A mother-of-two with a passion for horses has shared her inspirational journey launching an equestrian business during the pandemic.
What started as a small project sharing line drawings for children during lockdown has become a published book series for Georgie Hibberd, who lives with her family and a menagerie of animals in Calne, Wiltshire.
The Pony Club mum was working within the education department of a racehorse sanctuary when covid hit, and after being furloughed she was looking for a new venture.
Rainbow Pony Publishing was born during the pandemic
Georgie was already an experienced artist creating animal portraits alongside her teaching work, so she thought she would put her talents to good use and provide activities for children while they had to stay at home.
She shared some simple line drawings of ponies and as these were so popular, she decided to create a colouring book with a similar theme, and Rainbow Pony Publishing was born.
“As this was a start up business, I did not have any budget to invest in advertising or promotion,” she said. “I posted in various horse groups on social media to gauge interest – and a kind lady quickly offered to make me a logo and sent me a step by step tutorial to show me how to use Photoshop in order to format the books. In return, I offered her a hand drawn portrait.”
Georgie’s work is inspired by her horsey adventures with her children, aged eight and five
The first batch of The Pony Fun Colouring Book sold out within just two days, so Georgie returned to her local publisher and a second batch was printed, proving just as popular as the first.
Since then, Georgie created The Farm Fun Colouring Book and The Pony Fun Activity Book.
The series has been so popular that Georgie has sold them as far afield as Australia, thanks to a friend living in Brisbane who helped connect her with a large retailer in the country.
Georgie and her coloured cob Benji. The family also has two ponies, two dogs, guinea pigs and hens
Georgie is now penning a children’s story entitled The Girl Who Always Fell Off, inspired by her early experiences in the saddle and “unfortunate” nickname.
She told Your Horse she has always been involved with horses and ponies, and her childhood “heart horse” Miss Ellie is still thriving today at the grand age of 27.
“My range of books currently stands at seven, plus a Pony Planner and a Date Your Own Calendar,” she said. “I’ve also produced educational booklets for colleges, as well as diagrams for saddlers, dentists and nutritional advisors.
I’m now working on a ‘Pony Problemz’ card game.”
For more information visit www.rainbowponypublishing.com
Georgie’s ‘heart horse’ Ellie, who is now thriving as a retired 27-year-old
Lead image of Georgie at work by Chloe Windle Equine Photography with kind permission of Wadswick Country Store
