UK Equestrian Stabilizes Business with New Facility with $2.9 Million Project with Capital Access Group

Capital Access Group (www.capitalaccess.com), a commercial real estate lender specializing in U.S. Small Business Administration 504 loans for growing businesses, helped UK Equestrian (https://theukequestrian.com), to secure $2,932,972 in financing to purchase an equestrian facility located at 18547 Aliso Canyon Rd., in Rancho Santa Fe, CA. Owned and operated by Graeme Dixon. UK Equestrian offers hunter/jumper training and riding lessons from beginner to advanced levels. Graeme, head owner and trainer at UK Equestrian, has been involved in the amateur hunter/jumper circuit in the San Diego area for more than 20 years.

In 2009—burned out from his prior life in the corporate world—Graeme followed his passion as an amateur jumper rider and opened UK Equestrian. He believes that more people need to “come out and be around the horses,” he says. “It’s good for the soul. It’s better than therapy, and it’s something I recommend everybody should try.”

By owning his own property, Graeme can focus on the “joy of running the business,” and growing from two to eight employees, and 20 to 100 horses. He planned for 20 percent growth each year, but he is already at his three-year goal. The new 10-acre property has a farmhouse and includes two 10-stall barns, a 16-stall barn, and two 10-stall motels and 50 outside corrals.

A horse-training facility requires lots of land, and as a business owner, Graeme cannot simply pick up and move if his lease expires. “You work very hard to grow a business, but you always have this cloud above your head–what happens if I’m told I have 60 days to move my business? If that happens, we’re out of business completely.” Because of the 504 loan however, he will be able to consolidate UK Equestrian’s two existing locations in the San Diego County area.

“Now, the possibilities are limitless, said Graeme. “No one can take the business away from me now. I can just grow. Everything I’m putting into it is here to stay.”

Graeme was thrilled with the service he received from Capital Access Group. “The lower down payment makes life easier, which was great, but the real difference is the team at Capital Access. I had a team. They listened to my story, and wanted to make it work for me. It really felt like a joint effort. It was a very positive experience.”

“The SBA 504 loan program is a great resource,” said Graeme. “Business owners need to know that instead of leasing you can buy, and long-term that’s a far better option. You now have an asset.”

“It was a pleasure helping Graeme grow his business with an SBA 504 loan,” said Warren Brazas, Capital Access Group. “There are fewer and fewer facilities that accommodate horses in the area, but Graeme found the ideal facility. He’s already grown from 20-100 horses, and he’s met his three-year projections in just a few months! We hope he will enjoy great success in the new facility.”

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