Horses saved her life four times. Now Susan Benson is dressing riders in hope.

Some people are good at business. Some people are good with horses. Susan Benson, owner of Espoir Equestrian, has spent more than 35 years proving she’s both.

I met Susan through Women in Equine, and we clicked right away. We both love fashion and the horse world, and we both know what it takes to build a company as a woman in this industry. Espoir has brought me a new type of confidence. I wore an Espoir dress at Seed the South, the pitch competition where Horse Spot took home both grand prize checks. When I worked my first rodeo, I found out at the last minute that anyone in the chutes has to wear a long-sleeve shirt, and Susan came to the rescue. The quote, "This is my first rodeo" rung true for me but Susan made sure I was prepared. She sent me to the NLBRA Finals at the OKC Fairgrounds in her newest western shirt with running horses on it. (Finishing my rodeo ensamble still took a trip to Boot Barn.)

Whether I’m on the show grounds, at a rodeo, at a startup event or riding my hunter at home, Espoir makes me feel professional, comfortable and stylish. But the story behind the brand is even better than the clothes. Here’s Susan in her own words.

1. How did you first get into riding? Tell us about your riding journey.

I first started riding when I was 7. We were living in the UK, and my mother was homeschooling me. We drove past Windsor Park and I saw someone riding a horse. The following week I had my first horse experience. My first lesson was on a little black pony named Nipper. The instructor was on her horse, and she hooked a lead line to my pony’s bridle and off we went through Windsor Park.

When we returned to the US, I kept taking lessons. Then my parents bought a house on 3 acres across from the best barn on Long Island, NY. At 10 I got my first pony, and I went on to have a junior career in the hunters and jumpers.

I moved to New Jersey and put myself through school riding field hunters and working for Bob and Sharyn Cole at Tewksbury Farms. After that, I didn’t sit on a horse for 17 years. When my husband died, I was 40. I went back to horses then and competed in the amateur jumpers.

2. Espoir means “hope” in French. What inspired you to start Espoir Equestrian, and how does that meaning show up in the brand?

I actually bought the brand in 2022. A South African show jumper founded it, and I met her at Spoga, the big equine trade show in Germany. I became the North American distributor for the brand in 2020, one week before COVID hit.

In 2022 I got the chance to buy the brand. I had spent over 35 years building other brands, including Beval, Fabbri, Butet and Kastel, to name a few. Espoir had shown me it had great potential, so I bought it. Since then I’ve expanded the product line into lifestyle, fashion and western.

3. You’re a cancer survivor. How did horses fit into your life during and after treatment?

I always said horses have saved my life three times. Well, now it’s four! The first time was when I was a little girl of 7, living in a foreign country with no friends, and horses filled the gap. The second was when my mom died when I was 17. The third was when my husband died when I was 40 and I went back to horses. Most recently, it was during my cancer diagnosis and recovery. Horses and my passion for the sport have kept me going.

4. What matters most to you when you design for riders, and do you have a favorite piece from the collection right now?

I love how the clothes make people feel! The designs make you feel happy and confident, especially the lifestyle pieces. That’s important for the competition apparel as well, but above all, show clothes have to feel comfortable. My favorite has to be the show coats. In the Inspire, mesh or hunter style, the coat fits and looks great. When riders try one on, they put their arms forward and feel how comfortable it is.

5. What’s it like living in Ocala, the “Horse Capital of the World”? What would surprise people about everyday life there?

Ocala is the best place to be year round. There are so many different types of horse people here. It has also become a mecca for serious competition riders, with so many great venues here and within a few hours’ drive.

6. Who’s your all-time “heart horse,” and why?

My horse In Clover, aka Cheeky. He was an Irish Sport Horse by Cloverhill that I bought and showed during my comeback in my forties. He could jump the moon!

7. What’s been your proudest moment as an equestrian business owner?

Surviving, lol! No, seriously, there have been so many. Winning the AIM Awards for my work on the Beval catalog way back when. Publishing our coffee table book on horse sports, In the Irons, with my husband Gary. And most recently, launching Espoir at the Upperville Horse Show, which was a huge success.

8. Our giveaway includes a $50 donation to a cancer nonprofit chosen by the winner. Why does giving back matter to you, and are there any organizations close to your heart?

Through Espoir, I’ve been involved with pediatric cancer charities. I can’t imagine anything harder. I use the hashtag #hopeforthefuture.

I’m also very involved with dog rescue. I ran a 501(c)(3) rescue here in Levy County for three years. I love Smiles Forever Animal Rescue, which is based in Virginia and run by a friend who used to be a horse trainer. They give dogs to veterans and support them.

9. What advice would you give someone going through a hard season who wants to hold on to their passion?

Do what you love and the money will come.

10. What’s next for you and for Espoir Equestrian?

I’m excited about the future of Espoir. We’ve already started moving into the fashion and western lifestyle segments. With a bigger team, I believe Espoir can grow its audience far beyond where we are now. Stay tuned!

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Enter the Hope Looks Good on You giveaway

Some ribbons celebrate a win in the show ring. This one celebrates the people who give us hope.

To close out Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Horse Spot is partnering with Espoir Equestrian to honor Susan and everyone whose life has been touched by cancer. Espoir means “hope,” and we think hope looks good on everyone.

One winner will receive:

• An Espoir Equestrian shirt of their choice
• A $50 donation from Horse Spot to a cancer-focused charity of their choice
• A $25 Horse Spot credit toward their next horse show

How to enter on Instagram:

1. Follow @espoir.equestrian
2. Follow @horsespotshows
3. Tag a friend in the comments who gives you hope 💗

Hurry, the giveaway closes October 30 at 5 PM EST!

Thank you, Susan, for sharing your journey so openly. The best wins aren’t always the ones we take home. Sometimes they’re the barn family that stands by our side no matter what. So go tag someone who wears hope well.

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