Equi-Line recently celebrated 30 years of providing horse and rider-related products and support to the community. Mary Watson, owner, said the store spent its first 10 years at Black Forest and Woodmen roads before there was a Park n’ Ride at the location, then she moved to two different locations for three years each before landing in Falcon for four years.
The store is now housed in the Latigo equestrian complex in Elbert, where its 3,200 square feet are filled with saddles, tack and clothing, along with consignment products made from local artisans such as jewelry, nicknacks for the home and western-themed gift items.
Watson said she has always had a love for horses and came from a family with many members who worked in veterinary sciences. She worked in hotel and restaurant management before working for a franchise veterinary supply store. After eight years, Watson changed direction and opened a tack store.
Watson attributes the success of Equi-Line mostly to providing consignment products. “A lot of new tack stores have gone out of business because of the internet and online shopping,” she said. “I think the reason we’ve survived the ups and downs from the economy and continue to grow every year is we offer consignment products at half the price of new.”
Supporting the community is important to Watson. Profits from store sales support many nonprofit organizations such as the 4H Club, Wounded Warriors and others. She supports horse-related organizations and their events, such as barrel racing, with prizes, money and awards. “My passion is being able to help young kids get started and help organizations, help people in the community, help nonprofits such as the therapeutic riding centers,” she said.
“We love this community and how they support us.”
Watson has been a real estate broker in the area for 20 years and works with many buyers and sellers of horse properties. She sees the growth on the eastern plains having both pros and cons. “It has to happen and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. It’s such a beautiful place to live,” she said. “Of course, people are going to move here. It’s all about how to control the growth so that it doesn’t deplete resources.”
Watson is married with three adult children and five grandchildren. Two children live in Colorado and one lives in Michigan where Watson grew up.
Equi-Line is located in the Latigo Equestrian Center at 13710 Halleluiah Trail, Elbert. The Equestrian center is owned by the Range Riders Foundation. The store is open seven days a week.
