HORSEBACK RIDING SCHOOL BUSINESS PLAN

I. Executive Summary

Company Description

Willow Ridge Equestrian Academy (named for the willow-lined ridge on the planned property) is a professional equestrian education business launching in Q2 2026. We operate in the equestrian instruction and youth/adult recreation sector and deliver a structured, curriculum-driven program focused on riding technique plus essential horsemanship. Core services include group weekly lessons, horse-care classes, assessments, and supervised practice using a dedicated herd of school horses and certified instructors. We sell instruction on a recurring monthly tuition model to promote long-term community and steady revenue.

We target suburban families, youth ages 6–18, and adult beginners/intermediates within a 30-minute drive, prioritizing middle-to-upper income households seeking safe, professional training. Short-term goals: open Q2 2026, enroll 120 paying students within 12 months, and achieve 80% monthly retention. Long-term goals: add competitive training and summer camps, reach 3 locations by 2030, and convert 70% of revenue to recurring memberships. We train riders for life while building predictable recurring revenue.

Problem

Prospective riders in the U.S. suburban market face few structured training environments and limited access to safe, well-schooled school horses and certified instructors, which raises safety and liability risks and reduces long-term participation.

Existing facilities often lack consistent professional certification and comprehensive horsemanship curricula, leaving beginners and families with high cost barriers and few reliable, community-oriented monthly tuition options. There is a clear need for a 2026-launched equestrian academy that provides certified instruction, a dedicated herd of school horses, and a recurring tuition model to improve safety, access, and retention.

Solution

Prospective riders face high costs, inconsistent instruction, and limited access to trained school horses and safe facilities. We operate a curriculum-based equestrian academy in a professional, safety-first facility that uses a herd of gentle, well-trained school horses, structured group lessons that integrate horse care, and a clear progression path from beginner to advanced. We deliver a full-spectrum, safety-first riding academy.

We provide all necessary equipment, including helmets and high-quality tack. Lessons run as group sessions that teach riding and horse care together. We use both indoor and outdoor arenas to enable year-round training. The program follows set progression levels to create consistent instruction and a supportive community environment.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive, and professional environment where students of all ages master horseback riding and horsemanship through a structured curriculum. We commit to fostering a lifelong love of horses while emphasizing safety, community, and the development of complete equestrian skills. We serve students, families, and the local community with consistent instruction, respectful care for horses, and programs that build confidence and responsibility.

Key Success Factors

Success rests on certified staff, a well-trained school herd, stable recurring revenue, strict safety adherence, and streamlined customer operations.

• Certified instructors delivering consistent, high-quality instruction.
• Gentle school horse herd trained for lesson safety and reliability.
• Recurring revenue model providing predictable cash flow for care and facility upkeep.
• Safety and compliance aligned with national certification and Safe Sport standards.
• Community-driven programs plus digital booking for high retention and seamless customer experience.

Financial Summary

Summary of projected financial performance and capital needs for the Horseback Riding School through 2028.

Financial requirements: initial cash buffer of $911,000 (minimum cash), capex of $120,000, and working capital to cover January 2026 operations; expected return: break-even in Jan-26, one-month payback, and strong ROE of 59.15%.

Overall outlook: highly profitable with rapid payback and growing EBITDA to $21,935,000 by 2030.

Funding Requirements

Launch needs $1,036,000, including a $911,000 minimum cash reserve; projected Year 1 EBITDA is $2,686,000, break-even and one-month payback in January 2026.