Hidden Gems: Meet Lori Brewster Wright of Bright Creek Ranch

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Brewster Wright.

Hi Lori, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I wanted a horse from as far back as I can remember. My dad told me stories about his horse, Thunder and all the adventures he had with him. Barrel racing with his friends, riding his horse around town, and even he and my grandmother building the barn. Dad would take me and my sister over to his friend’s farms so we could sit on their horse Duke and feed him sugar cubes. It is one of the most embedded memories I have. I never understood why I could not have my own horse back then. We had enough land in the rural farm country of western New York. I know now why. Horses are expensive. Very expensive. They also require A LOT of care. When I met my husband we bought a small five-acre property in Bastrop county. There we took in a stray horse, who had bounced around with a few neighbors. I named her Poppy. She was a beautiful Paint with a kind heart. This simple action brought about a chain of events that changed our lives forever. I did not know WHAT to do with Poppy. We mostly just fed and groomed her. But I wanted so much more. I spent all my free time, studying, reading and learning all I could about how to care for a horse. I did not know anything about riding, so I found a local woman who offered riding lessons. Through her, I met other women in the local horse community. These women have become lifelong friends. I finally had everything I dreamed of. A horse, friends who loved horses and a love to share with my husband. A new chapter in my life began to unfold.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
After ten years at that small acreage, my husband and I looked for a bigger “ranch” where we could have more horses and maybe a small hobby farm. When we found our current home, I fell in love immediately with the land. I was filled with visions of how we could build this property into something even more spectacular. A real home for horses. A small and friendly horse boarding facility where we could share this special place with humans and their horses. It did not come easy. The contractors, building the barns, the fencing, the land work for the arena. It was more than we bargained for. The delays and the cost increases made me seriously question what we were doing. It seemed it would never be complete, but I was determined. The business side of things was another hurdle. Working with an attorney we created our LLC, I researched all the insurance we would need and labored endlessly on our website. All of this while both of us worked our “day jobs”.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We grew very slowly. One horse at a time. All those stalls seemed like they would never fill. I am happy to say that today, five years after we opened our doors, we are more than full. I always planned to keep things small. As the economy around the area has closed many existing boarding facilities, we have more requests than we can accommodate. We have been blessed with great boarders and wonderful horses. The land here seems to provide even the most nervous or troubled horse a sense of peace. I find that I enjoy caring for horses and learning about horses a lot more than I do riding. It’s been the greatest gift of my life. I have learned so much about horses, how to run a successful business, and most importantly, found my tribe in the horse community. I have excellent teachers, mentors, friends, and clients.

The ranch is now home to twelve horses, eight cows, two dogs, any cat who discovers where the food is in the barn, and two very grateful humans who care for these animals with all our might. We stay up all night to walk a colicing horse, we build fences in 100-degree heat, we administer medication every 3 hours, we offer comfort to these souls when they lose a friend. Above all, we make sure they are fed and cared for in the best possible way. We split the responsibilities of running the ranch. He takes care of facilities, and I handle the business and horse care. We still have our “day jobs”. But the ranch doesn’t even feel like work. It feels like a privilege.

What matters most to you?
There are things that will happen in your life that you wouldn’t have been able to dream about. Remain open to all the possibilities. Keep doing. Keep going. There is a reason for all of it.

Contact Info:

• Email: brightcreekranch@gmail.com
• Website: www.brightcreekranch.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brightcreekranch