The clicking of a needle through fabric, snipping of a scissor, typing on a computer. Breeches, saddles, boots and helmets. All of the above are involved in the sport of horseback riding, however, another piece is necessary to complete professional horseback riding attire: a belt.
Thirty minutes from Coppell High School, junior Ira Shankar trains daily for horseback riding. When she gets home from practice or school, business hours begin.
Shankar began her business, Everlasting Belts Co., selling handmade belts, in 2022. Since the age 11, Shankar has trained and competed in horseback riding. Compared to her childhood experience participating in basketball, soccer and dance, horseback riding provides Shankar with a different challenge.
“In other sports, you can rely on a teammate to pick up the slack if you are not performing your best,” Shankar said. “Whereas at the horse shows, you have to show up for yourself even when you are not feeling the best.”
Horse shows invite riders and gather consumers for equestrian-related goods. The average belt for horseback riding is made from black or brown leather, priced from $50 to $75. Amidst the horse treats, leather hats and other booths at horse shows, an elastic and buckle is all Shankar needs to create elastic belts.
“I did not have any help; I just had to wing it and hope for the best,” Shankar said.
Shankar uses sewing skills, experience in the equestrian field and social media experience to promote her products. Shankar found her interest in business after being an ambassador for The Infused Equestrian, a company which sells grooming products for horses.
“She’s got a great business mind already,” The Infused Equestrian founder Anne Dolin said. I don’t know where she gets it from. She is very, very savvy with social media.”
Shankar trains six days a week, dedicating lots of her time to the sport. Other than her experience gained as an ambassador for The Infused Equestrian, she has not taken a formal business course.
“She’s so used to running her business that she handles academics really well and I think she’s the perfect person to own a business like that,” junior Lidia Nolan said. “She just has that integrity.”
Two periods of the school day are dedicated to off–campus physical education on top of managing school work. Although Shankar claims to be a perfectionist in most aspects of life, making belts and promoting her business is her time to relax.
“If I’m stressed out with school, I can leave myself in the business world, mess around and do something different,” Shankar said. “It’s been really good for me to pursue that at a relaxed level.”
Follow @CHSCampusNews on X.
