Television personality Helen Ketchum once famously said Grandmothers are voices of the past and role models of the present. Grandmothers open the doors to the future.
For Lauren Billys Shady, 35, a two-time Olympic eventer who represents Puerto Rico, those words couldnt be truer. California-born and raised, Shady was competing in her first Fdration Equestre Internationale event at Twin Rivers Ranch (California) in 2009 when she found herself stabled across the aisle from Mark Watring, an Olympic show jumper and winner of the individual gold medals at the 2002 Central American and Caribbean Games (El Salvador) and the 2003 Pan American Games (Dominican Republic) and 2006 CACG (Colombia). Watring, who was born in Puerto Rico, had represented both the U.S. and Puerto Rican equestrian teams in international competition.
Shadys grandmother Maria Latoni, now 92, was on hand that fateful weekend to watch Shady compete and fortuitously became the impetus for Shadys switch to competing for Puerto Rico.
Latoni was one of nine children born and raised in Bayamn, a city outside San Juan, Puerto Rico. Shady encouraged her grandmother to introduce herself to Watring, and during their subsequent conversations, Watring suggested that Latoni encourage Shady to compete for Puerto Rico, as was her birthright because of her grandmothers heritage.
Fast forward 14 years, and earlier this summer Shady and Can Be Sweet, an 11-year-old German Sport Horse gelding she owns with the Can Be Sweet Syndicate LLC, won the first-ever gold medal in eventing for Puerto Rico at the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games. Most sports were held in San Salvador (El Salvador) but due to a lack of equestrian facilities, riding events were moved to Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) and held June 24-July 4 at the Centro Ecuestre Palmarejo. Shady and Charlie decisively won the event, a CCI2*-L, with a final score of 35.2. Luis Ariel Santiago Franco (53.5) and Fernando Parroquin Delfin (55.5), both representing Mexico, finished second and third, respectively.
Shady is a two-time Olympian, having competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics (Brazil) and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics (Japan) aboardCastle Larchfield Purdy, her now-21-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding. Retired from upper-level competition, Purdy now is teaching Shadys 17-year-old student Nadia Vogt about eventing.
At the recent Woodside Summer Horse Trials, held Aug. 11-13 in Woodside, California, Purdy and Vogt won the events inaugural modified division while Charlie and Shady topped the open intermediate. Vogt was the only rider in her division to carry finish on her dressage score (29.5), which she credited to Purdya horse who, in his 21 years, has survived colic surgery, battled inflammatory airway disease and evacuated (twice) with the rest of Shadys animals and family during the 2020 California wildfires.
He definitely saves you a lot, and he knows what hes doing, said Vogt, who just started her senior year of high school. He brings me so much joy when I sit on his back every day and hes just a big joy to ride. Lauren definitely has him really well-trained, and Im so glad Lauren gave me the opportunity to ride him. He loves what hes doing, still. I dont think he knows his age. Hes just excited to work every day.
We caught up with Shady after shed spent a day training at the 10-acre Carmel Valley, California, farm she shares with her husband, Jeff Shady, a home health physical therapist and semipro obstacle course racer. The couples Castillo Farm is named in honor of Purdy, as castillo means castle in Spanish.
You and Charlie won the first-ever gold medal in eventing for Puerto Rico at the recent CACG. What a huge accomplishment. Is it tough always competing as an individual instead of on a team?
Ive always been a team of one, so I dont notice the difference. I will say it poses its own challenges. My team is about the people that Ive put around me to help support me and my horses as we get to the top. I really lean on those people heavily. I think about my competitions really singularly, which has its benefits. I dont spend a lot of time looking around at what other people are doing. Im there to do my personal best. I do get support from [the Puerto Rican] Olympic Committee and federation during championships, and of course the syndicates that own my horses.
Lets talk about Charlie. Hes so handsome and in all the pictures online, hes got his ears up and looks ready for anything. Whats he like?
That horse likes to win. Sometimes I call him Grandpa in the barn because hes sort of a cautious, slow-moving guy, and hes so kind to people. Hes a barn favorite, but when you ride him he can turn it on. Hes keen to the jumps and fun to ride in a competition setting because he can really turn it on and be showy. Hes a little bit of spice and a little bit of sweet.
Are he and your former Olympic mount, Purdy, similar?
He could not be more opposite from Purdy except that he has a really big stride. Hes very light on his feet and can be a bit sharp, and hes just totally the opposite in terms of the ride. When I first got him, I went to get on for the first time. I should have longed him, but I didnt really think about it. I threw my leg over him at the mounting block, and he bucked me off without even taking a stride. But he had walked up to the mounting block like a grandpa.
Whats the story behind his name? Does he have moments where hes not sweet?
Ive understood that maybe thats true, but I havent experienced it. I got him in February 2017, as he was coming 5, from the Bavarian State Stud. Theyd kept him as a stud because of his bloodline, and I guess he could be pretty devilish. Once they castrated him, they figured out he could be sweet, too.
It sounds like he was pretty sweet indeed at the CACG. Can you take me through your rounds?
Charlie is quite good on the flat and really capable. I school fourth-level dressage with him, so when we had to do our dressage test, I knew we could lay it out. As we [headed into the dressage stadium] he grew a head taller than he is. He just rose up for that test. It was amazing. He was the best version of any horse Ive ever ridden. When he turned it on for dressage, I got excited because I knew we could play. Cross-country was interesting. It was a new course and the night before, there was a lot of rain. There was a low spot on the course, so Fence 3 and another were in standing water. The time was incredibly difficult to make because of the heaviness of the ground. I just went out and rode carefully. He lost a shoe at Fence 12 of 20-odd fences, but he really kept it together and stayed organized, and despite the fact that he lost a shoe, he jumped quite well.
Wow. And he was OK for stadium after all that?
He was fine. He jumped a really clean round, a beautiful round. And then when we got to the finish flags, all those things that were important to that day just flooded me. There were members of the dressage and show-jumping teams there to support me, so for the first time at a championship, I felt like I did have a team, and its something Ill never forget. And my grandmother was there. She watched me win gold. That was another reason it was so powerful and so cool. I think, in the moment, I was really just focused on doing my job and doing the best I could. When I reflect back on it, its such an honor. Im so proud of Charlie and his performance, and my performance, too. The fact that it rewarded us with a historical moment for our Olympic committee and federation just feels so sweet.
Was it your grandmother who got you into riding?
No. There isnt really a history of horses in my family. Both of my parents are doctors. I dont have a personal history with horses. Ive just always loved them. Id dress up my couch like a horse and sit on it, and sit on my dog and hope hed stand up, like a horse. My great-grandfather was a doctor for the coal mines, and hed ride from mine to mine on horseback, jumping the fences along the way. But I dont really know where my [passion] came from. Its really just a part of who I was meant to be.
One of your students is now riding Purdy, and they finished in first place in the modified division at Woodside. How did that feel?
It was very nerve-wracking because I want her to have as much fun as I had on him. That horse is just such a blessing. Its nerve-wracking but so rewarding to see him so happy and sharing what I got to experience with him with others. Hes pretty amazing. He loves going to competitions. He would load himself up in the trailer and go if he could.
Whats the future hold for you and Charlie? Are you looking to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris or do you have your eye on something else?
Ill be staying in California for the fall. Ill do the Galway Downs CCI3*-L with Charlie [in November], and then I have a few horses moving up from novice to training. Long term, Im going to sit out Paris and focus on getting a lot better so I can be competitive. I want to focus on my strength and being ready for Los Angeles [the 2028 Summer Olympics] with more than one horse.
When youre not riding, whats your favorite thing to do?
I love to cook. Or Im going somewhere to eat fun food or dinner, or Im with the dogs or one of our five cats. My friends and I have a group called The Supper Club, and we pretend were opening a restaurant. Im always trying to challenge myself to try something new in the kitchenexcept baking; Im definitely not a baker. Im just not good at it. [My baked goods] might look pretty but they dont taste good.
Read the original post:
Ringside Chat: With A New Horse, Caribbean Games Gold Medalist ... - The Chronicle of the Horse
- New satellite imagery reveals expanse of oil spill in Caribbean - Fox Weather - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Oil spill off Trinidad and Tobago blackens Caribbean beaches - The Washington Post - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Passenger dies aboard 9-month Royal Caribbean cruise around the world - NBC News - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Royal Caribbean Group Signs with Chantiers For Next Oasis Class Ship - Cruise Industry News - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Royal Caribbean Perfect Day at CocoCay new adult-only area: review - Business Insider - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Tourists Warned To Protect Their Passports As Thefts In The Mexican Caribbean On The Rise - The Cancun Sun - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Antigua: Elderly man charged with second homicide of 2024 | Loop Caribbean News - Loop News Caribbean - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- With Jamaica and Bahamas under travel advisories, which Caribbean islands are safe to book your next vacation? - SILive.com - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Royal Caribbean Gives Unprecedented Choice on Ultimate World Cruise - Cruise Hive - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Disney's Extensive Pirates of the Caribbean Change Officially Closes Attraction - Inside the Magic - Inside the Magic - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas: What it's like to stay on the largest cruise ship in the world - CNA: Breaking News, Singapore News, World and... - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- At Grenada's Spice Island Beach Resort, the Art of the Luxury All-Inclusive - Caribbean Journal - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Director Malaury Eloi-Paisley on Her Debut Documentary 'L'Homme Vertige,' and the Unvarnished Reality of ... - Yahoo Entertainment - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- See Royal Caribbean's newest giant cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas - Business Insider - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Preparing for Development of the Blue Economy in the U.S. Caribbean - NOAA Fisheries - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update as of 16 February 2024 - Haiti - ReliefWeb - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Europe and Latin America & the Caribbean step up cooperation on cybersecurity - EEAS - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Royal Caribbean Confirms 9-Month Cruise Will Not Go Through Red Sea and Suez Canal Due to Middle East Unrest - PEOPLE - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Where is Death in Paradise set? The Caribbean island behind the BBC show - The Independent - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Trinidad and Tobago: overturned barge leaks oil into Caribbean Sea video report - The Guardian - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- The next five venues for the Caribbean Series confirmed - AS USA - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Firing February in the Caribbean - Surfline.com Surf News - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- 5 Best Luxury Resorts in the Caribbean for Adults - Insider Monkey - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Royal Caribbean orders new ship weeks after Icon of the Seas launch - Ship Technology - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Suspect charged in fatal stabbing of woman in St Vincent | Loop Caribbean News - Loop News Caribbean - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Inside the Issue: Questlove on the Cover, Caribbean Escapes, and More - Business Traveler USA - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Royal Caribbean Unveils 2025-26 Northeast, Caribbean Sailings - Cruise Industry News - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- How to follow the 2024 RORC Caribbean 600 - RORC Caribbean 600 - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Oil Spill off the Coast of Trinidad and Tobago Drifts Into Caribbean, Threatening Marine Life and Coral Reefs - EcoWatch - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- OPCW advanced chemical response capability training for Latin ... - Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons - November 22nd, 2023 [November 22nd, 2023]
- These 3 Caribbean Destinations Are Some of the Most Popular (and ... - Travel + Leisure - November 22nd, 2023 [November 22nd, 2023]
- Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update (As of 20 ... - ReliefWeb - November 22nd, 2023 [November 22nd, 2023]
- Caribbean Cup SF on The Rise: Franklin Singodikromo - Concacaf - November 22nd, 2023 [November 22nd, 2023]
- Former Royal Caribbean Ship to Be Retired and Scrapped - Cruise Hive - November 22nd, 2023 [November 22nd, 2023]
- What's it Like to Sail on Explora I in the Caribbean? - Cruise Critic - November 22nd, 2023 [November 22nd, 2023]
- African, Caribbean Nations Agree To Pursue Reparations For Slavery - BET - November 22nd, 2023 [November 22nd, 2023]
- IDB Invest Mobilizes the Largest Renewable Energy Financing in ... - BNamericas English - November 22nd, 2023 [November 22nd, 2023]
- OPCW forum in Barbados enhances national implementation of the ... - Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons - November 22nd, 2023 [November 22nd, 2023]
- Anderson targets improvement during tenure as regional VP of ... - sportsmax.tv - November 22nd, 2023 [November 22nd, 2023]
- Jervon Sands chosen as Rhodes Scholar for Commonwealth ... - The Washington Informer - November 22nd, 2023 [November 22nd, 2023]
- The Commonwealth should establish a Reparations and Aid Fund ... - Insidethegames.biz - November 22nd, 2023 [November 22nd, 2023]
- Royal Caribbean passenger dies after excursion boat sinks on way to private island in Bahamas - NBC 6 South Florida - November 22nd, 2023 [November 22nd, 2023]
- Regional paint producers want increased tariffs on imported ... - Loop News Caribbean - November 22nd, 2023 [November 22nd, 2023]
- Former Mets Coming to Citi Field for Titans of the Caribbean Series - metsmerizedonline.com - November 10th, 2023 [November 10th, 2023]
- LIONS, MERMAIDS AND PIRATES, OH MY! ROYAL CARIBBEAN'S ICON OF THE SEAS TO DEBUT SHOW ... - Royal Caribbean Press Center - November 10th, 2023 [November 10th, 2023]
- It's not your imagination - Royal Caribbean is sending fewer ships to Europe - Royal Caribbean Blog - November 10th, 2023 [November 10th, 2023]
- I'm going on Royal Caribbean's first world cruise for 274 nights: Why I booked and what I'm expecting - Royal Caribbean Blog - November 10th, 2023 [November 10th, 2023]
- The 15 Best Spa Resorts in the Caribbean - Caribbean Journal - November 10th, 2023 [November 10th, 2023]
- British Virgin Islands to review its minimum wage | Loop Caribbean News - Loop News Caribbean - November 10th, 2023 [November 10th, 2023]
- Royal Caribbean Unveils Full-Scale Shows for Icon of the Seas - Cruise Hive - November 10th, 2023 [November 10th, 2023]
- Opportunities for Latin American and Caribbean youth facing the ... - World Bank - November 10th, 2023 [November 10th, 2023]
- Celebrity Cruises Has a New Ship Heading for the Caribbean - Caribbean Journal - November 10th, 2023 [November 10th, 2023]
- Frogs were Florida's first-known vertebrates from the Caribbean - University of Florida - November 10th, 2023 [November 10th, 2023]
- LatAm, Caribbean progress in fighting hunger, though COVID-19 ... - Reuters - November 10th, 2023 [November 10th, 2023]
- Largest Princess ship ever ported in Texas launches first Caribbean ... - CultureMap Dallas - November 10th, 2023 [November 10th, 2023]
- Why You Should Visit This Underrated Caribbean Destination Right Now - Travel Off Path - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- System in Caribbean to move inland over Central America - South Florida Sun Sentinel - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- Webinar: Launch, Grow, and Accelerate Your Sales in the ... - news.delaware.gov - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- Insurance in the Caribbean islands what's in the sector's future? - Insurance Business - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- Why the Cayman Islands Is a Caribbean Culinary Capital - Caribbean Journal - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- Integration Sector: Background Notes - Caribbean October 2023 ... - ReliefWeb - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- Coral Seeding - Restoring Coral Reefs in the Caribbean - InfoBonaire.com - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- USAID Announces $25 Million to Address the Challenges of ... - USAID - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- EXPLORA I arrives in Miami for maiden call ahead of Caribbean ... - PAX News - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- A $7000 Suite on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas Cruise - Royal Caribbean Blog - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- These Are The Top 3 Fastest Growing Destinations In The Mexican ... - Travel Off Path - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- Central America and Caribbean Price Bulletin, October 2023 ... - ReliefWeb - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- Digital Financial Inclusion: Insights and Opportunities from the ... - ReliefWeb - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- Caribbean tropical rainstorm to bring dangerous conditions to Central America - AOL - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- Why The Mexican Caribbean Is The Best Digital Nomad Hotspot In ... - The Cancun Sun - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- Curry Lobster With Potato Caribbean Life - Caribbean Life - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- Caribbean Regional Consultation Meeting on Integrated Financing ... - UNEP - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- Royal Caribbean's most expensive specialty restaurant ever will take 3 hours and cost $200 per person - Royal Caribbean Blog - August 24th, 2023 [August 24th, 2023]
- Tropical storms expected to land in Caribbean, Texas as forecasters watch 3 other systems - South Florida Sun Sentinel - August 24th, 2023 [August 24th, 2023]
- New Royal Caribbean Survey Shows the Spanish On Top - Cruise Hive - August 24th, 2023 [August 24th, 2023]
- Tropical Storm Franklin to bring possible life-threatening flooding to Caribbean - Yahoo News - August 24th, 2023 [August 24th, 2023]
- 10 Pirates Of The Caribbean Characters Who Need To Return In POTC 6 - Screen Rant - August 24th, 2023 [August 24th, 2023]
- Pirates Of The Caribbean Turned 20 This Year, And One Star Looked Back At Filming With Johnny Depp - CinemaBlend - August 24th, 2023 [August 24th, 2023]
- Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update (As of 21 August 2023) - Haiti - ReliefWeb - August 24th, 2023 [August 24th, 2023]
- New York honors Caribbean icon: Harry Belafonte receives key to the city posthumously - caribbeannationalweekly.com - August 24th, 2023 [August 24th, 2023]