Emerging Equestrian Professional Course (EEPC)
Our industry’s premier practical business course for emerging and future professionals!
Looking at a full-time or part-time professional riding/training career?
“Finally, a ‘behind the scenes’ look at how to run a successful riding/training business… with industry experts (law, finances, marketing, etc.) and real, honest conversations with current top professionals!”
“The ‘Equine MBA’ our industry professionals need!”
COURSE DESCRIPTION
SUBSCRIBE to receive announcements for the next LIVE offering!
The purpose of this 6-week course is to help young riders successfully prepare for a future career launch as a professional rider/trainer by bringing in top experts in equine marketing, law, bookkeeping, financial planning, etc. and current top pros in H/J, eventing, and dressage.
This 6-week, virtual, LIVE program guides students through critical self-evaluation, provides tangible business skills and tools, creates a community of supportive peers and lays a framework for a future business launch.
“This course was life changing.”
-Ashani H.
What’s Included:
-> LIVE sessions twice per week
-> Expert guests in equine law, finance, marketing, mental health and more
-> "Chat with the Pros" sessions (with top professionals in our industry)
-> Weekly assignments to plan your future riding/training/teaching business
-> Unlimited access to 1-on-1 support by instructor, Emily Urban
-> Tons of resources… exclusive recorded lessons, readings, and podcasts
-> 1 year listed in Referral Directory
Course objectives
This 6-module course will prepare you for a professional role in the equine industry.
· Anchor your equestrian passions with clear business and career principles
· Develop critical thinking around best business practices in the equestrian context
· Translate your skills and strengths into a profitable and sustainable business model
· Apply preventative strategies to avoid future career and business struggles
Who is this course for?
-> Young riders and working students ready to strike out on their own as professionals
-> Young and mid-career adults considering part-time equestrian career options
-> College and high school students wanting to gain realistic insight on a possible career pathway
-> Young and mid-career adults struggling to find fulfillment in their non-equine related profession
Teaching Philosophy
“First and foremost, I approach the topic of becoming a professional in the industry from deep personal experience and with a strong sense of the realities (both good and bad) of what it means to be an equestrian professional.
I have personally seen many of my close peers find great personal and financial success in the equine industry, while I have seen others fall into deep debt and self-loathing. Therefore, I am passionate about providing emerging professionals with realistic expectations of the profession and the tangible tools and insight from a business perspective to set themselves up for a fulfilling and hopefully lucrative career path.
I believe that we need strong trainers and successful riding/training programs at the grassroots levels to maintain the robustness of our sport at the highest levels. You do not need to have competed at the highest levels of your sport to provide great value to your community as an equine professional. I encourage my students to find their own professional path and build their business in a way that is authentically ‘them’. ”
— Emily Urban, Course instructor, Founder
Home of the Emerging Equestrian Professional Course (EEPC)
Our industry’s premier practical business course for emerging and future professionals!
Course Outline
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01. Purpose
Start the course by outlining what “going pro” looks like for you. How do your skills and experiences align with what the market needs (and is willing to pay for)? Are you ready? If needed, critically reflect on how you could gain more skills/experience.
Guests: Max Corcoran (USEA President & USEF Eventing Elite Program and Team Facilitator)
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02. Business Models
Take a deep dive into different business models to see how they compare in profit, lifestyle, and more. What does it mean to truly be “profitable?” Start framing your future offerings and services. Explore specific pricing strategies and gain tools to streamline your business systems (i.e. payments, waivers, etc.).
Guests: Renee Elliot (top H/J pro) & Natasha Sprengers-Levine and Tara Swersie (Strider)
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03. Marketing
Websites, social media, PR – Oh my! Gain critical advice from media experts about the do’s and don’ts around social media, content marketing, and websites. We also look at how to lock in and maintain thriving sponsorship relationships this week.
Guests: Denise Alvarez (Stormlily Marketing), Frankie Thieriot Stutes (Athletux) & Courtney Cooper (Top eventing pro)
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04. Business Operations
Dive into bookkeeping, “knowing your business numbers,” and year-end tax tips. Learn how insurance, contracts, and waivers must be established.Talk with experts to learn how to best protect your horses and your business… from setting up an LLC to day-to-day activities to arranging a horse syndicate.
Guests: Yvonne Ocrant (top equine attorney) & Mary Fasciana (top equine business bookkeeper)
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05. Personal Well-being
We go into the profession because of our love of horses, but we also need to take care of our own well-being long-term. We take a ‘big picture’ look at how to plan for healthcare, retirement, and other financial needs as an equine professional. Prevent burnout by learning strategies to maintaining healthy client relationships, including boundary setting, valuing your time, and knowing your worth as a professional.
Guests: Laura Ashley Dressage (Grand Prix dressage pro), Derek Merkler ( Trophy Point Financial Planning), & Coach Tony Sandoval (Elite rider fitness and health coach)
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06. Getting Started
Get tangible next-steps on how to put all these topics together, including building your name locally and getting your first group of clients. Strengthen your future community of support with your future co-professionals in this course.
Final Student Presentations: Present your final business plans to your peers. These quick, lively discussions will leave you feeling confident and supported in your next steps. Plus, you will be added to The Rising Equestrian Pros nation-wide referral list.
Frequently Asked Questions
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6 weeks. Live sessions are Mondays and Wednesdays 7:00 -8:30 pm EST.
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$795. The class is limited to 30 students, so when we say “limited seats available,” we really mean it!
This is a LIVE virtual course, meaning you will get to interact directly with expert guests, get individual coaching and feedback from the course instructor, and will get to know the other 29 students really well.
We are invested in your learning experience and your future career path in our industry.
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We think so.
(1) The cost is less than 1/3 of most 3-credit college courses (~$3,000 per course).
(2) EVERY live session includes 1 or more expert guests (top equine attorney, bookkeeper, marketing, etc.) who charge $100-$300+ per hour for individual consultations.
(3) The instructor, Emily Urban, holds two education degrees (B.S. and M.S.) and is currently a PhD Candidate at Cornell University. She currently brings in personal experience running her own teaching/training operation, as well as experience with multi-national companies and venture capital.
(4) This course is offering training that (a) you can directly apply to your future riding/training business, (b) gives you the “behind-the-scenes” look at the industry not found in other places, and (c) provides you with a network of co-professional peers.
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(1) We understand that you may miss class. In fact, attending class is technically optional. However, you may get the most value from the course if you attend regularly. Think, would you want to miss your riding lesson?
Please note: To receive the official certificate of completion, you must attend 9 of the 12 live lectures (or send a note saying you reviewed the recordings).
(2) Yes, you can access the class recordings! You will have access to all the recordings for the duration of the course.
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LIVE sessions will take place Mondays & Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm EST and include technical expert guests (finance, law, etc.) and/or “Chat with Pros” conversations with respected professionals to give a frank perspective on that week’s topic.
In addition to these live sessions, students will complete assignments and readings (optional) to help lay out their business.
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No. However, you will get out of this course what you put into it. The readings have been carefully curated to help you build you foundational knowledge. Additionally, there will be “homework assignments” that are completely optional. However, completing them will help you outline your future riding/training/teaching business, including compile your final presentation during the last week of class.
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Yes! In fact, the instructor (Emily) is available at just about any time during the length of the course via Whatsapp. Send as many messages as you’d like to either ask questions, brainstorm, or just chat!
Need more support? We will schedule a call or zoom session! By the end of the course, we want you to feel confident in your next steps and have your future business/career laid out. (This is also why the course is limited to 30 students… we value YOUR success as an individual!)
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Currently, once per year. If you see that course enrollment is open, now is the time to… go for it!