Business as Usual, Only Better
Sarah Duhon pilots Nicholas the Third for Galway Farm at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Wayne, IL- June 19, 2024 - The talented and accomplished rider and founder of Square One, Sarah Duhon, is gracefully moving into the first summer of her new business. Duhon has spent 17 years as a professional horsewoman, having ridden horses her whole life. After starting to ride in St. Louis, Missouri, she left at age 19 to work for Patty and Richard Rogers as a working student, where she stayed for about five years. For her first professional job, Duhon was hired as a head groom, with the opportunity to advance to the rider’s position. Once she was given the chance to show, Duhon earned primary colors and was able to secure the position as a rider. She moved back to her parent’s farm after several years and started her own business, where she developed horses and competed across the country for 12 years.
Mo, Dottie, and Ben Duhon. Photo KindMedia
Last fall, Duhon decided with her husband, Mo, to relocate to Wellington, FL. This allows her to focus more on her family while still being involved in the higher end of the sport. Duhon’s two children, seven-year-old Ben and three-year-old Dottie, keep her plenty busy but are familiar faces around the horse show circuit. They can now attend school in Wellington, where the majority of the shows are during the school year.
“Taking away that responsibility for the individual customer’s plan has allowed me to put my focus - for what I feel like is the first time in my life - on me, my husband, my children,” explained Duhon.
Now, Duhon has stepped back from having her focus on the customer end and instead working more on the development of young horses for sale. This frees up her responsibilities, allowing her to be involved in coaching riders and working with horses while still being able to spend as much time with her family as she can. Duhon is catch-riding for many trainers such as Tammy Provost of Meadow View Farm (Indianapolis, IN) and Lorrie Canady of Galway Farm (Long Grove, IL). Working with these trainers has allowed her to continue to expand her knowledge base and perfect her skills while riding amazing horses.
Duhon is traveling from Wellington to shows across the country this summer as usual. With venues such as Lamplight Equestrian Center (Wayne, IL), Brownland Farm (Nashville, TN), in June, Flintfields Horse Park (Williamsburg, MI), and Parker, Colorado, in July, World Equestrian Center (Wilmington, OH), and Kentucky Horse Park (Lexington, KY), in August, Duhon has a summer packed with competition and is ready to take it on.
“My strongest asset right now is my ability to perform in the ring,” said Duhon.
She’s loving this new business model, giving her younger horses a broader audience and expanding her sales network. Staying for weeks in one place doesn’t give as much exposure and Duhon is learning how beneficial this busier show schedule is.
Emma Mechlin piloting six-year-old "I'm Just Ken" to top ribbons at Hits Chicago. Photo Maya Samlan/Marketing4Equestrians.
A key player in Duhon’s team, her niece Emma Mechlin, is a junior rider and gets to work with a lot of the young horses. With three more years in the juniors, Mechlin is gearing up for medal finals such as the ASPCA Maclay Medal Finals and the Dover USEF Huntseat Medal Finals. A new import, “I’m Just Ken” has been her teammate for the past few weeks. With as much love for the sport as Duhon has, Mechlin also enjoys getting to bring along the green horses. The pair earned some top equitation ribbons at Hits Chicago, only his second horse show.
Duhon believes that approachability and being the person people want to call are some of the best assets for success when it comes to sales. Before Duhon moved to Wellington, she called Provost to ask for advice and ended up being able to catch ride and coach for her. Another trainer she rides for, Canady, has been a connection she’s had for over 20 years. When Canady had a braiding emergency, Duhon stepped up to braid 14 horses for her.
Word of mouth is the best way to make connections and being an outgoing, easy-to-work-with person is what’s going to make you stand out. Duhon explained that many riders can make a horse look good in the show ring, but it’s attitude and personality that provide the chance for more catch rides.
“Longstanding relationships, making sure to cherish those, nurture those relationships, and make sure that is just as important as the next deal or the next ride in the ring,” said Duhon.
Duhon is excited for the future and is focused on the young horses and her family. It’s a new adventure for her and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Make sure to catch her next month at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival in Traverse City, MI.!
Contact Sarah Duhon at 314-236-1880 to schedule a clinic or reserve her for riding opportunities. Horses are available for sale and lease, place your order with Sarah or make arrangements to consign your horse.
Sarah Duhon
314-236-1880
Article by Maya Samlan