A Dorset-based equine learning business has secured Start Up Loans funding to establish and grow a specialist operation targeting underserved segments of the youth support market.
HD Horsemanship, founded by Sam Anderson-Parker, provides inclusive horse riding and equine-assisted learning for children, including those with special educational needs and those outside mainstream education settings.
The business launched after overcoming key early-stage barriers, including securing appropriate land and navigating a detailed local authority licensing process, ultimately achieving a four-star rating.
Backed by a £5,000 facility delivered via GC Business Finance, the funding supported initial asset acquisition and enabled the business to scale from launch, with the operation now supporting up to 40 young people and expanding its equine base.
SUPPORTED AND UNDERSTOOD
Sam Anderson-Parker says: “We are not a traditional riding school, and we are not an RDA centre. We exist for the children and young people who sit between those two worlds and desperately need a place where they feel understood and supported.
“The licensing was incredibly thorough, but we wanted to do everything properly from day one. We were proud to achieve a four-star licence, and we were told it would have been five stars if we’d been operating for two years.”
She adds: “The support we received went far beyond the funding. The guidance around running the business, particularly on the financial side, gave us confidence and helped us deliver a much higher quality service to local families.
“Watching these children blossom has been incredible. They turn up in all weathers, they stick with it, and they grow in ways that go far beyond riding.
“This is just the beginning. With the right support, we can help many more children experience the benefits of equine learning.”
PURPOSE-LED BUSINESS
Alex Mearns, Head of Start Up Lending at GC Business Finance, adds: “HD Horsemanship is a fantastic example of a purpose-led business with a clear social mission.
“Sam had a strong vision from the outset, and our team worked closely with her to make sure the funding was right for the business.
“Ali, the underwriter on this deal did a brilliant job supporting the application and ensuring the finance was structured in a way that would set the business up for long-term sustainability.”
