Meet Porsha McLaren of McLaren Equestrian in North Dallas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Porsha McLaren.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was 11 years old when I bought my first horse. My father told me that if I saved my money and bought my own horse he would pay the monthly bills. His name was Buddy but his show name was The Unbearable Barefoot Buddy. I started out in western but quickly realized I wanted to jump, I then changed Buddy’s name to Sterling Silver. I spent hours watching other trainers and doing whatever I could to be around horses (cleaning stalls, cleaning tack, setting jumps, grooming horses, all without pay) and learn about Hunters and Jumpers. I sold Sterling Silver and bought a thoroughbred and named him Second Glance.

That is when trainers started letting me catch ride their horses, usually more difficult horses that weren’t easy to ride. As a junior, I trained with industry giants Kathy Hobstetter, Ken Nordstrom and Bob McDonald. Once I became a professional, I was talented enough to be coached by Tommy Lowe, Alain Vaillancourt and the legendary Ronnie Freeman. After catch riding and training with other experienced horseman, I took a break after being diagnosed with brain tumors. At that I needed to focus on my health.

While I was recovering I did help Jane Wolf and Lovebug to become world champion all around amateurs and received a cover photo on Horse Illustrated for that endeavor. I also able to earn the championship title of the grand prix in Pomona California on Elite. Elite and I made the cover photo of the July 1987 California Horse Trader for the jumper division. Shortly after I ran McLaren Rowe Farms for 25 years but due to circumstances in my personal life, I decided to leave McLaren Rowe Farms to focus on raising my daughter Cheyanne. I eventually moved to Texas and came back into the horse scene. My first job in Texas was with Brunson Equestrian in Tyler Texas and I eventually moved on to become a Co-Trainer with Katherine Breunig of Catch Ride. I decided to open my own business once again in 2016 and here I am today operating McLaren Equestrian out of the Dallas Equestrian Center.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My hearing loss due as a result of my brain tumors has definitely been a struggle most of my life
but I have learned to cope and to read lips. I also struggled with alcohol but I am happy to report that I have been sober for 11 years. My road to sobriety was my toughest challenge in life, but I can’t even begin to express how much it taught me and how much it changed me. The main lesson I took away from that journey was to never give up and keep fighting for your dream. It has made me a better mother, person and trainer.

McLaren Equestrian – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
McLaren Equestrian is a full-service Hunter/Jumper barn located in the heart of Dallas. Our training program regards each student and horse as individuals and we develop a program designed specifically for them. Our lesson program is also individually based, we like to keep beginners in private or semi-private (2 people) lessons so they are given the attention they need at this early stage in their riding career. Our group lessons are no more than 4 riders and are for the more experienced riders. We believe if a group lesson has more than four riders the quality decreases significantly for beginners. We believe in Quality over Quantity, and as such our barn is small compared to most barns. All of us work as a team, we all help each other and strive to bring each other up. We compete in a number of A and AA shows throughout the year, most in Texas but some out of state. In addition, I am a certified USHJA trainer.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is coming out each day and besting what you did the day before. Continually growing, not stopping, growing even a little bit. When you come out and don’t compare yourself to anybody but focus on yourself, your horse and the conversation you are having with your horse. Then that conversation turns into poetry and when you start speaking the same language, your rounds become bigger, better, and prettier. Form always follows function. When you do that, you reach your goals and dreams in the horse world and so do your students. To me that spells success.

Pricing:

• Beginner lessons for non boarders…….$100 per lesson

Contact Info:

• Address: 8787 park lane
• Website: mclarenequestrian.com
• Phone: 903 873 73829
• Email: mclarenequestrian@gmail.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/mclarenequestrian

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