US based, South African Grand Prix dressage rider, Shaun Mandy has enjoyed a remarkable equestrian journey that spans many continents and disciplines. Having recently relocated to Aiken, South Carolina, Shaun’s business, SM Dressage fills his days working with riders and coaching horse and rider combinations from novice to Olympians. Shaun has just taken on the ride of a rather talented 8 year old KWPN called Manny who he is very excited about and is aiming for International Grand Prix with the LA 2028 Olympics being his main goal.
Tell us about you
Shaun and his beloved Inky who he describes as his” heart horse”
I grew up on a farm in South Africa with my parents and older brother (by 19 months). A week after turning eighteen, writing my final school exam and passing my driving licence, I was on a plane with my parents to the UK. This was November 2002. My brother had already relocated due to starting University in Bournemouth. He never left Bournemouth and lives there today with his wife and their two children, while I have spent the last 22 years flitting all over the place! Most of my adult life has been in the UK (Hampshire, Surrey, Dorset, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Essex, Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wales). I did spend just under two years in Denmark working for and training with Hasse Hoffmann, riding up to 10 horses per day. In January 2023 after losing my Grand Prix horse to colic the year before and then my Jack Russell to cancer a few months later, I relocated to Uruguay, South America. This was a remarkable time in my life and during the year and a half I lived along the Atlantic ocean in this unique country, I became a certified Jay Shetty life and success coach. I had a lovely group of mostly expat clients and also trained two riders who went on to be selected for the Pan American Games.
In August 2024, I moved to Aiken, South Carolina, USA where I currently live. I have a five-year athletes visa and am aiming for the LA Olympics 2028 riding for South Africa. I have just taken on the ride of a rather talented 8 year old KWPN (Grandsire on father’s side is Totalis and Mother’s side is Crack C). Sadly he has had some terrible riding by a previous rider and so am working on healing his trauma and building trust. I am very excited about the future with this horse.
How did your dressage journey start?
Shaun at the start of a new chapter in his life with his new ride Manhattan, “Manny”. Pictured with Jo Beavis of the national saddle centre
When I was about ten years old, a neighbouring farm opened a riding school. Hillary Pelser, who owned it, took me under her wing and taught me how to ride. Most of my days after school were spent at Driefontein Farm riding different ponies and helping out. Summer holidays I would work on the pony camps she would run, and I learnt so much. I have Hilary to thank for where I am today and my love for horses.
Back then and into my early twenties, eventing was my passion. After moving to the UK and having my first job at the Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy, which also happened to be Carl Hester’s first job after leaving the Isle of Sark, I got a job with Pippa Funnell. I went on to work for Jane Holderness Roddam CVO CBE and my eventing in England began. I competed up to Intermediate level, which is 3 star level today. Fast forward a few years and I was doing some work for Eddie Stibbe, the Dutch event rider. He gave me a horse that he no longer rode. Mary had done well in the sport as a young horse and was 2nd in the 7 year old championships at le Lion d’Angers. Somewhere along the road, she had lost confidence with the cross country. She was a beautiful horse with super paces. Very leggy, Swedish Warmblood. I was having a lesson with Jennie Lorriston Clarke and she said to me, why don’t you just do dressage? I was still trying to event her, with little success. It was at this moment that I remembered Hillary saying to me when I was a boy, you will make a good dressage rider one day as you have lovely hands. And just like that, I switched to Dressage.
I went on to train with Hasse Hoffmann (Author of Dressage with Heart & Mind) in Denmark and upon returning to the UK, meeting my heart horse Euphoria E (Inky) who, 4 years later, went on to be my Grand Prix horse and my horse who got me into Carl Hester’s diary. Inky was one of Uthopia’s (Carl’s London 2012 gold medal stallion) first offspring.
I am now in the USA on my journey to LA 2028 and Sponsors and Investors are welcome! haha
Why dressage?
Shaun enjoying life in Uruguay before his recent move to the USA
Good question! I love the process of training a horse to respond to the lightest of touch and the discipline and patience it requires. The goal is always Grand Prix and every time I ride a horse, that is in my mind. The feeling of a horse that is trained in a way that makes him want to try for you is awesome.
Who do you train with?
I have had fantastic trainers and mentors through my riding career. Since leaving the UK in 2023, where I was last training with Carl, I have not had any coaching. It has only been in the last month that my new ride, Manny, has come into my life. When I have him a bit more established, I will be reaching out to Carl to see if he will do zoom lessons with me. Fingers crossed! haha. I have already said to Carl that I need to be on his list for when he is doing his clinics in the US!
What would you like to be doing in the future?
I love working with all my riders and coach horse & rider combinations from novice to Olympians. I am super excited to be back in the saddle myself and aiming for International Grand Prix here in the States with LA 2028 being my big goal.
Your Top Tip
If you really and truly want something in your life, you will make it happen. You don’t always know the timing, but it will come.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
Stay humble and you will never stop learning.
It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?
Shaun in Uruguay. He says “This was a remarkable time in my life”
I am very excited to be sponsored by Farifax saddles and the National Saddle Centre. I have ridden in Farifax saddles, bridles and girths for the last 10 years and hugely appreciate all the scientific research they have done to make the equipment for both horse and rider the best it can be. I am still building my team in the US, but thrilled to have my vet, Sarah Thompson along for the ride.
What do you think it takes to get to the top in dressage?
Perseverance, patience, a growth mindset, an independent seat, feel, to name a few things.
I believe this journey can look quite different from rider to rider.
What does a typical day for you look like?
My alarm goes off at 6am, I make a coffee and sit up in bed. I then write in my gratitude journal, practice some German and do a little bit of admin work. This is followed by exercise and stretches on my pilates mat. I leave home at 8am.
I drive 25 minutes to where Manny is stabled and ride him. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday are schooling days with Wednesday and Saturday being hacking days and Sunday day off. After I have ridden, my day is spent coaching riders and once a week I see my personal trainer. Bedtime is 9:30pm. Sleep, water and a healthy diet are important factors in my day.
Down the Centre Line
Who would be your dream horse to ride?
Glamourdale
Who is your equestrian hero?
Carl Hester
If you could have five people for dinner, who would they be?
Jay Shetty, Deepak Chopra, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bob Proctor & Dr Wayne Dyer.
Favourite horse event?
Badminton
Want More?
If you enjoyed meeting Shaun you might like to view more dressage rider “chatting with” interviews here. You can keep up with Shaun’s progress and visit his instagram page here
