Show Jumper Catherine Tyree Perseveres To Develop A Thriving New Business

From the moment her mother sat her in the saddle, Catherine Tyree knew that her love for horses was larger than life. Her early success as a junior rider and young athlete at the top of the sport would lead to milestones such as representing the United States show jumping team at just 23 years old, an accomplishment only a small handful of people have the honor of reaching in their lifetime. What she did not realize, however, is that her love of the sport would evolve into a career and business that would both challenge and fulfill her more than ever before.

Under the tutelage of John Brennan and Missy Clark of North Run as a junior, Tyree made the switch to professional status at age 26. She spent one year working at North Run in order to gain more experience in the operations and logistics of running a competitive show barn.

In November 2019, Tyree made the decision to go out on her own, creating her own business, Catherine Tyree LLC, and settled in the heart of the Wellington community.

“My parents have always been incredibly supportive of my passion and dream of being in the sport, and they were very encouraging when I started thinking about starting my own business,” Tyree recalled. “My trainers gave me a wealth of knowledge and confidence in myself, which helped me believe that I could go out on my own. Both John and Missy have given me all the tools I needed to do the job right, and they have been incredibly supportive along the way, which I am very thankful for.”

But establishing the new business would not come without its fair share of challenges.

As Tyree began work to organize the foundation of the company and tackle the common challenges that first-time business owners face, the COVID-19 pandemic put an immediate halt to horse shows around the world, instantly changing the landscape of the equestrian industry and forcing Tyree to quickly pivot her strategy.

“There are a lot of growing pains when you are first starting a business. It’s a little bit nerve-wracking to go out on your own, and COVID-19 only made things more complicated,” Tyree explained. “In some ways, it was perfect timing, because we were able to stay in Wellington for longer than usual. I was able to refine things and really get a hold on what I wanted to do and how I wanted things to be run. On the flip side, without showing so much, I found it to be difficult to continue to put myself out there as an athlete. Looking back on it though, it was a blessing to be able to really take the time and not feel pressured to hit the ground running.”

Through the trials and tribulations of the first year, Tyree faced adversity with grace and grit. She learned from each experience and opportunity that arose and used her growing knowledge to excel in her business. She found solace in her friends and family, and she continued to expand Catherine Tyree LLC with new staff members, while also acquiring up-and-coming horses, one of her favorite aspects of building a high-performance show jumping program.

“You need the right people around you who understand that getting started is the hardest part, with many bumps along the road,” Tyree said. “If you have people who are willing to stick by your side and help in whatever way they can, it makes it a lot easier. You also need a good support system with people you can lean on when things get tough. You need people cheering you on and reminding you that these struggles are something everyone goes through. I’ve been lucky to have the right people behind me to keep nudging me forward and giving me encouragement every step of the way.”

Now 27 years old, Tyree’s perseverance through new situations and difficulties during her first year of running a business has only made her into a better rider, businesswoman and equestrian. While her passion still lies in developing young, inexperienced horses, she is eager to expand her business model into training other athletes. Tyree looks forward to sharing her love for the horses and sport with the growing team beside her. She encourages those contemplating starting a new business to be persistent in what they want and to believe in themselves.

“Having confidence in yourself no matter the circumstance is key. It’s always hard, no matter what sector you’re in, to start your own business,” she said. “I tell myself that the people who are successful are the ones who stay dedicated to their career and never lose sight of what they really want. I think when it gets tough, you just have to hold your head down, keep going and know that you’ll come out on the other side.”

To learn more about Catherine Tyree and her equestrian business, follow her on social media or visit www.catherinetyreellc.com.