Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2013/January 2014 | Page 57
EQUESTRIAN
Young Shannon is riding high
Dedication and determination are proving
the key factors in the rise to prominence of
young Island rider Shannon Cox.
Shannon is still only 10 years of age,
but has been riding for six years. And she
already has a fine collection of silverware to
show for her efforts, and is eager to build on
her achievements over the coming years.
She virtually swept the board in the recent
Isle of Wight Riding Club junior awards,
winning the dressage section on Blondie
with 18 points; the showjumping on
Newoak-Liquorice-Allsort with 11 points,
and also on Blondie, finishing equal first
with Ffleur Harris on Classic Czarina in the
Showing. That made her overall champion
with a combined total of 27 points.
Shannon added to her collection of awards
in the Sue Lightbown Memorial Dressage
by winning Class 3 - Prelim 7 and Class 4 Prelim 19, on Blondie, and taking runners-up
spot in Class 2 - Prelim 1.
Shannon got her first pony just after her
fourth birthday. She started by doing lead
rein and has progressed from there. She
acquired Mo (Newoak Liquorice Allsort)
two and half years ago after selling her lead
rein pony, and since then they have done all
disciplines together, excelling in showing.
This year they won Part Bred Ridden at the
IW County Show and then went Part Bred
champion.
Shannon not only has ponies as a big
part of her life, she also enjoys drama and
has been busy preparing to do a school
production at Arreton Primary School of the
Lion King. However, she finds ponies her
escape route from a sometimes difficult life
at home with her brother who has learning
and behavioural issues. But she copes very
well, and he goes along to support her
whenever he can.
He mother Joni, pictured above with
Shannon, said: “Ponies are fun, but she also
has to do the hard work with it. As a 10 year
old, having to come home after school every
day to muck out and ride two ponies as well
as keep up with school work can be hard, but
she tries her best and that’s all that we can
ask of her. We try to keep her down to earth
as having a pony is a big thing and most girls’
dream. So I do try to make her aware of how
lucky she is.”
Joni continued: “Blondie has come
from a pony that was turned out in a field
as a youngster to a terrific ridden pony
that doesn’t stop amazing us. As with all
youngsters, we have ups and downs. But
Shannon is never put off and just keeps
trying. She wouldn’t be where she is today
without the help of her riding instructor
Sarah Holmes, who has helped her with
everything, knowing when to push her and
when not to. I can’t thank her enough for
what she has done. Shannon wants to be
an eventer like Sarah when she grows up!”
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