Encore Sporthorse Dressage Training Center

Location: Sanford, N.C.
Project: SBA 504 Loan for land purchase of 30 acres and covered arena construction (15,000 sq. ft).
Community Impact: Rural development, woman-owned sole proprietorship

Susan “Susie” Wiedman partnered with The Fidelity Bank and Self-Help to expand her dressage training business in a rural area between Sanford and Apex. When Susie approached us for an SBA 504 loan she had more than 20 years of experience as a self-employed horse trainer and award-winning dressage professional, competing regularly at the Grand Prix de Dressage, the highest level of competition in the world.

Operating as a sole proprietorship, Susie used her SBA 504 loan to buy 30 acres of land and construct a 15,000 square-foot indoor arena for Encore Sporthorse Dressage Training Center. Prior to this expansion, Encore Sporthorse had been leasing boarding and training space, usually without access to an indoor or covered arena, which resulted in an uneven revenue stream and limited growth opportunities. Poor weather alone was resulting in estimated annual losses of $50,000.

“My business has doubled,” says Susie. “I have 15 horses in full training now, which is a phenomenal increase in business due to the quality of facility we were able to buy.”

There are three main barns on the property, each with 42 airy box stalls, tack rooms and wash racks. Services include horse training, riding lessons, clinics and shows.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the financing,” says Susie. “We now have one of the largest equestrian facilities in North Carolina. It was nice to have someone willing to take risk on a horse farm. Horses don’t generally engender lots of confidence in lenders. This has turned out really well for us.”

For photos and more information, visit www.encoresporthorse.com