Meet Brittany Callihan | Horseback riding instructor/ trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brittany Callihan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittany, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
Ask. Believe. Receive. From the book “The Secret” by author Rhonda Bryne. I have told myself from a teenager if it was meant to be it will be, but I have learned over the years that unless you put your dreams, wants, needs out into the world- nothing happens.

Once I started visualizing and vocalizing what I wanted to do. My dream turned into reality and I have been able slowly but surely build my business from the ground up. It has been a journey, and has taken years of hard work and waiting for the right time to finally feel like my company is a success.

What should our readers know about your business?
How did I get to where I am today? Determination! It hasn’t been an easy road. I have wanted to give up many times, but truly I am living the life I dreamed of as a little girl. As I mentioned I before I went back to college as an adult with 2 kids. It wasn’t easy, but I wanted to show my kids that even if the road turns a way you don’t expect or you hit a large bump you can still reach the finish line. I graduated in May of 2023, and my journey has been a whirlwind since.

As for my business, Callihan Equine. It started as a dream. I knew I wanted to work with horses and kids in some capacity from a young age. Even going through my college classes I didn’t know what I was going to do with my degree or what I was being called to do. I have taught riding lessons on and off since I graduated high school. I didn’t think I wanted to make that my career. Until I was shown this is exactly where I need to be right now. I want to build a safe place where kids, adults and families can come and breathe and enjoy life. Society wants us to rush through everyday, I want to preserve the simple life. My goal and intent is to teach more than just how to ride a horse to my clients, I hope to be teaching them life lessons and skills through horses.

Over the last 5 years, my company has grown from teaching a few lessons to earn some extra money to teaching full time 5 days a week. Along with my weekly lessons, I also have a horse show team of 12 riders this year which has grown from 4 riders just 2 years ago. Recently over the winter I started hosting Pre-K farm days at the barn which have been amazingly successful. I am in the process to starting Club CE, a horse club for kids- my hope is to meet weekly or bi weekly and have a place for kids who love horses to come together and learn about them affordably! Horses are expensive, life in 2024 is expensive. I try to keep my fees for these camps and clubs low so that people can afford to come and enjoy without worrying about it putting a financial burden on their families.

The basis of my program is founded around teaching people about horses in a safe, fun, and affordable environment. Every person that comes into the program is taught the basics of riding and horse care, and I explain why it is important through my teaching. So many things are rushed these days, but building a strong foundation of basic equitation and horsemanship sets my clients up to be able to take their riding anywhere they desire.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A week around north Georgia! Lets see… I would want my friend to see the beauty that surrounds us, so a trip to the mountains! Amicalola falls to see the stunning water falls, a drive through Blue Ridge to visit the downtown area, and possibly a stop at a apple farm in Ellijay if the season is right for apple picking. Another day we would visit the town of Helen, possibly tube down the river and eat at a German restaurant. There are many wineries to pick from to take in more mountain views and fresh air. My best friend is a baseball lover, so we would have to take a trip to The Battery and Truist park and hopefully catch a Braves game. The Georgia Aquarium and the Coca Cola factory would also be included as a day trip downtown. For the most part I would want to spend time showing her around my town, where I have grown up and the place that has shaped me into the person that I am today. I would want her to spend time at the barn with me getting to meet some of my lesson kids and their families, so she could see the company I have built.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My children, husband, and parents. I know that may sound cliche, but I had my daughter when I was 19 and my son when I was 21. I put my education and career on hold to make sure I was the mom my kids needed at the time. At 30, I found myself a single mom after a failed marriage with 2 almost teenagers and no plan. I knew in my heart the dream I had been dreaming for my whole life, but that reality seemed very unreachable. I found a degree program that felt like it was made for me. A bachelors in equine science with a concentration in business, the selling point, it was a fully online program. I could still be a mom and go to school. If it wasn’t for the support of my family I wouldn’t have college while working full time, being a mom and a new wife. Throughout this journey, I have met people that have supported me and encouraged me more than I could have ever asked for. I look back and I’m truly blessed and thankful for the doors that have opened ( and closed) to get me where I am today.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callihan_equine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/callihanequine/