Erin S. Brown,
Executive Director

Erin Brown, known as The Concrete Cowgirl, began her riding career at the Fletcher Street Stables in 1990, to then managing Fletcher Street shortly after graduating High School, for twelve years. Brown attended WB Saul Agricultural High School in Philadelphia, graduating with a Major in Equine Science. Brown has been competing with horses for nearly 30 years under the hunt seat and stock seat riding disciplines, along with showing Halter Horses.

She has extensive experience managing stables and is a strong advocate for riding programs serving her local communities. She worked as an assistant Barn Manager/ Program Director and Lead Riding Instructor for Philadelphia’s iconic Work to Ride program for several years. Brown is currently the Executive Director of Philadelphia Urban Riding Academy (PURA), a non-profit 501c3, established as an outgrowth and extension of the original Fletcher Street Stables, focused on outreach, education, and preservation of the history of the Urban Black Cowboys of Philadelphia and creating a pathway for inner city youth to interact and learn to care for horses.

She has also done projects for Redwing Shoes, Wrangler, and several docuseries locally and internationally. Her story has been the cover and featuring story in Magazines across the globe.

Brown is also the Executive Director of Concrete to Show Jumping (CTSJ), a non-profit 501c3, established in partnership with Melissa “Missy” Clark of North Run to bridge diversity and inclusion in the horse industry for both youth and adults.

Brown is an active representative on the   USEF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion External Thought Leaders Group and contributed to the development of the   USEF DEI Action Plan. From 2013 – 2020 – Brown worked with the Police Department’s Mounted Patrol unit in Philadelphia as a trainer and caretaker.

Brown is the Owner and Founder of Concrete Horsemanship, LLC. which creates successful partnerships through a Concrete understanding of your horse. Brown is also the owner and Founder of Concrete Performance Horses, LLC.