Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerica Bryant.
Jerica, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started being introduced to horses at a young age thanks to my father, by three I was riding by myself. Into my childhood years, I participated in rodeo events and 4h. I went to the Navy and when I came back home, I started back riding and loving on my horses. Well, in 2018, I was sitting at my barn and a person that barns there asked me how did I learn everything I know today. I told him I learned from being taught by different teachers, going to riding school, and just being around older cowboys, and that I’m still learning today. My first student was actually the person I was dating which is now my spouse lol. She a bad experience her very first time riding a horse and vowed to never get back on one and so I brought her out and taught her how to ride and showed her a more trained horse and she saw the difference and now she helps students overcome their fear or the horse itself.
So I started promoting and building the Heart of Her Riding Academy and begin teaching a variety of people in age and background sharing my love for these beautiful majestic animals. I teach people how to not just own a horse but how to build a relationship with the horse, how to ride, how trust the horse, basic first aid when it comes to horses, safety and different rodeo events based on the person. I grew up around horses since before I could walk one of my horses is actually a year older than I am. I also participated in the All American Youth Rodeo Association & 4H club in my youth so during the summer times, I give back my time to the youth rodeo camps.
I started out just me and my horses but today I have a staff that all have a select genre of training horses and people. I have a gentleman that teaches you how to do basic to advanced groundwork with horses, a gentleman that teaches how to ride and interact with gaited horses, a woman that teaches safety and getting over that first fear, my father who teaches how to properly own, feed, and take care of horses, and of course myself teaching all the lessons in the saddle. I started this business because horses kept me out of trouble and focused while growing up and I know it can do the same for kids coming along and not to have to go way out of Houston to learn when you have Heart of Her Riding Academy right in the general heart of Houston. Horses is what I love and is what I do and I just want to spread that love with the world.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road hasn’t been easy, I can tell you that much. My facilities have been under repair for an entire year which limited my ability to teach the way I wanted to teach and have people come and learn. Last year set me back a whole lot with the repairs and updates and changes to the facilities. I was definitely down and ready to throw in the towel but I kept having hope in the vision and it’s been a roller coaster but amazing to see that vision come to life. I’ve put in hours after hours to bring my facilities up to par for my school and I can’t wait to see what future has in store.
Heart of Her Riding Academy – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Heart of Her Riding Academy is school that teaches horsemanship to all ages and backgrounds. We specialize in giving everyone a wonderful experience with horses and teach them the ins and out to owning, riding, and caring for horses. Also, training and tuning up horse and rider so that they are one unit. I am most proud of my company showing people who are afraid that they can overcome that fear and fall in love with horses. What sets me apart from others is that my passion for horses shines so bright you have no choice but to fall in love with horses as well & that my business is all family and people get to see the different generations of horse people.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Personally, I define success as not how much money you make or how big your name is but everyday seeing a horse leave better than it came knowledge-wise and a child or adult overcome their fear and leaving Heart of Her Riding Academy with an ignited love with horses is what I define as success.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 2817387866
- Email: heartofherridingacademy@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/heartofheracademy
- Facebook: facebook.com/heartofheracademy
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