Every equestrian has challenges in their life, but some may be different than others. Shannon Duffy's challenges were not the ordinary, as she is a determined equestrian that was born with an upper extremity limb deficiency. Growing up with this condition, Shannon didn't feel different than others. She was an animal-obsessed little girl, and drawn to horses like any other girl is. The difference in Shannon's life, however, was that she spent her summers on road trips that involved days spent in a prosthetics clinic. Despite the obstacles Shannon faced, nothing stood in her way of accomplishing her goals and dreams.
Most obstacles that Shannon faced, she viewed them as an opportunity to get creative. Shannon took part in many activities such as camping, canoeing, soccer, dancing, tennis, mountain biking, weightlifting, and of course riding horses. The coaches of all these sports encouraged Shannon throughout her journey. It was within the equestrian community, that Shannon felt the need to shine on the challenges that were faced by people and that horses played a large role in their life.
Shannon is the founder of Adapt and Overcome, a community that welcomes all equestrians that face different challenges. I asked Shannon a few questions to learn more about her journey.
Q: What challenges have you overcome that have shaped who you are today?
A: "Challenges are something that come inherently with most human experiences. Having been born without my left forearm (congenital upper extremity limb loss), I've had several unique experiences of my own. I can collectively group them as moments where I had to get creative to adapt to the task at hand (pun intended). I was lucky enough to be born into a family who has a "she can" rather than a "she can't" attitude.
So whether it was learning how to steer a canoe with my aunt and uncle, dancing ballet, strengthening my throw ins for soccer, climbing through a ropes course, lifting bales of hay, jumping horses over fences, or getting a horse on the bit... there has been many hurdles, but one success has built on top of the next. I always look back to see where I've been and remind myself that things are certainly capable of being accomplished, even if it takes a little risk, creativity, or hard work."
Q: How have horses impacted your life?
A: "Not having had support from my family to have my own horse was a challenge. They knew it was a big investment and a big responsibility. They wanted me to focus on starting my career after graduating with my Bachelors. However, I really wanted to find a horse that I could love on and call my own. Nothing fancy, or papered. I was shadowing at an equine facilitated psychotherapy barn, and we went to try a horse that could have been a potential addition to their herd. It was love at first sight. A big bay mare with a roman nose.
When we showed up, this mare was packing around an 11-year-old at a local H/J barn. Once I got into the tack, I knew she was for me. Three days later, I was able to call this mare my own... and her name is Daysie. I'm not sure where my life would be had I not been so driven (or stubborn) to make this happen. I had also been able to love and enjoy horses both prior to and after Daysie came into my life. They have been able to humble me, made me realize my strengths, and have given me a drive and a purpose to my life when things weren't always so bright. I think most equestrians can relate."
Photo by Shannon Duffy
Q: You are a para-equestrian, tell us a bit about what you do in the equestrian world. Do you compete, just ride for fun, etc?
A: "I do a bit of both! In most recent years, I've ventured away from the Hunter discipline and into the Dressage world. Don't get me wrong though, I'll always have a soft spot for the Hunter Derbies. I currently train under Adriane Alvord and compete as a Grade V Para Dressage rider. I have a lease horse, Pablo's Protocol, Proto for short, he and I have been working to get to know each other. For fun, we hack out on some of the Hunt trails in the area right off of the farm. It's been fun getting to see the different estates and farms from horseback and he enjoys leaving the sandbox."
Q: You are the founder of "Adapt and Overcome Equestrian", can you tell us more about what that is and what inspired you to create it?
A: "This is a huge work in progress! Still working behind the scenes on building this idea out further. I'm working to bridge my two passions- emergency management and horses. Stay tuned!"
To learn more about Shannon, visit https://www.ao-equestrian.com/.
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