By Britney Grover
Portraits by Melissa Fuller
Entrepreneurship is challenging, in or out of the equestrian world. Elizabeth Constantin knows this firsthand. Not only did she overcome those challenges to create a successful riding school, but now, she’s using everything she’s learned to help other women create thriving businesses—and healthy lives.
Elizabeth’s equestrian journey started in the same place it is now: Boca Raton, Florida. Shortly after she began riding lessons and leased her first horse, her parents purchased a horse farm. “It had a beautiful, long, tree-lined driveway that led to a picturesque red and white barn,” Elizabeth remembered. “We weren’t from a family of farmers or equestrians, but we were a do-it-yourself kind of crew. I watched my mom dive into the equestrian industry and open a riding school and boarding barn. We had horses and farm animals, and held events to attract the community.”
Growing up with a riding school meant competing, and Elizabeth found her heart horse early in life. At 12 years old, she met Innovator—who also happened to be 12 at the time—a chestnut gelding with a big blaze. “Our partnership gave me the confidence to become a strong rider as we spent many years together competing,” she said. “We stayed together until he passed at 30—it was a bond I have never been able to replace.”
Shortly after Elizabeth graduated from high school, her parents sold their farm—but Elizabeth was determined to blaze her own path and open a riding school herself. She began teaching lessons and learning the ins and outs of the horse industry. “You have to be willing to work long, hard days and hold yourself accountable,” she said.
Boca Riding Club
Elizabeth spent her 20s riding, teaching lessons, boarding horses and taking students to shows. During that time, she got married and had two children, Jack and Nathan. “The motivation behind my actions has always come from the desire to provide for my family,” Elizabeth shared. “However, it wasn’t an easy time in my life—I was burnt out and I didn’t understand the industry. The farm was financially in the red, my relationships suffered, and I had no support or mentors to learn how to run my business and take care of myself in a way that supported my equestrian entrepreneur lifestyle.”
In addition to financial struggles, Elizabeth had to deal with overcoming a serious riding accident as well as divorce. But her equestrian entrepreneurial spirit had not been broken. In 2012, she started fresh and created Boca Riding Club. “I wanted to attach the name of the riding school to my hometown, so Boca Riding Club felt like a natural fit,” Elizabeth said. “I began to run my program off a large facility that had many amenities, which allowed me to strengthen my program. I focused on riding lessons, summer camp and children’s events, and the response was overwhelming. Our camps would sell out and the lesson schedule was regularly overbooked!”
Boca Riding Club became successful both for Elizabeth—providing the financial security she and her family needed and even allowing her to hire other women—and for its students, prioritizing the well-being of both horse and rider and teaching in thoughtful and kind ways. “One of my favorite things about having a riding school is how fulfilling it is to share the love of the sport and the horses with so many other people,” she said. “Horses have played a significant role in my life, and it’s a privilege to extend that connection to the community.”
Despite the success of Boca Riding Club, Elizabeth knew her life was still not where she wanted it to be. “A huge shift happened for me in 2021 when I began to immerse myself in healing,” she said. “It had to start with me.”
Healing Herself and Helping Others
Elizabeth began to think about her experience in the equestrian community, and how she could contribute to it in the future—a future where women like her could operate a horse business that was both profitable and meaningful. “I believe you can fully support yourself in the equestrian industry, and you don’t have to do it alone,” she said. “This led me to begin my life coach and mindset journey. I embraced the opportunity to do something different, and what I learned about myself paved the way to transform my own life.”
As with her riding school, Elizabeth didn’t stop when she had enough for herself. As she transformed her own life, she turned it right around to offer the same to others. She is now a certified life coach, neuro-linguistic programming practitioner and equestrian mindset coach, as well as becoming one of the first to earn the USHJA Instructor Credentials last year. “It was a priority for me to invest in myself and understand the horse business,” Elizabeth said. “I made a conscious choice to learn how to trust myself and my abilities to create the life I wanted.”
Elizabeth considers it one of her biggest achievements that she fully supports herself with Boca Riding Club while also learning to expand on a personal level—and building a new equestrian business. Last year she launched Elizabeth Constantin Coaching, a private, transformative mentorship program designed to empower equestrians—specifically, women—in horse businesses. “I’m driven to guide women to step into their own power and build a life that they love, one that leaves the burnout and financial strains of the industry behind,” Elizabeth said. “With the right strategies and the right support, anything is possible.”
As a coach, Elizabeth works with clients to facilitate both personal and professional growth—a unique blend of life coaching and equestrian industry coaching. “This is not a copy-and-paste, one-size-fits-all approach,” she said. “It’s all about you, your business and your goals, where we collaborate and elevate your success on so many levels.”
In essence, Elizabeth is helping others to find exactly what she has. “Here’s my hidden gem as an equestrian entrepreneur: I’m all about embracing learning, change, growth and transformation,” she said. “Seeking wisdom and support from other businesswomen has been a significant element for success. I continuously invest the time, energy and money to build a financially healthy business that not only thrives but also lets me grow personally.”
A Healthful Life
Elizabeth’s life—and days—are now full, with operating Boca Riding Club, teaching lessons and coaching other equestrian professionals. “It’s a role that allows me to combine my passion for horses with the opportunity to create a supportive and empowering environment for equestrians,” she said.
Being a mother is another journey that Elizabeth says she cherishes deeply. This year, her 17-year-old son, Jack, is graduating from high school and beginning the next chapter of his life—a time Elizabeth describes as bittersweet for her, with both pride and nostalgia. Her younger son, 12-year-old Nathan, has started middle school, and never ceases to amaze Elizabeth with his growth and development. While neither of her boys are avid riders, horses have always been a part of their lives. “They have grown to be smart, level-headed and compassionate individuals who show empathy towards others,” she said.
Elizabeth believes our health, wealth and happiness are connected, so she has prioritized putting her health first. “This led me to be open to a new relationship—I was lucky enough to find a partner who fully embraced the horse life,” she said. “His understanding and encouragement have been invaluable to me as I navigate the world of equestrian coaching and business. It’s a special relationship where I can enjoy horses outside of the show arena with someone I love.”
No matter what the future holds, the knowledge and skills Elizabeth has cultivated will serve her well for the rest of her life sharing those same skills with others. “I am so excited for what comes next!” she concluded. “Every stage of life presents its challenges, setbacks and wins. My goal is to expand my riding school, coach and empower women in the equestrian industry, and continue to make precious memories with my family.”
For more information, visit www.elizabethconstantin.com
Photos by Melissa Fuller, melissafullerphotography33.mypixieset.com
