Today we’d like to introduce you to Nora Delay.
Hi Nora, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have ridden from a very young age – I believe before eight. I remember looking at photos of ponies in magazines and knowing I loved them before having ever seen one in person. I rode under the instruction of highly educated dressage and three-day eventing trainers until I went off to college where I had the opportunity to work for a competitive hunter/jumper trainer.
After a few years, I made the move to Utah where I worked under the guidance of a reining training before taking a hiatus to evaluate the direction of my career. After becoming pregnant with my daughter, I bought my mule Captain who has since become an integral part of my lesson program. I found out there was a need for a lesson program in Park City and with the help of an established program, started my own.
Since then my program has grown to include Utah’s only Interscholastic Equestrian Association team and many opportunities for the kids I teach including clinical with athletes at the top echelons of the industry. I constantly look for ways to improve the program for the kids I teach.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has been incredibly difficult. The support of my clients, friends, and community has been integral to the program’s success. Eight months into the start of the program/business I had a massive personal upset which resulted in myself and my daughter becoming entirely dependent on the program’s success. Since May of 2021, I have balanced being a single parent and teaching.
Additionally, I have struggled to grow at a pace that matches the need. Accumulation of appropriate tack and horses has been challenging. Overhead for this sort of business is high and can vary greatly based on aspects such as weather conditions and animal health. I was almost obligated to move from my current location and finding another location where I could operate year-round was proving to be difficult.
Additionally, Utah is isolated from other major competitive communities. The other major areas for equestrian competitions are five to twelve hours away – Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas, and Boise.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I focus on instruction of youth in horsemanship and English riding with a focus on showing them how to be successful in the hunter and jumper rings. I am one of the few riding programs in Park City equipped to teach kids from the ground up on safe, reliable lesson horses. PCET offers the only Interscholastic Equestrian Association riding program in Utah.
I am so proud that my program focuses on educational opportunities, I frequently bring in nationally competitive riders to provide further instruction to my students to ensure we continue improving. I am able to offer lessons and training for riders with a range of goals in the hunter/jumper, dressage, and three-day eventing disciplines.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Well, it is not much of a secret but my entire focus is truly on doing the best for my clients. I want the kids (and adults) I teach to have someone 100% in their corner.
This industry can be very difficult to navigate for someone just coming into it, and even for those who have been in it for a few decades. I want my clients to know that I always am trying to give them all the relevant information to make choices, and first and foremost I have their best interest at heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: parkcityequestrianteam.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkcityequestrianteam/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parkcityequestrianteam
