The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Kinross-shire duo making their names in world of sport horses
Seasoned showjumpers run LK Sporthorses
The new kids on the block in the world of sports horses are Shannon Kelly and Leo Lorimer, who are making their mark on the Scottish scene from their base at New Mains, Tillyochie, near Kinross.
Shannon and Leo, both 26, are experienced showjumpers who have competed at a high level in the UK and internationally.
They trained at Ron Brady’s yard where they met and their close friendship formed before Shannon went on to further her training with Douglas Duffin.
Now business partners, they are running LK Sporthorses, a competition and livery yard at their new home.
Shannon said: “Horses are all I have wanted to do from a very young age, so we were delighted when the fantastic facilities at New Mains came up for sale about 18 months ago.”
The yard includes 27 loose boxes, indoor and outdoor schools, and a horse walker, all set in 20 acres of post and rail-fenced fields.
Ten of the horses on the yard are their own and there are also 10 liveries, who enjoy the extra luxuries such as personal tack lockers and warm horse wash area as well as a full set of show jumps.
The horses are looked after by two full-time staff, Chester and Guilherme plus part-time, Lindsay. Leo, who is a UKCC level 2 coach, is on hand for lessons and advice.
At the moment Shannon is having to take a back seat from the daily duties as she broke her back in a riding accident when showjumping in Portugal last October.
She has been told there is no chance of her getting back on a horse for at least a year but she has not lost her passion for riding and she plans to be back in the saddle as soon as she gets the all clear.
She said: “I’m not sure if I’ll get back to the level I was – jumping 130cm and 140cm courses – but I definitely want to get back out there competing.”
The highlights of her career were competing in Spain and Portugal on the sunshine and champions tour respectively and at the event where she broke her back, she had been placed every day on her two mares, Hi Voltaire and Keira Van’t Vennehof.
Voltaire has since been retired but her other horses, including her best showjumper, Amadeus VII, have been kept ticking over by Leo and the staff in the hope she will soon be able to ride again.
Mum Louise, who helps out with the office work occasionally, said: “Shannon has kept such a positive attitude throughout two operations and enforced rest but every cloud has a silver lining and, since riding has taken a back seat, she has focused on driving the business forward.”
Shannon has organised clinics with leading showjumpers such as Geoff Billington and Laura Renwick, which have been very well-received by the Scottish jumping fraternity. She has more clinics planned including one with Irish performance coach of the year Gary Marshall, and they are also preparing to run and host their first unaffiliated show in February.
She said: “Leo and I are used to going to shows all the time and we know what we like and don’t like about an event. We plan to use that experience to run our own show and eventually a league for amateur riders.”
Time in the office has been well-spent with 11 sponsors already signed up for February 24 and 25, with a first prize of £600 for the 110cm class and prize money for all the other classes, which start at 60cm.
Shannon said: “The aim is to give amateur riders a British Showjumping experience for less expense.”
Leo started his showjumping career on ponies and competed at Horse of the Year Show and the Royal International before going on to
Horses are all I have wanted to do from a very young age, so we were delighted when the fantastic facilities at New Mains came up for sale
horses. His best mare is Candela 50, which jumped in world ranking classes last year.
Since moving to New Mains, Leo’s teaching career has really taken off with group and individual lessons most days.
One of his star pupils is Morgan Donald, who at 16 has just come off ponies. She bought the five-year-old Totally Tribal from LK Sporthorses and has started competing under Leo’s instruction.
Leo and Shannon ensure there is a good team atmosphere in the yard and many of the riders have adopted the LK Sporthorses branded gear.
Shannon said: “We have recently introduced a Monday morning fitness class for riders which is great fun and we try to help people in every aspect of riding and horse care.”
As well as running the yard at home and competing, the pair have been in demand to source suitable horses for clients and have regular trips abroad to Holland, Belgium and Ireland as well as the rest of the UK to find the right animals.