60 SIDELINES FEBRUARY 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Heide Middlebrook
Shannon Dueck’s love and appreciate of dressage
began at an early age thanks to her mother who was an
“S” dressage judge in both Canada and the USA. Shannon
holds true to her roots, riding under the Maple Leaf and
representing Canada at prestigious events including the
World Championships, World Cup, Pan American Games
and the Open European Championships.
Sidelines
visited with Shannon at her Dueck Dressage Farm in
Loxahatchee, Florida, about The World Dressage Masters CDI5*
that takes place in West Palm Beach, Florida, January 24th to the
27th and is presented by the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
In 2011 and 2012 Shannon competed in the Masters on her mare
Ayscha, who is in partnership with Sally Alksnis.
One of the attributes Shannon contributes to her success is
excellent training throughout her career. She has trained with
many dressage greats such as American Robert Dover, Hubertus
Schmidt and Wolfram Wittig of Germany. Her current support
team is Olympian Lars Peterson of Denmark, who lives in South
Florida. In addition to these excellent trainers, Shannon recently
spent six months training with Carl Hester of England who won the
2012 Olympic Dressage Team Gold Medal in London.
What do you like about having the World Dressage Masters
in Palm Beach?
It is so fantastic; it brings some of the best dressage in the
world here so that people can see what we are all striving for. It
increases our exposure as the rest of the world is watching Palm
Beach. It’s a win – win.
You were invited last minute to compete in the Masters, how
did that happen?
At this level of competition some competitors are unable to get
there due to various reasons so I was fortunate enough to be on
the invitation list to compete and was asked. Of course I said yes!
What concepts in Carl Hester’s training have most infuenced
your riding?
An attitude; he is happy with each horse each day. He asks only
what the horse is able to give. Not every horse will be a grand prix
horse and Carl accepts this. It is a happy atmosphere at his farm;
his horses train only four days a week and they go out to hack the
other two. His top horses go out in the feld so they are allowed
to be horses.
How is the chemistry working with Carl?
He is so funny, he calls me on it if I am not riding my best and
he manages to do this in such a humorous way that it makes the
criticism easy to take. He does it with such a dry British humor.
What is the best advice Carl has given you?
His philosophy: it is what it is and just enjoy the moment. To
stay humble no matter your level of success.
Lars Peterson is your current coach, what do you like best
about training with him?
His knowledge is immense but he is very respectful of my
knowledge and expertise – this makes us a great team. He also
has a wonderful sense of humor as well.
What are your riding goals?
Ayscha is 11, which makes her young and strong. Based on this
I am aiming for 2014 World Equestrian Games and 2016 Olympics
in Rio. I have a super young, smart and talented 4-year-old mare
named Ledajah. I am hoping to do the 2015 Pan American Games
with her. I also am really enjoying my coaching and looking
forward to taking that up a notch with my 20-year-old Grand Prix
horse, Korona. He recently came back to me and he is on fre, I
am teaching on him as well. He is defnitely in charge of the barn.
You are a strong advocate for breast cancer awareness, why
is that?
My mother was diagnosed in early 2009, my Aunt was
diagnosed a few months later and then I was diagnosed in August
of 2009. Before 2009 we did not have breast cancer in my family
and in one year three of four women in my immediate family were
diagnosed. It was pretty simple after this to become an advocate
for early detection.
Is there any special equestrian events you have been part of
to bring awareness?
The Challenge of the America’s happens each March and is
AMaster Competitor
e
Dressage
Shannon Dueck
and Ayscha at The
World Dressage
Masters CDI5*.
Photo by SusanJStickle.com