Spinning plates

Horses, a full-time career... and the time to do justice to both? Michelle Ewen talks to the equestrian entrepreneurs focused on having it all

- Michelle Ewen

WHATEVER her mood or the weather, showing up for her horse Grace is a nonnegotiable for BE90 competitor Catherine Davies, 50. The north Londoner rides her eight-year-old Irish warmblood six days a week without fail – sometimes getting up at 4am on competition days, often after travelling across the UK for work.

Learning to be responsible and consistent as a horse owner, she says, is the secret to the success of her strategic consultancy business, Monticle Ltd.

“To ride well and compete, you need to be physically fit. I bring that good health and energy to my business,” Catherine explains. “In the equestrian world, you need to be on the edge of your comfort zone to jump bigger fences or to make significant progress. Nurturing this mindset is how I have built a six-figure business – helping innovative companies to partner with the NHS. I lead my horse and my business in a positive way. The success of one area fuels the other.”

Catherine is not alone in experiencing a boost to her career thanks to her equestrian background. Former district nurse Cheryl White, 46, founded Apollo Care Franchising Ltd in 2011. Her boutique home care service company operates UK-wide and achieved a £5m turnover last year.

Cheryl’s second business, Mercury Franchise School Ltd, hit six figures – teaching business owners how to franchise their pilot business model.

The mother of two splits her time between coaching both existing and aspirant franchisees, using a positive psychology approach, as well as setting the vision for both businesses.

Cheryl has owned and loaned horses for two decades. She bought Jake, a 10-year-old piebald cob, three years ago for £5,500 and pays £1,000 per month for full livery.