Shannon Duffy. Credit: Muirneen Equestrian and Sherri Holdridge
Shelly Watts started riding in her pre-teen years, but only because her friend owned horses. “As a daughter of Asian immigrants, I would have never started riding if it wasn’t for my friend Jessica. I remember riding horses and never seeing anyone that looked like me.” Later, when her daughter begged her to ride horses, Shelly was a willing advocate. But once again, when shopping for equestrian clothing, no one in the catalogs looked like them. The lack of diversity forced Shelly to question whether they belonged in the equestrian community and spurred her on a mission.
Shelly wanted to show the world that equestrian sport is filled with incredible and diverse individuals. “Riding horses was our favorite thing, so I kept going.” Her entrepreneurial spirit melded with her love of creating things and helping people. Her company Muirneen was born. The company name was derived after Shelly’s late horse, an OTTB by the famous Dynaformer.
As CEO of Muirneen Equestrian (www.muirneen.com), Shelly sets a new standard for bold and inclusive riding apparel. “Muirneen Equestrian is not just a company. It’s a powerful movement inspiring diversity, body positivity, and kindness in horse sports.” The company conducted a blind model search that requested information without photos, focused on diversity and size inclusivity.
The outcome exceeded expectation. The result of Shelly’s determination and vision is the most diverse photoshoot in the history of horse sports! Her attire for equestrians she says is, “made of the highest quality by women-owned small businesses in the USA.” Muirneen’s mission has grown into a devoted community of equestrians and non-equestrians.
You might call Shelly a trailblazer. She is taking a stance, one that sometimes can be uncomfortable. Shelly initiates conversations in the equine world regarding inclusion and diversity. By igniting discussion, she is breaking barriers. Shelly hosts regular, virtual town halls that are thought-provoking, tackling tough topics and showcasing inspiring equestrians.
Shannon Duffy, a Muirneen model, was born with a congenital limb loss. She has no left forearm and is a grade-five para-dressage rider. Shannon’s equestrian journey began at age eighteen as a barrel racer even though her family thought she was crazy. Shannon fell in love with the sport and remained in the saddle. Today she manages a noted dressage barn. As a recent townhall speaker, Shannon said, “These town hall events are vital! Open and honest conversations can build bridges and present opportunities to increase diversity in equestrian sports. I believe diversity should be welcomed in all disciplines because it makes our sport better.”
Lauren Reichler is a Muirneen townhall speaker born with cerebral palsy and Mermaid syndrome--a complete or partial fusion of the lower limbs. As a child, Lauren underwent surgeries to separate her legs. Afterwards her doctors prescribed therapeutic riding. Her parents were skeptical and nervous. But like Shannon, Lauren fell in love with the sport. Today she is on the board of Gallop NYC which uses therapeutic horsemanship to help others and is president of New York Special Olympics. Her experience with the public has been overwhelmingly positive.
Lauren wants to transform the way we label people—not as disabled, but as living with a disability. She says, “Embrace it!” The community needs to be mindful in context, voice, and terminology. She envisions that someday every show will focus on accessibility.
In a recent article by Ema Klugman, “Getting to the Playing Field: Increasing Diversity in Horse Sports,” she writes, “One of the things people love about sports is that once you’re out on the playing field, it doesn’t matter who you are: you compete equally with your opponents. The rules are the rules, and the winner is based on points scored or fastest time. The problem, of course, is getting to the playing field.” Her article confirms diversity affects the ability to be inclusive in many facets from cost to availability.
Statistics reveal, for example, that Black riders make up less than 1 percent of the United States Equestrian Foundation (USEF), and a Black equestrian has never competed for the U.S. in the Olympics.
Teresa Carter is another compelling advocate for change and conversation. She is a Marine veteran, professional horse trainer and, to say the least, determined. Teresa has persevered through racism and roadblocks. She has experienced much adversity in her own equestrian journey as a Black woman and wants to remove barriers for future generations. As a Muirneen model and town hall participant she says, “I am proud to be a model because everyone has not had the same journey. Muirneen town halls are a rare opportunity to shed light on important topics of diversity, allowing a space for learning and healing. They help make a way toward a stronger and more inclusive equine industry.”
Engaging in conversation and building a case is exactly what the American Horse Council (AHC) is attempting to do. Julie Broadway is president of the organization, the only national association exclusively representing every segment of the equine industry. Based in Washington, D.C., the AHC works daily to advocate for social, economic, and legislative interests of the U.S. equine industry. With more than 30 years of leadership in both for-profit and nonprofit sectors, Julie holds a BS, MBA, Executive Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership and is Certified Association Executive®.
Julie is a lifelong horse enthusiast ranging from recreational rider and breeder to show competitor. “When I was 13 years old, my parents sent me to 4-H Camp where I took horseback riding lessons and was hooked. Unfortunately, there were no horses on the island, so it wasn’t till college I got back to riding.”
She agrees a conversation on inclusion and diversity is vital to the industry. “We love horses because they allow us to unlock our own power. We want to invite all people to experience the power of the horse/human connection. Sharing that passion with others—by ensuring underrepresented communities are invited and welcomed to experience the power of horses—will create a greater sense of belonging for all horse lovers, and build a stronger, more sustainable equine industry.”
In building their case for diversity, the Council believes industries and organizations which prioritize DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) values will rise to the top for future generations. DEI workplaces will take on greater importance as younger generations become the dominant workforce. Early research suggests this approach can improve teamwork, spark innovation, and boost millennial engagement, and over time it might even help alleviate divisions in broader society.
The Council asserts focusing on a diverse future will increase sustainability. As cited in Harvard Business Review, diverse companies are 70 percent likelier to capture a new market and 45 percent more likely to report increased market share year over year. It's no surprise that diverse equine organizations have the expertise and networks to expand the circle of support to policymakers, donors, volunteers, and participants.
The participants in this article are inspirations and examples of resilience. Horses have dynamic healing capabilities. Everyone deserves an opportunity to experience them, whether through watching or engaging in the sport. We all can play a key role in making that happen.
Reach out to the American Horse Council at horsecouncil.org for more information on becoming DEl-friendly, and help the industry move forward together. Muirneen Equestrian invites you to join their mission in an upcoming townhall recording about Cheryl White, the first Black female jockey at muirneen.com.
Alicia Stephens Martin is a businesswoman and writer from South Central Pennsylvania. She has authored several novels; the latest will be released this winter. The Silver Cowgirls Ride Again surrounds four women in midlife who return to horses and face their diversities.