Shannon Dueck

Dueck Returned Home and Settled Down in Florida

But after spending four months in 2004 and competing in seven CDI's, placing in all of them, Dueck decided the frequent trips to Europe were too long of a time to be away from home. "It’s important at this time in my career to build up my business training and teaching at my new facility, which is conveniently located half-way between both top show grounds and Wellington.”

Dueck Dressage is a busy barn with several horses in training and several students keeping Dueck busy. She also enjoys teaching event riders, saying, "They're not afraid to kick on!" Despite having moved to Florida several years ago, Dueck still regularly travels to the Boston area, where she lived before, to coach a number of "wonderful" students through clinics. “I stay really busy when I am up north because I have many clients and friends from when I lived there.” It also enables her to compete in the numerous CDIs that are held in the Northeast during that time of the year.

Dueck’s talent as a teacher is evident in the success of some of her students. She expresses great pride in their achievements. Among these students are her grooms Deb Hilton and Andrea Houghton, whom Dueck says “have come a long way!” Student Deb Hilton was even the ABIG Adult Amateur Champion at Training Level in 2006. Dueck is also proud of Jean Klaucke who is doing wonders with horses started by Dueck. Klaucke bought the 11-year-old Otharr from Dueck as a four-year-old and he is now ready for Grand Prix. She also owns the six-year-old Martini, bought from Dueck as a four-year-old. Tividor was bought by Krystalann Shingler from Dueck as a five-year-old. That horse was started by Dueck as a three-year-old. Now seven, he is making his debut at Dressage at Devon in 2007.

After leaving home as a young rider to pursue her eventing career, Dueck struggled financially. Realizing she should get an education, and have a "real job" to pay for the horses, she went back to school. She first got her B.Sc. from the University of British Columbia and subsequently attended Texas A&M University on a full scholarship while earning her Masters degree in Equine Nutrition. Her thesis "Feeding Fat to Racehorses" developed her expertise in the special nutritional needs of the equine athlete.

Dueck’s subsequent years as a faculty member at Johnson and Wales University in Equine Nutrition and Physiology, gave her a solid foundation as an educator, one her riding students benefit from today.

Riding and teaching leaves little time for interests away from the barn. She says that her life with horses has given her a chance to excel, and taught her about perseverance, dedication, hard work and patience. "It has enabled me to develop this incredible relationship with a special horse, and taught me that all horses are special if you listen to them. They have taught me how to 'fly without wings'!" Dueck adds that horses have allowed her to meet some really special people who are as passionate as she is about horses.