By Britney Grover
Photos by Kacy Brown Photography
Kacy Brown Photography
Jackie Cohen’s lifelong love of horses began at an elementary school fair. “Picture tiny me, wide-eyed and excited, hopping on a pony … who promptly decided to lie down and roll on me. A dramatic entrance into the horse world, but apparently, I took it as a sign to keep going,” she said. “I grew up just around the corner from Vicmead Hunt Club in Wilmington, Delaware, where Laurie Jakubauskas was the head trainer. My mom’s best friend gave me lessons, and she told me I jumped before I cantered. And then flat-out refused to canter for two years. Iconic behavior, honestly.”
Once Jackie decided to canter, she was all in: She rode and competed through high school, mostly in jumpers. “Then came college and I realized I’d never done what every horse kid dreams of—going to Wellington, Florida, for the winter circuit. So I left school for two years and went for it. That’s when everything changed,” Jackie said. “Chrissy Serio brought me to Wellington for the first time, and I fell in love with hunters.”
During those two years, Jackie worked for various top-level trainers in the industry, learning all she could. She also came to realize the importance of education, which led her to take a four-year break from horses to finish her bachelor’s in accounting and earn her MBA. After establishing her career in accounting, Jackie made her way back to the saddle—and to the equestrian industry. She is the founder of the thriving equestrian accounting service HoofBooks, in addition to her remote job that gives her the flexibility to ride and show. She trains with Julie Oliver at Sycamore Spring Stables and is excited to begin competing her new horse, Noble Defender, in the Adult Amateurs and 3’ National Derbies this summer. “One day—when I’m not such a scaredy-cat—I’d love to move up to the 3’3” Amateur Owners and qualify for Devon!” Jackie said.
Whether or not it takes years to move up, like it did to canter, there’s more fulfillment at shows than just competing for Jackie, because of HoofBooks. “I’m not just looking at numbers on a spreadsheet—I know the horses behind them. It’s such a full-circle moment when I get to go to shows and cheer them on, recognizing names I’ve seen each month in the books,” she said. “It makes the work feel personal and connected in a way that’s really special.”
When did you start your company and what gave you the idea?
I’ve spent years in the horse world working for top professionals in the industry and also built a solid background in accounting, with over seven years of experience. After earning my MBA from Villanova University, I found myself gravitating back toward horses. A few friends in the industry kept encouraging me to come ride just for fun, and that little nudge led to me buying my first horse in 2021. Of course, with horses comes the reality check: They’re not exactly cheap. So I started thinking about a side hustle to help support my riding—and BooksbyCohen was born in 2022.
As time went on, my business slowly started to grow. I built a strong following of small but loyal clients, and I began to recognize the niche I had tapped into. I saw firsthand the gaps in the equestrian industry—not just in bookkeeping or financial advice, but in the deeper systems and processes that so many professionals struggle with. In 2024, I rebranded to HoofBooks—a name that bridges my accounting expertise and my passion for horses. And now, I’m developing an app that will help revolutionize the industry in a very unique way. It’s not just about numbers—it’s about giving equestrian businesses real tools to grow, streamline and thrive.
How has your role evolved over time?
As HoofBooks began to grow, my role naturally started to shift. In the early days, I was deep in the weeds—doing all the work myself, from managing books to handling every client interaction. But as the business evolved, so did I. These days, I’ve stepped more into a big-picture role—focusing on strategy, reviewing and scaling, rather than doing.
A huge part of that evolution is thanks to the incredible team I’ve built. I have three amazing people working alongside me—Caroline Light, Sheridan O’Shaughnessy and Devon Scales—all of whom bring both financial expertise and horse-industry knowledge to the table. Their insight and dedication have helped grow HoofBooks in ways I couldn’t have imagined when I first started. In just one year, we’ve grown from 15 clients to 33, and our goal is to hit 40 by the end of 2025. That kind of growth wouldn’t be possible without this team, and I’m so grateful for the talent and passion they bring to the business every day.
What part does your company play in the horse world?
HoofBooks plays a behind-the-scenes—but incredibly important—role in the horse world. We specialize in helping equestrian professionals and businesses stay financially organized, efficient and empowered. From barn owners and trainers to show barns and independent equine professionals, we support the people who make this industry run. At its core, HoofBooks exists to help equestrian businesses grow sustainably, stay financially healthy and, ultimately, focus more on what they love—horses.
What’s the best part about having an equestrian company?
The best part about having an equestrian company is 100% the people—and getting to see the inner workings of so many different types of businesses within the industry. Every barn, trainer and equestrian business runs a little differently, and over time I’ve built a ton of knowledge around what works well—and what doesn’t.
When I stepped away from the horse industry a few years ago, I remember how much I missed being at the shows, being up at the ring and feeling part of the action. Creating HoofBooks has truly closed that gap for me. Now I get to support the sport in a way that’s meaningful and still stay connected to the places and people I love most.
What are your goals for yourself and your business?
One of my biggest goals right now—for both myself and the business—is continuing to build out the next phase of HoofBooks. The rebrand was really intentional. I wanted the name to reflect my mission: closing the gap between the hoofs and the books—bringing together the unique needs of the equestrian world with smart, accessible financial tools. I’ve spent years working with different enterprise resource planning systems and horse-related management platforms, and I’ve learned a lot about where the industry falls short. What I’m working on now is something I truly believe will fill a much-needed gap in the space. It’s taken a lot of behind-the-scenes work, but I’m excited about what’s ahead—and I know it’s going to make a real difference.
What advice would you give to other women considering entering the business world within the equestrian market?
Organization and prioritization are everything. The equestrian world moves fast, and running a business within it requires real structure behind the scenes. One of the best things I’ve implemented is setting aside specific days to focus on individual clients. Giving one client your full attention—not bouncing between five—helps you do better work, build stronger relationships and keep things from slipping through the cracks.
Also, don’t be afraid to carve out your own lane. The equestrian market is niche, yes, but there are so many opportunities to solve real problems and bring value. Trust your instincts, stay consistent and know that there’s room for you.
For more information, visit hoofbooks.com or follow @hoofbooks on Instagram
Photos by Kacy Brown, kacybrownphotography.com
