Hay there!

Nice to meet you, I'm Maryam, Tally Riding Academy's Founder & Head Instructor.

 

My story really begins when I was 13 years old. I am a former national competitive figure skater based in California and used horseback riding as a way to relax after my rigorous competition schedule. I fell in love with horses, and decided to quit my career as a figure skater and step into the equestrian realm. 

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It wasn't until 3 years into riding, which is when I was presented with the opportunity to start my first business adventure: Fleur À Cheval. My friend at the barn, Kayla, started hand-crafting flowers for her horse Mikko - a GORGEOUS and adorable Belgian draft. She made me a few flower samples, and BOOM. 

 

With Kayla's first flower prototype, my entrepreneurial mindset, and a pair of adorable horse models, Kayla and I put our heads together and formed Fleur À Cheval, a French name translating to "The Flower Horse." I started the original company to sell floral accessories that clip into the horse's mane and tail. My vision at age 16 was to create a brand that would allow girls who never fell out of the "I love horses phase" to express their inner creativity within a global community of equestrians. As I like to say, 'Fleur À Cheval is glam from head to hoof!"

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Fleur À Cheval began on Etsy in March 2016, right as I was preparing to graduate high school. Two months into the startup the flowers became a hit in across Europe & South Africa. Fleur À Cheval's buzz-worthy colorful flowers became a social media hit and have been spotted on horses/equestrian influencers all over the world in parades, shows and photoshoots. 

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I am so grateful for the entire team's collaborative effort which earned Fleur À Cheval the 2017 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of the Year Award. 

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I will be teaching you all about riding and the lovely world of horses. I have been riding for over 10 years, and Ares is the first horse I have owned who is the heart AND start of Tally Riding Academy. I train/teach English + Western, and absolutely love what I do. In addition to running the Academy, I am a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor through PATH International. I hold my certifications in Equine Welfare from University of Florida & Equine Management from UC Davis. I have my B.A Degree in Business Administration w/an emphasis in Professional Business.

 

I can't wait to get to know you!

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