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Tech Topics In This Article: South Carolina startups, EventTech, SaaS
The world of horse shows includes a diverse range of disciplines, from the elegance of dressage to the thrilling heights of show jumping and hunting. These events, spanning a variety of skill levels, often share one challenge: The logistical complexities of event management.
Despite the tens of thousands of events held annually, the digital infrastructure supporting horse competitions has traditionally lagged behind.
That’s where the SaaS startup Horse Spot comes into play.
Co-founded by the Lenard family — Christopher Lenard, Michael Lenard, and Lindsay Lenard — Horse Spot addresses the pain points faced by organizers and participants alike. Their platform offers a streamlined solution for online competition registration, schedule management, real-time scoring, and secure payment processing. By complying with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), Horse Spot ensures seamless support for competitions at all levels, democratizing access to professional-grade event management.
As Michael Lenard explained to Hypepotamus via Zoom, amidst the bustle of a Florida horse competition, Horse Spot is bringing an elevated experience, previously reserved for elite shows, to every level of competition. This isn’t just about convenience. It’s about fostering a more efficient and enjoyable environment for both exhibitors and spectators.
Horse Spot operates on a volume-based pricing model, charging per entry based on the show’s level, making it accessible to a wide range of organizers. This approach reflects the company’s commitment to supporting the entire equestrian community, from local shows to national championships.
A Family Startup Story
Horse Spot’s origin story is deeply rooted in the Lenard family’s lifelong involvement in the equestrian world. Growing up in Chicago, the three witnessed firsthand the organizational challenges that plagued horse shows from the amateur to the collegiate level. This personal connection fuels their mission to modernize the industry and ultimately brought them into the startup world together after their individual corporate careers in tech and finance.
While Horse Spot has seen a lot of organic growth, the team is also spending a lot of time on the ground at competitions to build within the horse community and ensure they are creating a product that services all their customers.
Even though all three co-founders are originally from Chicago and their early investor resides in Chicago, they have now strongly established themselves in the Southeast. Husband-and-wife team Lindsay and Christopher moved to Charleston, South Carolina during the pandemic and Michael put down roots in Wellington, Florida, a well-known equestrian capital.
Being in South Carolina puts them close to the epicenter of American equestrian worlds, which is largely centralized in Kentucky, Virginia, and Florida. But the State of Georgia has also served as fertile ground for Horse Spot in its first two years of operations, as the startup has built up its presence at the popular Wills Park Equestrian Center in Alpharetta serving Cheryl & Co horse shows.
