Royale Ranch CEO brings life back to historic south Ottawa equestrian centre [Video]

Emily Bertrand has been hooked on horseback riding since she was four years old. 

Growing up wasn’t always easy for Bertrand, but the company of horses was a source of comfort during her youth.

“I had a bit of a rough upbringing and we were very poor,” Bertrand said. “I like to think that horses helped me develop into who I am today.”

In 2007, Bertrand wanted to share the joy she found in horses with others. She opened the Royale Equestrian Centre in Barrhaven that year with her mother Dawn Patterson. 

It takes a lot of work to start up and run an equestrian centre, said Bertrand, who described low profit margins coupled with high expenses. 

Despite the hardship, Bertrand recently embarked on an expansion. She’s teamed up with …