A recap by Lindsay Lenard from Horse Spot, horse show management software
This weekend at Equestrian Businesswomen (EQBW) in Wellington was a powerful reminder that meaningful growth, both in business and in life—rarely happens by chance. It happens when clarity, strategy, and community come together.
EQBW continues to create space for honest, high-level conversations about what it really takes to build sustainable businesses in the equestrian industry. From early-stage founders to horse bodyworkers, the weekend brought together women who aren’t just dreaming big—they’re building intentionally.
Leading With Data: Fundraising, Strategy, and Growth as a Panelist
I had the opportunity to participate as a panelist alongside Kelly Giordano from Avenue Equestrian and Lauren Sprieser alongside Sprieser Sporthorse.
The three of us all shared a common theme and that was clarity with connection. When you’re working with a team, whether that’s an experienced industry partner or a 19 year old assistant at the barn you have to lead with clarity and transparency. When you’re able to communicate, address goals and concerns early on, it removes the ambiguity when conflicts do come up—or perhaps it helps avoid conflict altogether.
Communication is key. And it’s a value I carry with my team and customers at Horse Spot.
On the panel stage, I got to share Horse Spot’s fundraising journey—what we learned, what challenged us, and what ultimately helped us move forward with confidence.
It was a journey that started with rejection. The thing about rejection is that it’s redirection. We maybe started talking to VC’s too early on but it taught us what we needed to do most: we needed to focus on our customers. We also learned that we don’t have to take advice from everyone. Early on, VC’s would tell us to turn to high-net worth individuals within our equestrian communities to do an early round. Well it turns out, we spent more time convincing our friends and network how to be angel investors over actually selling them on Horse Spot. It feels humorous looking back on it.
As we grew over the years, we had more to show for! That meant data that we could point to that illustrated our growth trajectory clearly.
One point I emphasized throughout the conversation was the importance of always leading with data and facts. Whether you’re speaking with investors, employees, or partners, data creates clarity. It removes unnecessary emotion from decision-making, builds trust, and aligns everyone around the same reality.
In fundraising, knowing your numbers isn’t just about being prepared for questions—it’s about being confident in your story. Clear KPIs, financial metrics, and growth data allow you to articulate where you are, where you’re going, and why your strategy makes sense. That same clarity internally helps teams understand priorities, expectations, and how their work connects to the bigger picture.
The panel reinforced a shared belief across the room: the strongest businesses are built when strategy and structure are considered early—not added later once growth demands it. If you’re thinking about getting started on that piece, start now!
Your Next Jump: Making Networking More Intentional
Networking events move fast. You rarely have time to meet everyone in the room. Your Next Jump was designed with that reality in mind.
When I explained the idea, I told the crowd that my next jump was to onboard more Western shows on my horse show technology platform, Horse Spot. Immediately after, I had an individual who is very involved in AQHA approach me and extend a helping hand.
Instead of relying on chance conversations, the activation gave attendees a way to signal their goals early. Attendees wrote down their next “jump” / bold move or risk they wanted to take on a card and pinned it across a jump rail that WEF generously provided. The rest of the room then could add their contact information on the back of the card and how they can help them “overcome that jump”.
In a single glance, the wall created alignment—connecting people with complementary goals, skills, and resources before a conversation even started. The result was more intentional networking.
Small Circle Talks
Throughout the event, Jennifer Wood and Jennifer Connor put prompts together to help facilitate conversations among the individuals at our tables. One of them was how do you react to competition and disruptions/changes in the market?
I was sitting at a table of entrepreneurs with a media background and I could relate to their positions coming from a freelance design background. We all shared the equal thought that Collaboration over Competition is needed in a creative space where there’s a lot of business to go around.
As it relates to technology in equestrian sports, we’re seeing a lot of new modern solutions and disruptors—and I personally think competition can be healthy. It wakes me up every morning and motivates me to create the best version of Horse Spot that I can for our customers.
Looking Ahead
EQBW continues to set the standard for what thoughtful, values-driven community looks like in the equestrian industry. I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of this weekend—not only as a speaker, but as someone deeply invested in helping founders and leaders build businesses that are sustainable, strategic, and aligned with the lives they want to live. The cherry on top was finishing the day with The Plaidcast LIVE, WEF Grand Prix views, and a glass of wine with friends.
Your Next Jump isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about being as prepared as you can, tackling unexpected cards that are dealt with grace, grounding decisions in data, and surrounding yourself with people willing to help you move forward. I am grateful for the conversations, new faces, and friends I now get to see at EQBW year after year. If you’re wondering if I’ll be at the next one, the answer is yes.
