In talking with Taryn Young about her multiple endeavors in the equestrian world across so many different facets of the industry, horses and family are clearly at the core.
“Horses are in my life because I don’t think I could be without them,” she says.
Her mom brought her into riding at a young age, and soon she was a working student so that she could pay for lessons and horse shows. That hustle has come in handy while juggling a 14-year career in automotive advertising, a full clothing line, two small children, and the very active Instagram account that started it all.
Taryn Young says her success wouldn’t be possible without the support of her family. Photo by Stacy Tierman Photography
Beginnings
Young’s Instagram, @warmbloodsandwine, came about when she went to social media to share her equestrian journey after she started leasing her current show horse, Rayne, whom she would later purchase.
“My friends and family who weren’t into horses would never understand what I was talking about,” she recalls. “But the working woman equestrian [journey] was so relatable to so many people and gained traction.”
It certainly has, as the account has over 21,000 followers, and has led to many other opportunities. Young has done takeovers of social media pages for US Equestrian, USEF Network, USA Dressage, and PS of Sweden, to name a few. She credits the power of networking, and then taking the leap.
“It was all about me approaching and asking,” she says.
Breeches, Belts, & More
Her social media persona is also what led to her getting a foothold in the equestrian fashion space with her company, Novella Equestrian. After testing lots of different clothing items designed for riders, both through paid collaborations and her own personal purchases, Young kept finding herself imagining minor tweaks that would improve the pieces.
“Novella felt like a natural progression,” she says.
Young started her Novella Equestrian clothing company after testing much of what was already out on the market. Photo by Taylor Pence
The networking her social media presence allows has continued to be beneficial to the brand, as it makes finding models relatively easy with so many equestrian women at her fingertips.
“There are top riders I’ve been able to work with, which has resulted in some ‘pinch me’ moments, like when [2016 Olympic team dressage bronze medalist] Kasey Perry-Glass followed me,” says Young. “I just approached her and said, ‘I have a red, white, and blue shirt, would you be interested?’” (If you’re curious, Perry-Glass can be found on shopnovella.com sporting the “Team” shirt.)
Even though Young has had these opportunities, she doesn’t take them lightly.
“It’s very important to take your time with something like this because it’s your own idea,” she says. “You must have a vision and drive for it. You have to start out on the right foot and make the best lasting impression. People will give you a chance, but if that product isn’t up to their standards, they aren’t going to [buy again].”
Babies!
Novella was started soon after Covid hit, when Taryn found herself at home more due to working remotely and not needing to travel out of town to advertising meetings for her day job.
It also opened up the window to a new possibility: starting a family. She has since been blessed with two bundles of joy: her son Dunham and her daughter Parker. Young made sure to hammer home the point that she would not be able to accomplish all that she does without the assistance of those around her, which allows her to go out and attack her dreams full force.
“I have the most supportive and amazing family and husband,” she says. “They challenge me to go out and live my dreams, which has allowed me to get to where I am today.”
Barn Girl
After hearing about her full-time advertising job, being at the helm of a new fashion company, having two small children at home, and actively posting daily, you would think Young doesn’t get much saddle time—but you’d be wrong. She has carved out the time to pilot Rayne through eight show seasons, riding from Training Level to Grand Prix in dressage.
“He has the best brain, not the best movement, but his heart is so big,” says Young. “I think it says everything when you see a horse and a rider go from Training to Grand Prix because you know it’s the partnership that got them there.”
Young has piloted Rayne through eight show seasons, bringing him from Training Level dressage through Grand Prix. Photo by Fire & Earth Photo
Getting Resourceful
You may be wondering how Young balances it all.
“I like to be busy,” she says. “It doesn’t scare me when another thing is added to my plate, because I somehow just figure out how to be resourceful. I think horse girls are the most resourceful people I’ve ever known, because many people don’t have this demanding of a hobby. We’re taking care of a living thing, working, competing, juggling families, et cetera. But if it’s important to you, you figure it out.”
This article about Taryn Young appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!
