MEET THE
Face Behind EQui-link
Brighton McBride
Brighton McBride is the new owner of Equi‑Link. Growing up showing quarter horses across the country, Brighton turned a lifelong passion into a career in equine media and marketing. Today, she leads Equi‑Link with one clear goal: to make buying and selling horses easier, more transparent, and more successful for everyone involved.
Her Story
Brighton stepped into the show pen at a young age and never looked back. Starting in local competitions, she advanced to the AQHA all-around circuit, competing at a highly competitive level with a focus on showmanship and horsemanship. Along the way, she traveled the country and trained under world-renowned professionals. These experiences sharpened her skills and fueled her passion for the sport.
Her dedication and talent led to one of her proudest milestones: being recruited as a horsemanship rider for an NCEA Division I Equestrian Team. This achievement was built not on privilege, but on relentless work ethic, resilience, and an unwavering love for horses.
Today, Brighton is a senior at South Dakota State University, pursuing a degree in Agricultural Communications with minors in Digital & Social Media, Marketing, Public Relations, and Animal Science. As a captain of the SDSU Equestrian Team, she continues to live out her passion daily; leading with teamwork, horse care, and a commitment to creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere.
Professional experience
Beyond her extensive experience in the show pen, Brighton has built a strong professional background in equine media, marketing, and communications. She has managed the South Dakota State University Equestrian Team’s social media presence throughout her four years on the team, creating engaging content that highlights athletes, horses, and the program’s community while growing its digital reach. Her industry internships further strengthened her expertise:
Backroad Trading Company – Social Media Intern
Brighton elevated the brand’s online presence through creative, analytics-driven marketing. She developed and scheduled content across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, blending polished product showcases with authentic, behind-the-scenes features. By tracking performance metrics, she identified trends and optimized campaigns to maximize reach and engagement. Collaborating closely with the product development team, she ensured digital strategies aligned with branding goals, experience she now applies to Equi-Link’s clean, effective marketing of sale horses.
Cody Parmenter Photography – Photography & Media Intern
At national-level horse shows, Brighton assisted in capturing high-quality winner backdrop photos that reflected both professionalism and personality. She coordinated with clients and event staff, managed photo package sales, and oversaw invoicing with attention to detail and customer satisfaction. These responsibilities sharpened her eye for presentation and timeliness, cornerstones of Equi-Link’s polished and trustworthy approach to horse marketing.
Together, these roles showcase Brighton’s ability to combine her equestrian background with professional-level marketing and media skills, ensuring that Equi-Link clients receive both horse-first representation and modern digital strategy.