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Premier Equestrian

“My crown jewel of entrepreneurship.”

— Mark Neihart
Premier Equestrian brand film, January 2022.
Transcript of the voiceover
  1. Why do we love our horses?
  2. At the core of this love is a relentless connection,
  3. Without beginning or end.
  4. It drives us to a higher purpose,
  5. Of care, consideration, and compassion.
  6. It drives us to strive,
  7. To be better,
  8. To try harder,
  9. And to never, ever give up.
  10. Why do we love our horses?
  11. That question may never be answered.
  12. But the outcome is indisputable.
  13. Our lives are better for it.
  14. Our connections deeper,
  15. And our care unending.
  16. Premier Equestrian.
Back story

The story

Premier Equestrian was co-founded in 2001 by Heidi Zorn and Mark Neihart.

Today Premier Equestrian is an important supplier of Equestrian products for North America.

The work

What Premier makes

At a glance

Premier today

Leadership
Heidi Zorn is President & Co-Founder, Chris Neihart is CEO, and Mark Neihart is CMO & Co-Founder.
Home base
West Jordan, Utah.
Mark’s part
Premier’s site credits Mark with consulting, designing and building arenas in the Middle East, South America, the United States and Canada, and with directing building projects and design improvements to its groomer equipment.
Who it serves
Backyard riders and small farms are the core: in 2020 Premier said 80% of its customers were small farm or backyard riders.
Where it shows up
Premier’s products can be seen at Desert International Horse Park, the Adequan Global Dressage Festival and the Pan American Games.
Dressage partner
Premier is the official dressage arena and footing sponsor of the US Dressage Finals, in a USDF partnership extended through 2027.
Over the years

Milestones

  1. 2000

    The first Classic Dressage Arena is developed: the roots of Premier.

  2. 2001

    Heidi Zorn partners with Mark Neihart, and Premier Dressage is born.

  3. 2002–2005

    The five volumes of A Matter of Trust (2002–2005), with dressage master Walter Zettl, are released; Mark filmed and produced the series.

  4. 2004

    The company changes its name to Premier Equestrian and begins distributing Burlingham Sports products.

  5. 2005

    Premier’s work with the USDF begins, with the USDF/Premier Dressage adult clinic series featuring Walter Zettl.

  6. 2010

    Premier’s Brentina Arena is used at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

  7. 2017

    The USDF archives A Matter of Trust and the book Ask Walter.

  8. 2020

    Premier’s 20th year; it is chosen to supply products for the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.

  9. 2022

    Premier is named Footing Advisor for the ECCO FEI World Championships in Herning, Denmark.

  10. 2023

    Premier opens a new, fully stocked Utah warehouse.

  11. 2024

    Premier renews its USDF sponsorship, extending the partnership through 2027.

  12. 2026

    Premier sponsors Week 6 at Desert International Horse Park, home of the $117,000 Premier Equestrian CSI3 Grand Prix, and releases A Matter of Trust* free on its YouTube channel.

  13. 2026

    Premier acquires the Burlingham Sports product line in March; by July it is back in production and on sale.

Visit Premier Equestrian (opens in a new tab)

Sources
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