Carlisle Academy
Carlisle Academy is a Maine-based L3C social enterprise operating from a 150-acre farm, delivering equine-assisted riding, wellness, para-dressage, and academic fieldwork programs to athletes, veterans, students, and community participants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersWaterboro, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Carlisle Academy does
Carlisle Academy is an L3C (low-profit limited liability company) social enterprise incorporated in Maine and operating from the 150-acre Spring Creek Farm in Lyman, Maine. Founded in 1998 by Sarah and Nick Armentrout, the organization delivers equine-assisted services across four program divisions: The Riding Academy (dressage, eventing, para-dressage, Pony Club, and summer camps); Equine-Assisted Services (ground-based wellness programs, veterans programs, and group wellness retreats); Farm and Nature Programs (FarmABLE for youth, FarmWELL for adults, Nature Explorers, and Working Farmscape vocational training); and the CAIETS Field School (academic fieldwork, capstone research, certificate programs, and service-learning). The Academy holds three nationally significant designations — USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Center of Excellence, PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center, and U.S. Pony Club Riding Center — that anchor its position in inclusive equestrian sport and therapeutic horsemanship.
The underlying service model combines credentialed human instructors, certified therapy horses, and a working farm environment to deliver sensory-rich, nature-based experiences. Program delivery is primarily on-site at the Lyman facility, with off-site programming for shows, rallies, and community partnerships (e.g., Kennebunk Parks & Recreation). Pricing is per-unit: private riding lessons at $60–$90 per session, group/semi-private at $70, certificate programs at $1,500 tuition, and half-day wellness retreats at $2,500 per group of up to 10. Recurring revenue also comes from annual subscription programs (Pony Club, Little Boots) and academic fieldwork placements billed to partnered universities.
The customer base is diversified across five segments: equestrian athletes, health and wellness seekers, veterans and service personnel, farm/nature education participants, and academic students/professionals. Revenue is supplemented by federal grants (notably a $52,100 VA Adaptive Sports Program grant), charitable funding through the Carlisle Foundation, and named-customer partnerships with universities (Duke, Northeastern, UNE, UNH, MCPHS), healthcare providers (Play and Prosper Therapy, Southern Maine Health Care), and community organizations. In December 2021, Carlisle closed its Therapy Center (hippotherapy and adaptive riding), narrowing the service portfolio to sports education, wellness, and academic programming.
Carlisle Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Carlisle Academy
- Legal name
- Carlisle Academy Integrative Equine Therapy & Sports, LLC
- Website
- https://carlisleacademymaine.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Carlisle Academy is a Maine-based L3C social enterprise operating from a 150-acre farm, delivering equine-assisted riding, wellness, para-dressage, and academic fieldwork programs to athletes, veterans, students, and community participants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Carlisle Academy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Equine-Assisted Therapy and Equestrian Education Services
- NAICS
- Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Single-Sport Skill Academies (Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, etc.) (MPAKAJAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sport/Show Horse Training & Performance Programs (AFAEAGAF), Equine Care & Stable Management (EDAOAOAE), Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)
Keywords
Where Carlisle Academy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Waterboro
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Carlisle Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Lesson and Program Fees: Revenue from riding lessons (private, semi-private, and group formats), pony club programs, summer camps, and therapeutic/educational programs. Fees are per diem or pre-paid blocks.
- Certificate Programs: 100-hour certificate programs in career exploration, para-dressage coaching, horse handling, and stable management at $1500 tuition plus $250 deposit.
- Wellness Retreats: Half-day wellness retreats at $2500 per agency for up to 10 people, including boxed lunch. Customizable for different group sizes and durations.
- Academic Fieldwork Placements: Tuition-based academic fieldwork placements for OT, PT, psychology, equestrian science, business, and other students from partnered universities.
- Government Grants: Federal grants such as the $52,100 VA Adaptive Sports Program grant to expand para-equestrian opportunities for disabled veterans.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Private Riding Lesson - 45 minutes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Group or Semi-Private Lesson - 1 hour |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Private Lesson - 30 minutes (ages 5-11) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Practice Ride - 45 minutes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Horse Use Fee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Coaching Fee for offsite |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Hauling Fee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Half-Day Wellness Retreat |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Certificate Programs (100 hours) |
| Subscription | Annual | Pony Club Program |
| Subscription | Annual | Little Boots Program |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | FarmABLE Program |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Discounts |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Carlisle Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Carlisle Academy is a social enterprise operating at Spring Creek Farm in Lyman, Maine, delivering a spectrum of equine-assisted and equestrian sports programs. Offerings include mounted riding instruction (dressage, para-dressage, Pony Club, summer camps), ground-based equine-assisted wellness and learning programs, veterans' services, farm and nature-based education, and accredited academic fieldwork and certificate programs through its CAIETS Field School division.
Product overview
Carlisle Academy is an integrative equestrian therapy and sports center operating as an L3C social enterprise at Spring Creek Farm in Lyman, Maine. The organization offers a multi-tiered program portfolio comprising four core divisions: The Riding Academy (equestrian sports education including dressage, para-dressage, Pony Club, and summer camps); Equine-Assisted Services (ground-based wellness programs, veterans services, and wellness retreats); Farm and Nature Programs (FarmABLE youth programs, FarmWELL adult wellness, Nature Explorers, and Working Farmscape vocational training); and the CAIETS Field School (academic fieldwork, certificate programs, service-learning, and professional consulting). The Academy partners with Play and Prosper Therapy PLLC for hippotherapy services and has received federal grants for veteran para-equestrian sport programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Riding Academy
Quantifiable outcome
- 200+ interns trained since 2011 across multiple disciplines
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Carlisle Academy
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Carlisle Academy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Carlisle Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Spring Creek FarmcoreSpring Creek Farm is the host facility for Carlisle Academy, providing the land, pastures, and farm environment where all programs are delivered. The farm is owned and managed by co-founder Nick Armentrout and serves as a mixed-power organic farm with horses, sheep, hay and grain production.
- Play and Prosper Therapy PLLCcoreOutpatient therapy service providing occupational therapy specializing in equine movement/hippotherapy and nature-based therapeutic intervention. They manage their own therapists and clients, incorporating insurance billing, while contracting with Carlisle Academy for facility, handlers, and horse use.
- Duke University OTD ProgramcoreAcademic partnership providing Level 1 & 2 occupational therapy fieldwork placements and capstone research opportunities. Duke OTD students receive hands-on experience in clinical OT programs utilizing equine movement, nature-based interventions, and para-dressage sports.
- Northeastern UniversitycoreBioengineering students participate in semester-long capstone research projects sponsored by Carlisle Academy, designing adaptive technology/equipment for equestrian athletes with physical impairments such as electronic devices for riders with visual impairment.
- University of New EnglandcoreBusiness & Sustainability students participate in internships exploring themes of entrepreneurism, non-traditional business models while engaging in curriculum design and marketing.
- University of New HampshireminorUndergraduate Occupational Therapy students integrate academic studies with horse-related learning at Carlisle.
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health SciencesminorAcademic partnership providing fieldwork opportunities for students in pharmacy and health sciences disciplines.
- U.S. Department of Veterans AffairscoreFederal grant of $52,100 from VA Adaptive Sports Program awarded in partnership with USEF and PATH Intl. to increase para-equestrian sport opportunities for disabled veterans at community, regional, and national levels.
- Kennebunk Parks & RecreationcoreCommunity partnership providing introduction to riding and horse care in group riding lessons for elementary-aged youth through KPR's recreational programs.
- PATH, InternationalcoreProfessional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship - Carlisle Academy is a Premier Accredited Center with instructors who are PATH Intl. certified. Partnership includes access to certification programs, industry standards, and professional development.
- United States Equestrian Federation (USEF)coreCarlisle is a USEF Para-Equestrian Center of Excellence specializing in para-dressage for emerging athletes and coaches. Partnership includes coach certification programs and athlete development pathways.
- United States Pony ClubcoreCarlisle is a designated U.S. Pony Club Riding Center, providing formal youth programs utilizing USPC's horse management and equestrian sports curriculum. Part of Central New England Region.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Carlisle Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mane Stream: New Jersey PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center offering adaptive riding, equine-assisted services, and veteran programs. Comparable to Carlisle in services mix, accreditation, and adaptive sports focus.
- BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center: Illinois therapeutic and educational riding center serving children, adults, and veterans with disabilities. Comparable to Carlisle's combined therapy/education/veteran programs and PATH accreditation profile.
- GallopNYC: New York City therapeutic horsemanship program serving children and adults with disabilities. Comparable to Carlisle's equine-assisted learning arm and PATH Intl. credentialing, though narrower in program scope.
- High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc. Connecticut-based PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center offering therapeutic riding, equine-assisted services, and adaptive sport programs. Directly comparable to Carlisle in mission, accreditation profile, and integrated therapy-plus-sports model.
- Hilltop Farm: Maryland USEF-recognized dressage training and breeding facility. Comparable to Carlisle as a dressage-focused equestrian academy, though Hilltop is more competition/breeding oriented and larger in scale.
- Strides to Success: Indiana equine-assisted services center offering therapeutic horsemanship and veteran programs. Comparable to Carlisle in PATH credentialing, equine-assisted learning, and veteran population focus.
- The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding: California PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center providing equine-assisted therapy, adaptive riding, and veteran programs. Comparable to Carlisle as a multi-program therapeutic and adaptive equestrian center with similar accreditation and veteran service offerings.
- Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center: Florida PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center offering therapeutic riding and hippotherapy. Comparable to Carlisle's equine-assisted services arm, though Vinceremos is more clinically focused without the sport academy component.
- National Center for Equine-Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT): Woodside, California equine therapy center where Carlisle's founder Sarah Armentrout trained early in her career. Directly comparable as a therapeutic horsemanship center; however, Carlisle retains its sports/wellness/education portfolio whereas NCEFT is more clinically focused.
Others
- EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association): Professional association setting standards for equine-assisted psychotherapy and personal development. Comparable to Carlisle as an ecosystem participant setting industry standards for equine-assisted services delivery.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Carlisle Academy social profiles
Digital presenceCarlisle Academy compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Carlisle Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Carlisle Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Carlisle Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Carlisle Academy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Carlisle Academy
What does Carlisle Academy do?
Carlisle Academy is a social enterprise operating at Spring Creek Farm in Lyman, Maine, delivering a spectrum of equine-assisted and equestrian sports programs. Offerings include mounted riding instruction (dressage, para-dressage, Pony Club, summer camps), ground-based equine-assisted wellness and learning programs, veterans' services, farm and nature-based education, and accredited academic fieldwork and certificate programs through its CAIETS Field School division.
Is Carlisle Academy a public or private company?
Carlisle Academy is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Carlisle Academy founded?
Carlisle Academy was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Carlisle Academy based?
Carlisle Academy is headquartered in Waterboro, United States, in the North America region.
How does Carlisle Academy make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Lesson and Program Fees are the primary driver. The others are certificate Programs, wellness Retreats, academic Fieldwork Placements and government Grants.
Who are Carlisle Academy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mane Stream, BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center, GallopNYC, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc., Hilltop Farm, Strides to Success, The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding, Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center and National Center for Equine-Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT). EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) is listed as an others.
Does Carlisle Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Carlisle Academy.
What industry is Carlisle Academy in?
Carlisle Academy's product category is Equine-Assisted Therapy and Equestrian Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKAJAB, Single-Sport Skill Academies (Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, etc.), with a secondary code of AFAEAGAF, Sport/Show Horse Training & Performance Programs. Its NAICS code is 61162 and its SIC code is 8200.