SPIRIT SONG YOUTH EQUESTRIAN ACADEMY

What SPIRIT SONG YOUTH EQUESTRIAN ACADEMY does

Spirit Song Youth Equestrian Academy (SSYEA) is a 501(c)(3) Christ-centered nonprofit operating on a 33-acre facility in Anna, Texas, founded in 2011 by Joe and Starr McAlexander. The organization delivers equine-assisted learning (EAL) programs structured around a proprietary "Building Blocks" curriculum framework (100/200/300 series) applied across youth (ages 7-18), adult personal development, couples and families, corporate/organizational teams, and veterans and first responders. Programs are built on the Equine Experiential Education Association (E3A) practitioner model and integrate GALLUP CliftonStrengths assessments for personalization. Offerings span mounted riding lessons, unmounted groundwork activities, multi-week courses, summer camps, and leadership workshops, all delivered on-site using a herd of 20 horses, ponies, and miniature horses within a 37,000 sq ft covered arena and three round pens.

The organization employs 5 staff and operates a community-led, event-driven go-to-market motion relying on direct inquiry via phone and email, facility tours by appointment, community workshops, and volunteer/donation programs. Revenue streams include program fees (youth programs, adult workshops, camps, custom corporate experiences), one-time and recurring donations, horse sponsorships, rider scholarships, and gift certificates; no public pricing tiers or rates are disclosed. Strategic partnerships include E3A (certification standards), Aspire International Foundation (Dare to Define your Destiny Leadership Workshops), Mighty Oaks Programs (veteran faith-based programming), and GALLUP (CliftonStrengths integration). Geographic footprint is limited to North Texas with all program delivery occurring at the Anna facility.

Name

SPIRIT SONG YOUTH EQUESTRIAN ACADEMY

Legal name

Spirit Song Youth Equestrian Academy

Website

https://ssyea.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Spirit Song Youth Equestrian Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Anna, Texas delivering equine-assisted learning programs for youth, adults, families, organizations, and veterans using a proprietary Building Blocks curriculum and E3A-certified methodology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine-Assisted Learning Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

Keywords

• Equine-assisted learning
• Youth development programs
• Life skills training
• Experiential education
• Horse-based mentoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Anna

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: Revenue from equine-assisted learning programs for youth, adults, families, and organizations including riding lessons, Building Blocks series, camps, and workshops
2. Donations: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization accepts one-time donations for general operations, horse care, facility maintenance, and equipment
3. Sponsorships: Horse sponsorship to cover food, vet care, and training; rider scholarships to support students with financial need
4. Gift Certificates: Program gift certificates available for birthdays, Christmas, and special occasions

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Spirit Song Youth Equestrian Academy is a Christ-centered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers equine-assisted learning and life skills development programs using E3A-certified methodology combined with GALLUP CliftonStrengths coaching. Programs serve youth ages 7-18, adults, families, couples, organizations/teams, and veterans/first responders through mounted riding, unmounted ground work, camps, workshops, and 10-week Building Blocks series delivered at its 33-acre Anna, Texas facility.

Product overview

Spirit Song Youth Equestrian Academy offers a comprehensive suite of equine-assisted life skills development programs designed for youth, adults, families, and organizations. The organization operates a multi-tiered product portfolio centered around the Building Blocks framework, which progresses through 100, 200, and 300 series levels for different audiences and purposes. Core youth offerings include Riding Lessons (Mounted Program), Building Blocks for Life programs, Life Skills Camps (Building Blocks for Life I & II, Beginner Camp, Equine-Assisted Bible Camp), and 10-week Youth Development courses (Building Blocks I Self-Discovery and Building Blocks II Relationship Skills). Adult programs encompass Experiential Learning/Custom Programs incorporating GALLUP CliftonStrengths assessments, Building Blocks to Success series, Couples & Family Enrichment, Building Blocks for Trust, Building Blocks for Teams, and Veterans/First Responder programs (Building Blocks for Self-Acceptance Alpha & Bravo). The organization also offers donations and sponsorship opportunities including Horse Sponsorship, Scholarships, and a Volunteer Program. Events include Herd Talks workshops and Leadership Workshops. The faith-based, Christ-centered nonprofit uses both mounted and unmounted equine experiences to develop life skills, emotional intelligence, communication, and leadership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and supporting.

• Equine Experiential Education Association (E3A)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2024Spirit Song's programs are structured based on E3A models. Founder Starr McAlexander holds Level I and Level II E3A Advanced Practitioner certifications with Specialty in Personal Development and Wellbeing. E3A provides training and certification standards for the organization's practitioners.
• Aspire International FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2024Ongoing partnership for Dare to Define your Destiny (3DE) Leadership Workshops. Multiple workshops conducted in 2024 and 2025 featuring experiential learning models for personal development and leadership growth.
• Mighty Oaks ProgramsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAndrew Fraser, a combat veteran and Tank Commander, runs a Mighty Oaks Programs outpost at Spirit Song, focusing on faith-based healing options for veterans.
• GALLUP (CliftonStrengths)supportingTechnology or IntegrationSpirit Song incorporates GALLUP CliftonStrengths assessments to identify individual and team strengths, using results to structure personalized equine-assisted learning programs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Equest: Equest is a Texas-based therapeutic horsemanship center serving youth, veterans, and individuals with disabilities through equine-assisted activities. Directly comparable to Spirit Song: same North Texas footprint (Wylie/Dallas), same equine-assisted learning model, and overlapping veteran and youth programming.
• Mane Stream: Mane Stream is a New Jersey nonprofit providing equine-assisted services for individuals with disabilities, youth, veterans, and corporate groups. Comparable to Spirit Song in its multi-segment equine-assisted learning model, accredited instructor staff, and structured therapeutic and life-skill curricula.
• Strides to Success: Strides to Success is an Indiana-based nonprofit providing equine-assisted learning and therapy programs for youth, adults, families, and corporate teams. Highly comparable to Spirit Song in audience mix (youth/adults/teams), facility-based program delivery, and structured curricula.
• SpiritHorse International: SpiritHorse International is a Texas-based nonprofit providing equine-assisted therapy and horsemanship instruction to at-risk youth, veterans, and individuals with special needs. Closely comparable to Spirit Song: faith-rooted values, similar youth and veteran focus, and a curriculum-driven program structure across multiple sites.
• BraveHearts Equestrian Center: BraveHearts is an Illinois-based nonprofit offering equine-assisted services and horsemanship programs for individuals with disabilities, at-risk youth, and veterans. Comparable to Spirit Song in its multi-segment equine-assisted learning mission and its operation of a purpose-built therapeutic riding facility.
• Mighty Oaks Programs: Mighty Oaks is a faith-based combat-recovery program serving veterans and first responders, and operates an outpost at Spirit Song. Comparable to Spirit Song in its Christ-centered approach and veteran/first-responder focus, and is a live programmatic partner.
• Pathways Therapeutic Riding Center: Pathways is a multi-state equine-assisted therapy nonprofit offering therapeutic riding and equine-assisted learning to children, adults, and veterans. Comparable to Spirit Song in PATH-style accreditation, multi-segment programming, and structured curriculum delivery.
• TREE House of Greater St. Louis: TREE House provides equine-assisted therapy and horsemanship programs for youth and adults with disabilities and life challenges. Comparable to Spirit Song in its nonprofit structure, multi-tier programming for youth and adults, and clinical/credentialed instructor model.

Broad incumbents

• Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl): PATH Intl is the national certifying body for therapeutic and equine-assisted horsemanship programs and accredits centers and instructors across the U.S. Spirit Song's clinical director is PATH Advanced certified, positioning PATH Intl as the standards-setting incumbent in the same industry.

Others

• Equine Experiential Education Association (E3A): E3A is the certification and standards body for equine experiential education practitioners. Spirit Song's founder holds E3A Level I and II Advanced Practitioner credentials, making E3A both a certifying incumbent and a strategic partner shaping Spirit Song's curriculum.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spirit-song-youth-equestrian-academy

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about SPIRIT SONG YOUTH EQUESTRIAN ACADEMY