When I came home from travelling at the end of 2019, I had big plans to set up my own business. I never thought that after just 10 months I’d be working for myself full time!
Having already been a riding instructor for almost 10 years, I soon got back into the swing of things and even picked up a few old clients. Soon enough, I was fully booked weekly with clients old and new, teaching a variety of groundwork, flatwork and jumping, as well as schooling and hacking horses for their owners. Teaching and riding during my spare time, alongside working as a maths teacher, I then began putting plans into action to kick-start the livery side of the business.
In February 2020, I welcomed my very first livery, Cathy, with her two gorgeous girls, Tickle and Rosie. By the end of October the same year, I had eight part liveries and one schooling livery, along with a few DIYs and my own horses, leaving us full.
One year on, I have ten part liveries with two more joining us at the end of the month and just one spare stable, which I’m yet to decide whether it will be taken by a schooling livery or a new addition to the family…
Over the last twelve months I’ve learned that working for yourself is no easy feat; the admin, communication, manual labour, late night and early mornings, losing the security of a salaried job, the list goes on! But it is the most rewarding job I’ve ever done; caring for peoples most precious animals, helping clients improve their riding, and working with owners to solve problems with their horses – both ridden and on the ground.
What will the next year bring?
Sadie in the Saddle 