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Tuesday, October 31 2023 / Published in Sidelines Feature, Sidelines Spotlight, Weekly Feature

Peighton Deitz: Riding, Studying & Sewing Belts

By Britney Grover

Portraits by Johanna Henjes

Peighton Deitz is 16 years old, a junior in high school preparing for riding in college, and the owner and operator of Grey Horse Equestrian Belt Co. She started making her own belts when she couldn’t find any she liked well enough at shows to pay the high price for, and it evolved into a successful and growing company. Peighton continues to hand-make all the belts herself from her New Jersey home. She sells them online, through social media, at an increasing number of tack shops and at shows, where she also rides in the 2’6” hunters with her grey horse, Squid—one of two equestrian namesakes of her company name.

 

Peighton hopes to run her own fashion company someday, and she’s off to a great start, balancing her flexible business with riding and studying. “I basically have a work-from-home job at 16 years old,” she said. “I am too young to have a license, and even then, with my horses I wouldn’t be able to afford a car. All of my friends have jobs that they need to rely on other people to take them to, but for me the farthest place I need to go is my mailbox for my materials. I can make my belts as early or as late as I want; even if I end up too busy one day, I can always make up for it the next day. I like to post on certain days, but if I can’t then it’s no big deal. I really enjoy the flexibility of being at home.”

How did you become part of the horse world?

I began in the horse world at 5, not long after we moved down the street from a horse barn in New Jersey. I started taking lessons and going to horse camp. I started leasing a pony, Casper, about five years later for a short period before leasing a different pony, Pumpkin, for about a year. Then a little over five years ago ,we got Rosie, the original grey pony. I was showing 2’ with her. However, a little over three years ago, she went lame as the COVID-19 pandemic started, leaving me with nothing to really ride. Rosie has since been deemed serviceably sound for walk, trot and light canter. Rosie and I now work at horse camp together at the barn where I board, and enjoy the occasional light ride. In October it will be two years since I’ve had Squid, the second grey horse. We show at 2’6” together now. I also have recently joined an IEA team to help prepare for riding in college as I’m a junior in high school this year.

When did you start your company and what gave you the idea?

I started my company in early July of 2022 because I kept going to shows and seeing belts for sale that were expensive, especially for plain colors and a selection that I just didn’t love and couldn’t justify the price for. I’ve been sewing for about six years now so I figured I should just make my own, which is when I realized just how much people were raising the prices on them. I did a little research and chose some nice patterns and buckles for me and some friends. I was going to HITS Vermont, so I decided to make some for a more affordable price to bring there and I sold more than I expected. So then I just kept going. I started a Facebook and Instagram with a name inspired by Rosie and Squid—Grey Horse Equestrian Belt Co.

What part does your company play in the horse world?

My company can provide people with a stylish accessory while also having a purpose. I have many options of fun patterns and solid colors, along with different materials such as elastic, nylon and cotton. I have kids’ size 1”, but mostly I do 1.5” and 2”, one size fits most. I have all of these options for the same affordable price.

What’s the best part about being an entrepreneur? 

I think that the best part about being an entrepreneur is having repeat customers who actively support my business. I love seeing when they repost my page and my product, comment and share with their friends. It’s really nice to see that they like my business enough to come back and keep buying more and interacting. The support I receive from strangers who love seeing me succeed and cheer me on every step of the way helps me persevere.

 

What challenges do you face?

A challenge of having a business is balance, especially during the school year. In summer it can be easier to find time to sew and promote my business. However, during the school year it can be challenging to balance riding, school, homework and also sewing while giving myself time to unwind. To help manage this challenge at especially busy times, my mom will occasionally help answer my messages and pack some orders for me. I also struggle with marketing while keeping costs down. I’m currently enrolled in a media and marketing class in school, which I hope will give some guidance in this area.

What great things have happened because of your business?

I’ve had many opportunities and have made many connections from my business. As my business continues to grow, it reaches more people. It happens more often that I arrive at a horse show with my trailer that has my logo printed on it and people recognize me and shout, “Hey Peighton, I’m wearing one of your belts!” I’ve established relationships with people I would not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise and are now some of my biggest supporters. I also love that I’m currently selling my belts in five tack shops and counting! I’ve also done team belts for college teams as well as big and small equestrian teams.

What are your goals for yourself and your business?

One goal I have for myself is to become a fashion designer. I’d like to go to college for either fashion or business, but possibly both so that I can succeed as a fashion business owner. I’ve always wanted to work for myself instead of a large company and I feel as though my current business is giving me the right start and an idea for my future. I’m very happy with how my business has grown so far; however, I’d like to continue building my connections and possibly be a more known name.

What are your riding goals?

I ride and show with my horse Squid. I do hunters at 2’6” and am showing in Pre-Childrens. I train with Rachel Bruynell at Fertile Green Farms. A riding goal of mine is I want to be able to be very consistent in my courses and riding throughout a show and a lesson; my goal with every ride is to do better than the last one.

What’s the best thing about your life?

I think the best thing in my life is the support I get from people around me, not just for my business but for everything I do. My mom, Jaime Deitz, helps me figure out so many things in my life and I could not do it without her. The rest of my family and friends are always there to support me as well. They all have different views on life and give me different ways to view problems that come up. My friend Johanna Henjes is the one who took my pictures for this story. She was very happy that I would be in a magazine and was excited to help. I believe the people near me are the best thing about my life.

  

For more information, visit Facebook and Instagram @greyhorseequestrianbelts or greyhorseequestrianbelts.myshopify.com

 Photos by Johanna Henjes

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Tagged under: Grey Horse Equestrian Belt Co, hits vermont, Peighton Deitz, Rosie and Squid

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Events at TerraNova is pleased to release the priz Events at TerraNova is pleased to release the prize list for its hunter/jumper circuit, TerraNova Winter Series, hosted at TerraNova Equestrian Center February 14-18, February 21-15, March 13-17, and March 20-24. The series features FEI CSI 2* show jumping, cross-rail hunters, and everything in between. "There is something for everyone at the competition this year," said Mike Belisle, Winter Series Manager and Director of Sport at TerraNova. 

Now a Level 5 competition, additional prize money has been allocated to various national jumper classes. Jumper class highlights include:
🔹$65,000 FEI CSI 2* 1.45m Grand Prix 
🔹$32,000 FEI 1.45m Welcome Speed
🔹$20,000 1.35m National Prix
🔹$15,000 NAL 1.30m/1.40m/ Junior/Amateur Classic (Week 1)

The competition also features A-rated, C-rated, and non-rated hunters, offering opportunities for riders and horses of all levels to experience Florida's premier equestrian destination. Hunter highlights include:
🔹$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
🔹$1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby
🔹$1,000 Green Incentive Stake

The prize list, entry forms, and seasonal stabling information can be found at www.terranovaequestrian.com.

terranova_eq 
#terranovaequestriancenter #shareterranova #showterranova
Hot horseman takeover day 6️⃣!!! 🔥Jorge Va Hot horseman takeover day 6️⃣!!!

🔥Jorge Vasquez🔥
Between his polo career—from groom to coach—and a love of travel, Jorge Vasquez has been to 60 countries, all seven continents, all 50 states and seen all seven wonders of the world—some of them twice. “I’ve been to China, Egypt, India, Dominican Republic, Argentina, a lot of places to play polo,” Jorge said. “I wish travel was my full-time job!”
Jorge is originally from Santiago, Chile, where his dad was a racehorse trainer and his uncle played polo. “I was too cool for school,” Jorge joked, “So I ended up having to do polo.” But Jorge isn’t complaining. There are “a million things” he loves about polo. “Obviously the 
adrenaline, and then the horses—the horses are very special,” he said. “They’re very well trained, and there’s something really special about a polo pony that can read your body and take you wherever you want to go—most of the time without asking any questions!”
Now living in Lexington, Kentucky, Jorge coaches the University of Kentucky polo team, is the U.S. Polo Association midstates circuit governor and is the polo manager at Gainesway Farm, 
where he also recently became the official tour guide. “I stay busy when I’m at home—that’s why I travel!” Jorge laughed, a common occurrence with his easygoing personality. “I like to think I’ve lived a pretty good life, and I get rejuvenated by teaching the game and teaching 
young horses how to play polo. That’s my favorite thing about the sport—teaching horses to play.”

With over 30 years in the industry, Jorge’s biggest takeaway from horses is, “The nicer you 
ask, the easier you’ll get results.” With all his experience, Jorge hopes to pass on the gifts of patience and understanding to those within his sphere of influence. “And that if you pay it forward long enough,” he added, “it will eventually pay you back.”
📸Photo by Kacy Brown
Hot horseman takeover day 5️⃣!!! 🔥Jet Rusi Hot horseman takeover day 5️⃣!!!

🔥Jet Rusidovski🔥
It wasn’t horses that took Jet Rusidovski from his hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to where he lives now in Austin, Texas, in 2008. It was the weather. “I came down to visit family down here and it was negative 30 degrees in Wisconsin and it was 60 degrees here, and that was the end of it,” Jet said.

He grew up braving the cold on horseback in Wisconsin, riding and showing hunter-
jumpers from the time he was 4 all through his Junior career. “When adult life started, I had to juggle adult life and horses, and then it became my profession,” he said. Jet now works for Kelly Lorek at Southern Way Farm, training both horses and clients and traveling to shows all over the country. “Our program has been growing by leaps and bounds in the last year, and that says we’re doing something right!”

Jet hopes his experience as part of a successful program will help instill in others that everyone deserves a chance. “There were definitely times in my career I was not given a chance, and Kelly is the one who really gave me that chance,” Jet shared. “She didn’t judge me for mistakes I made in the past, she didn’t hold anything against me—she saw that I had the potential and she gave me the chance to actually show it. She gave the right coaching and the right guidance to get me where I am today, and I feel I’m in a really great place with unlimited opportunities at this point in my career.” When not traveling to shows, Jet travels to Wisconsin to visit family (weather permitting, of course) and would love to revisit childhood vacation spots in Greece and Europe, or check out the weather in Hawaii. He also prioritizes catching up with friends outside of the horse world. “If people see me around at a horse show, don’t be afraid to say hi!” he said. 
“Sometimes I’m so concentrated it looks like I want nothing to do with anyone; I’m actually just deep in thought or something. But I love to say hi to everybody.”
📸Photo by Kristie Scholten
Day 4️⃣ of our hot horseman takeover! 🔥Jo Day 4️⃣ of our hot horseman takeover! 
🔥Jonathan Cohen🔥
Most riders aren’t born into professional equestrian families; some lucky ones, like Jonathan Cohen, end up spending so much time at the barn they are practically adopted into them. 
Jonathan fell in love with horses at a friend’s birthday party while he was growing up in downtown Chicago, Illinois. At 16, he began riding with Alex Jayne—and now works for Alex’s Our Day Farm. “I’m sandwiched right between his three children in terms of age, so apart from missing their earliest years, we’ve basically grown up together,” Jonathan said. “I’m incredibly fortunate to work for a family that treats me like family.”
Jonathan’s title is barn manager. “But the job description is very loose—that’s what keeps it interesting,” he said. After he gets done riding in the morning, he starts on whatever needs to be done around the farm—which perfectly suits his love of “projects.” Outside of work and horses, Jonathan puts that passion for building into home renovation; when he’s completely renovated one home, he sells it and moves on to the next. “I love building stuff, especially when it’s something that meets a very specific need and can’t just be bought,” he said. “I’ll see things I can make better, I start working on the idea in my head, and more often than not I end up building it.”

Our Day Farm splits its time between Elgin, Illinois, and Wellington, Florida. When in Illinois, Jonathan spends much of his time building jumps. “I like to replicate some of the more interesting things we see over the course of the season, as well as anything our horses might need to practice,” he said. Clearly, Jonathan loves what he does. “I’m super lucky that when I wake up every day, I don’t have to go to work. I just go to the barn. It’s my job, and it’s definitely a lot of work most days, but really I’m just going to the barn like any other day.”
📸Photo by Melissa Fuller
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