Earlier this month, we opened the doors of Racesafe HQ to welcome a select group of our valued retailers and ambassadors. The open day was designed to give guests an exclusive look behind the scenes, from the rich history behind our brand to the meticulous production process of our body protectors, plus an exciting preview of new product launches coming in 2026.
A Warm Welcome at HQ
The day began with coffee and pastries before James How, Managing Director of Racesafe, kicked off proceedings with a welcome talk. He shared the story of the brand’s origins and outlined the day's itinerary.
“Racesafe is, first and foremost, a British brand and a family business.”
The journey began in the 1970s when James’ grandparents, Peter and Ann How, started making racing silks and stocks on their kitchen table, alongside running their local country store. By the 1980s, James’ father, Tim How, joined the business and became involved in developing the first BETA body protector standards, marking the early days of equestrian body protection.
Fast forward over 40 years, and the company remains a proud family-run business. James now leads Racesafe alongside his brother Tom and sister Sophie, continuing the legacy of innovation and rider safety.
“Our focus is on body protection, and we want to make it the best in the world.”
“We’re specialists, we don’t try to do everything. That’s really important.”
While materials and manufacturing techniques have evolved, the core mission remains the same:
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To create body protection that meets the latest safety standards.
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To ensure maximum comfort and freedom of movement.
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To design products that riders actually want to wear.
Factory Tour: Precision in Every Detail
Guests were then taken behind the scenes for a guided tour of the Racesafe factory in Northamptonshire. Every detail, from the angle of a chamfer to the thickness of a single layer of foam, is carefully considered, it's these small but crucial refinements that set Racesafe apart.
By maintaining production in-house, Racesafe ensures exceptional quality control and continuous product innovation.
Evolving with the Rider
While body protectors remain the heart of Racesafe’s product range, the way riders approach protection is changing.
“We have to recognise that not every rider will wear a Level 3 body protector every time they ride. Our aim is to make protection that suits every ride, whether that’s training, hacking, or in competition.”
In 2026, Racesafe will expand its offering, building on the success of the Motion3, HX3, and RaceMotion to create a comprehensive range of body protection products suitable for every rider and riding discipline.
A VIP Afternoon at Susie Berry’s Yard
Following the factory tour, guests were treated to lunch and an afternoon at the yard of 5* International Event Rider and Racesafe- sponsored athlete, Susie Berry. Her head girl, Crisy, led a yard tour and introduced the team to Susie’s horses, including John The Bull, fresh off a 10th place finish at Boekelo’s CCI-L 4* after a strong 2023 5* Badminton campaign.
The day concluded with a ridden demonstration by Sophie Howe, giving guests a first look at the new products launching in the new year.
Thank You
We’d like to extend our thanks to everyone who joined us for this special day. It was a pleasure to welcome you to Racesafe HQ, and we’re especially grateful to Susie Berry and her fantastic team for hosting us at the yard.
Want to Become a Racesafe Retail Stockist?
We proudly partner with some of the UK’s and the world’s leading equestrian and country retailers. If you’re interested in becoming a stockist, we’d love to hear from you, especially if you’re based internationally.
Please contact us at info@racesafe.co.uk with the following details:
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Business name
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Location
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Website
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Any relevant background or enquiry details
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