Returning to Riding at 6O with Jill Shannon

This article is from the August 2020 Horse Deals magazine.

Jill, how did you first get involved with horses? I grew up in a small village in England, four miles from Burghley, where the famous horse trials are held annually. The whole area around us was farm land, riding schools and horses. I loved animals, in particular horses, and always wanted to learn to ride. My parents were not “horsey” but understood my passion and let me take riding lessons. I used to go once a week to the riding school in our village, and then joined in some of the school holiday programs and met other girls who had their own ponies. The owner of the riding school, Michael Stokes, would let me stay with the other girls and help care for his hunters and all the school horses. I saved up enough money by doing a paper round to buy my first pony when I was about 13 – Cabin Boy, a 13.2hh bay Welsh Cob. For the next four to five years, together with the other girls, days were always spent with the horses - we would leave home at dawn and not get home until dark. We all joined the local pony club and sometimes competed in local gymkhanas and hunter trials. Riding, back then, was my life.

When and how did other priorities take hold? At 18 I had to leave home to go to college — I therefore had to sell my horse. She was the last horse I was to own until recently. Once I graduated, I moved to London for work, and after working for a while I decided to travel around Europe and then to Australia. I arrived in Melbourne in September 1981. I met Geoff in 1982, and we married in 1986 and have two children, Patrick who is 33 and Kelly who is 31. With work and family commitments, horses didn’t become part of my life again until my daughter showed an interest in riding.

When did your daughter’s interest in horses spark? I think Kelly was about eight years old when she showed an interest in riding. Secretly I think I encouraged her! She was taking dancing lessons at that time and we gave her the choice – keep dancing or start riding lessons? Kelly started riding lessons at Oakwood Riding School and that started her lifetime love of horses and riding. She still has a mare she bought in 2008. In 2017, she bred a beautiful foal from her which she hopes will be her next competition horse.

Did you intend to get back to riding eventually? I didn’t have any intention of getting back into riding until much much later in life. I was busy with my family and enjoyed supporting my son and daughter with their interests for many years. When Kelly left home after she completed university, I missed the daily contact with horses and it was then I thought about maybe riding again myself.

What was it like guiding your daughter’s journey with horses? I loved being part of Kelly’s journey with horses. It was almost like being back in the saddle myself as I got totally involved - as mums do. Kelly getting her first pony was a gradual progression and in 2001 Surprise, a 13.3hh grey Riding Pony, became part of our family. I became a member of Oakwood Riding School Committee of Management, and when Kelly joined pony club I became club secretary for a number of years – I met lots of new friends. Eventually I was talked into being assistant DC. A horse float was the next necessity, and then many weekends were taken up going to clinics and competitions. Kelly progressed through the grades in pony club and rode some fantastic horses. I loved being involved at the competitions, washing tails, plaiting manes and helping get everything ready. They were long days but so rewarding, and it was always lovely to meet other parents and riders with the same interests.

What made you decide to get back into the saddle? Kelly always encouraged me to start riding again, and I had a few lessons at Oakwood Riding School to get the feel of being in the saddle again, and more importantly, get my confidence and balance back. I also met other people, my age and older than myself enjoying riding lessons and I kept telling myself “I can do this”. We had an old pony of Kelly’s, Bundy, who I rode a few times before we had to say a sad farewell to him when he was 23 years old.

What was the special gift you received for your 60th birthday? When I turned 60 in February 2017, I decided my goal in life was to own another horse and ride well enough to compete in a one day event, while I still could – very small jumps of course! Kelly and I saw Jed advertised and I immediately fell in love with him – not too big, a little chunky, a kind eye, plus very “pretty”. My husband Geoff told me he would buy him for me and Kelly said she would help get him started, so Jed ended up coming home with me. I never intended to buy an unbroken 3-year-old... Jed is a Fjord Horse x Quarter Horse and is now six years old. He has matured just under 15hh and is dun in colour with a white star.

How many years had you been out of the saddle and what was it like to be back? It had been 42 years since I had been in the saddle to when I started riding lessons again and was given Jed. Getting back in the saddle was amazing, however it is a very different experience now to what it used to be when I was younger. I don’t have the “no fear” or “I can do anything” attitude I used to have when I was a teenager. I am a confident but cautious rider. Sometimes I find I have to push myself a little out of my comfort zone and do things I am nervous about doing.

How have you and Jed clicked together? Jed is the most loving and cruisy horse I have ever known. He is almost like a big dog. If I left the kitchen door open he would come inside. He is very inquisitive and interested in everything that is going on around him. Every time I go out of the house I hear him calling out to me – he would love 100% attention if he could have it. He loves people and he is my dream horse.

What was your first competition with Jed and how was the experience? My first competition with Jed was at the EV Masters Games in Werribee, Victoria. I was talked into entering by some friends who had been the year before and had a great time. I packed up the float and my bedding for the night and headed down early Saturday morning. I had booked a yard for Jed and I slept in the float. Kelly drove down to help me as soon as she finished work that day. I entered two dressage tests in the over 60 class. Jed was fantastic. He was so chilled and nothing going on around him bothered him. I was very nervous before my first test but after I completed it I realised, I could do this again! We had a great day. We came second in both tests, which was an unexpected bonus. I was awarded two silver medals and Jed won two lovely pink rosettes.

What did you miss the most about riding in your hiatus? I think I missed the pleasure and freedom riding gives you and the unconditional love and trust of your horse. When Jed and I are hacking along a lane on a nice sunny day, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world. I am so fortunate to be in the position to be able to ride again and to have such a lovely horse I feel totally at one with.

Where would you like to see yourself in five years? Hard to say as things in the world can change in an instant, as they have at the moment with COVID-19, but hopefully by then my husband and I will both be retired and enjoying our hobbies — me riding Jed and Geoff building his classic car. Once the world gets back to some kind of normality and competitions start again I hope to eventually achieve my goal and compete in a one day event on Jed.

What’s your advice for someone returning to riding? Do it. Push yourself a little and enjoy every moment! If you are in a position to get a horse then make sure you get the right one for you, one you trust and feel 100% confident with. If you are not fortunate to own a horse then have lessons at a local riding school – you will find the experience really rewarding and the school horses just amazing.

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