Patrick Murphy

Valencia, CA (USA)
Role(s):
Founder/Owner/Principal

Equestrian Consultants

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Location: Valencia
Industry: Sports/Recreation
Year Founded: 2004
Number Employees: 1-10 people
Description: I am a talent scout, buyer, trainer, rider, competitor and marketer of horse show jumpers. I am also a top instructor of junior and amateur riders in the same sport. From 1974 to 1977 I apprenticed with a leading National Judge and from 1977 to 1980 I judged approximately 20 shows per year. This established me as an expert on what characteristics make a winning horse or one of great value. In 1979 I was invited to work with the leading coach of Olympic riders "George Morris" and quickly became adept at all the details that comprise a top equestrian organization. From 1981 to 1986 I focused on riding and competing for fellow trainers and their clientele winning numerous championships in the process. From 1984 to 1988 I authored a monthly column for a national periodical called "Horse and Horseman". In the course I wrote a book on horsemanship using the monthly columns as chapters. In 1988 I founded Summerhill Equestrian Center and built a premier show barn in the city of Santa Clarita California. During the next 12 years I brought many students from the beginning stage to consistent blue ribbon winners. And achieved this on horses that were initially untrained but blossomed into reliable show mounts for their riders. From 2000 to 2004 I finished raising my five step kids, (I am a grandfather four times over now) and got my own two children off to a good start. In 2004 after realizing that the horses which I used to train had become so valuable I divested my real estate holdings and jumped back in with both feet. I traveled to Germany, Holland and Canada to research the market and maybe reinvest in what I call equistate. Ultimately I purchased domestically in horses that were already imported. I sold one for $40,000. and the other for $45,000. Because I chose European bloodlines my purchase price was far in excess of what I would normally authorize 25,000. and 27,000. The potential to market them for much more was hindered by my lack of sufficient working capital and cash flow due to an inadequate facility and too few horses. What I need is a working facility where I can build up to approximately 20 resale horses. I can quickly develope a healthy cash flow by collecting lesson, training, lease and show fees and then put the profit margin way over the top by selling one to three horses per month for 10-$100,000+. each. There is also the prospect of winning prize money while in the process of showing and promoting our resale horses. With a show stable built to my specifications I can lease out 20 - 40 stalls to a fellow trainer and his clients, thereby providing another source of cash flow and a captive audience for my resale horses. An equestrian center built to my specifications would fuel the appreciation of the land (about 20 acres) and the surrounding community. With sufficient funding this model could be in the black in a year and earn the honored title of "cash cow" shortly thereafter. I not only have experience but success in all facets of this business model.