Shannon at Rebecca Farm, taken by Samantha
Shannon Lilley isn’t exactly a new name for Eventing, but her newly acquired status as a Pan American team member is sure to cement it forever within the sacred realm of the pinque coats. As you recall Shannon and Ballingowan Pizazz made waves earlier this summer in the Richland Park Pan Am selection division by beating the pants off every other rider and securing their place on the boat to Mexico. In real life Shannon runs Flying Tail Farms along with Dayna Lynd-Pugh and serves as the chief d’equip for the Area VI Young Rider teams. Shannon was kind enough to do one of my “Six Question” interviews so that we at EN and the rest of the country could get to know America’s newest international star. If you are interested in reading more about her check out her personal blog along with her new Eventing USA series about the lead up to the competition.
How did you first start Eventing?
I started riding when I was 8 years old doing the pony thing in a hunter barn, which was definitely not my style. One of the other trainers at the barn helped me find another pony to lease in an eventing barn. After the first time I schooled cross country, I was hooked. I have been riding with the same trainer and barn for 23 years. About 10 years ago, we became business partners and now we are a team at Flying Tail Farms in Gilroy, CA.
So far what has been your favorite part of your journey to the Pan Ams?
I love to compete therefore, I’d have to say, the two recent shows involved in this process have been exciting, Rebecca Farms and Richland Park. The Event at Rebecca Farm is always a special one. Sarah Kelly and her late mother, Becky, have always put on a phenomenal event where all the “t’s” are crossed and the “i’s” dotted. It is a 25 hour trailer ride up there but the event is well worth it. I had never been to Richland Park until this year but was really impressed with the quality of the event. What makes this journey so special though is the horses on which I am sitting. Ballingowan Pizazz is a new ride fo me even though he has been in our barn for four years but he is truly amazing. I feel that each week our partnership gets more solid. Winning the Pan Am division at Richland was special because I feel that this horses really deserves the recognition. Forgotten Emblem is a horse Nina Gardner bred and I was lucky enough to get him a little over a year ago. Both horses have a tremendous amount of heart and rise to any challenge put forth to them. They have made this journey very special!
Who is the biggest inspiration to your riding career and why?
Dayna Lynd-Pugh. She has been my trainer, friend, mentor and now business partner for many years. If it weren’t for her I may not have continued riding as it did not come naturally to me when I was young. She embraced my work ethic and realized that quality would make up for the lack of natural ability when it came to riding. She is not only a great riding coach but she is a good role model in life and encompasses the values that we should all have to strive to be better each and every day we are on this earth. A person should never be satisfied; one can always do better, be better, work harder.
What is your favorite horse memory?
I have so many and each unique to the horses that I have at the time. I do this sport for the horses but also for the competition. I am a competitor at heart. I like to rise to the challenge of the big competitions. Looking back, all my best performances have been at big events. In 2007, I had a horse, High Patriot, who I took to Jersey Fresh. We had a good dressage test and we went around cross country really well so it came down to the show jumping. I put it to myself that we had to jump clean. I put all nerves aside, took a deep breath and started my round. I felt so clear headed as I navigated Riot through the course and he jumped a flawless, faultless round where we finished 8th. I was so excited to finish in the top 10 in my first CCI***.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
“It’s just you and me.” When I am riding on a big stage at a big show. Dayna will look and me and say that. It puts me in a calm, focused place.
“Put it in a box.” Sometimes you have to take everyday problems or emotions and put them away in order to attack the job at hand, most notably the competition at hand.
Why you ride in five words:
For the love of the horse (I know that is six.)
Everyone at EN wishes Shannon the best of luck in the coming weeks and at the Pan Ams. Go eventing.
