Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Ayres.
Debbie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My company is Ayres Riding, Etc. I’m a 44 year old mother of 3 and live in Frisco, TX. My passion is riding horses and I love sharing that experience with others.
I’ve been riding horses since I was 3 years old and have always had a special way with animals. As a teenager, my first job was at a horse barn giving trail rides for corporate parties. We’ve been raising American Quarter Horses for 20 years as a family. We’ve always had the joy of horses in our life and I wanted to find a way to share that with other people since they’ve always been such a benefit to me.
Because of degenerative disc disease I’ve had four spinal surgeries and each one has left my future riding horses in question. My family supported my attitude that life isn’t worth living without riding horses. In spite of surgeries followed by physical therapy, and still being left with chronic pain, I founded Ayres Riding, Etc. I’ve been giving riding lessons to kids and adults alike for nearly two decades.
Somewhere along the way, we discovered the sport of competitive trail riding. Me and my amazing horse partner, Smokie, found a lot of success and won back-to-back state championships. Since then Ayres Riding, Etc. includes obstacle training and desensitization to our horsemanship training program.
Has it been a smooth road?
The physical challenges of the neck surgeries, being fused from C3 through C7, has often made it difficult to stay positive. Riding horses has been therapeutic following my neck surgeries as well as my mental ability to deal with the chronic pain.
Financing a horse based business is challenging as well, the least expensive part of owning horses is buying the horses. I often tell people that the best way to make $1 million in the horse industry is by starting off with $5 million.
Balancing family life, raising horses and struggling with pain issues have definitely been an obstacle. However, we look forward to the challenge and haven’t met an obstacle we can’t conquer yet.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Ayres Riding, Etc. story. Tell us more about the business.
I’ve been giving people horseback riding lessons for a long time at Malone Ranch in Aubrey. Over the last 20 years we’ve bred, raised and trained our own small herd of American Quarter Horses. We are known for our safe, sane horses, nearly all which were born on-site. They are all perfect for riding lessons because they’re extremely sensitive, know who is on them and recognize their individual needs and respond accordingly. We also aren’t a babysitting service, the students must learn about horses, safety and how to handle the tack before ever riding.
We also require our students to respect the animals and Malone Ranch, where we operate. None of our venture would have been possible without Sandi Malone, who provides her beautiful property and takes excellent care of all the horses around the clock.
Ayres Riding, Etc. also dedicates time and resources to Freedom Horses (helping abused women). This charitable organization pairs victims of abuse with safe, sound therapy horses to help build their confidence and courage through horsemanship. This is one of the activities we are most proud of as a company. Our horses are perfect for this program and always take care of the riders. There is never a charge for our time and services for these women.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Real estate prices are growing at an astronomical rate in Dallas and Fort Worth, but even out in the countryside past all the suburbs the land is being developed and values are going up. I think that a lot of the people giving riding lessons in the Collin County and Denton County areas will be moving further out. No matter what we will continue to provide these services as long as possible in this area.
Pricing:
- Riding lessons are $40 and usually take about an hour
- Freedom Horses sessions are always free of charge
Contact Info:
- Website: www.riding4everyone.com
- Phone: 469.774.9400
- Email: debbieayres@riding4everyone.com
- Instagram: debbieayres73
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riding4everyone/
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