Nine years ago, a tiny piebald foal named Lily was rescued by a young girl called Grace Day from east Cork, inspired by her late father’s passion for horses. At the time, the idea of launching a successful equestrian clothing brand wasn’t even a glimmer on the horizon. The focus was simply Lily – keeping her safe, cared for and loved.

But as Lily grew, so did the dream of creating something that could help pay for her care and support their journey together. That dream became MPL Equestrian – a clothing brand designed by a rider, for riders, with a strong mission: to offer affordable, functional, high-quality gear that doesn’t break the bank. MPL stands for My Piebald Lily – a fitting tribute to the pony who started it all.

Today, MPL Equestrian is growing fast. From product design to website building, marketing to order packing, the brand is all run by Grace, a determined 15-year-old entrepreneur from Whitegate who proves that if you care enough about something – and work hard enough – you really can turn your passion into a business.

Something special

From the very start, there was something special about little Lily. “She’s not just the face of the brand – she’s the reason it exists,” her owner explains. “MPL is about her. Everything I do, it all comes back to Lily.”

What started as a simple act of rescue became a lifelong bond. Over the years, the two have built a strong partnership, overcoming challenges and celebrating many milestones together. Their journey hasn’t just been lived in private stables and fields, either – it has been shared with a growing online community, especially through TikTok.

“I started posting about Lily and our journey, and people really connected with it,” she says. “I think a lot of people could see a bit of themselves in our story – caring for a horse, growing up together, learning as you go.”

This connection inspired something even bigger – the desire to build something that could not only support Lily’s care and offer something meaningful to other riders. Something stylish, practical, and, most importantly, affordable.

The seeds of entrepreneurship were planted even before MPL Equestrian came into being. As a younger child, Grace kept hens and ran a tiny honesty-box business, selling fresh eggs and homemade brown bread to locals.

“I remember setting it up and checking on it every day to see if anything sold,” she says, laughing. “That was my first taste of running something. I loved the feeling of people choosing to buy what I’d made or collected.”

Those early lessons about trust, consistency, and effort – stayed with her. When it came time to think about creating something bigger, she knew she wanted to choose a product that was both useful and scalable.

“Clothing made sense to me,” she explains. “It’s something everyone needs. And I knew I could design equestrian wear that worked hard, looked good, and didn’t cost a fortune.”

MPL Equestrian was born from that vision – a desire to offer an alternative to high-end riding brands, without cutting corners on quality or comfort.

One of the most impressive things about MPL is that it’s entirely run by its young founder. She designs the clothing herself, manages the brand’s website, oversees the social media accounts, handles advertising and customer service, and tracks every order that comes in.

“I’m really proud that it’s all mine,” she says. “Every detail – from the colours I choose to the fabric and fit – I make sure it’s something I’d actually wear in the yard. I test everything.”

The focus has always been on function first. “When you’re in the saddle, schooling in all weather, or just doing jobs around the yard, you need clothes that can handle it. That’s what I design for. Tough, wearable pieces that riders can rely on.”

MPL’s signature style is clean and practical, with a growing colour range and thoughtful details designed with horse lovers in mind. It’s the kind of clothing that works hard and looks great – whether you’re mucking out or heading to a pony club rally.

Though MPL Equestrian is still a young brand, it’s growing steadily, thanks to its loyal supporters and strong social media presence. One day, its founder hopes to take MPL to one of the biggest stages in the Irish equestrian calendar: the Dublin Horse Show.

“I’d absolutely love to have a stand at the Dublin Horse Show one day,” she says with a smile. “To meet people in person, chat with customers, and have them see the clothing up close – it would be amazing. It’s definitely a big goal of mine.”

For now, she’s focused on growing steadily and thoughtfully. “I don’t want to rush it. I’d rather take the time to get things right, to keep the quality high and the designs improving all the time.”

Even though Grace has done the heavy lifting herself, she’s the first to admit that the journey wouldn’t be possible without the support of others.

“My family and friends have been so encouraging, and that means a lot,” she says. “But I also have to thank my customers. Their loyalty and the lovely messages they send honestly keep me going on the tough days.”

It’s clear that MPL isn’t just about clothes. It’s about connection – between people, ponies, and the passion that brings them together. That’s what makes it feel so real, and so relatable, especially to other young riders who dream of doing something similar.

For any readers dreaming of starting their own business – whether it’s horse-related or not – her advice is simple but powerful: know your why.

“It can’t just be about making money or copying someone else,” she says. “You have to know why you’re doing it. For me, it was always Lily. I wanted to support her, and that made it personal. That gave me a reason to keep going, even when things got tricky.”

That mindset has helped her stay focused – even when juggling school, riding, and running a brand. Confidence, she says, didn’t always come naturally – but believing in her products helped build it.

“There were definitely days when I doubted myself,” she admits. “But I believed in the quality of what I was making, and I just needed other people to try it. Once they did, they got it. And that gave me the push to keep growing.”

The future is looking bright for MPL Equestrian. While no new products are being revealed just yet, Grace hints at lots of ideas in the pipeline. For now, she’s working on expanding the colour options in her current range and keeping her focus on quality over quantity.

“I want every piece to be something I’m proud of,” she says. “Something I’d be excited to wear myself.”

And with that passion, there’s little doubt that MPL Equestrian will keep rising – just like Lily did, from foal to icon.

See mplequestrian.com.