be when collaboration — not competition — leads the way.