A Conversation with Caitlyn and Cody

Head Trainer Caitlyn Shiels took the True North team to Ledges Showplace in late September for one last show to end 2020 with a bang. The bang, for her, unfortunately ended up being a bad fall and a broken hip after her horse spooked in the schooling ring. She ended up in the hospital needing surgery and being sidelined for several months. We spoke with Caitlyn and True North Assistant Trainer Cody Wooten on how things at the show went that day, and how Cody stepped up to take charge in a time of need.

Q: In the moment at the show, what were your biggest concerns?

Caitlyn: I was worried about so many things when I left in the ambulance that day. Of course, I worried about what lie ahead for me. Did I have to have surgery? How were my clients going to do without me there? What did this mean for my business and my career? I am the face of True North, and I didn’t know how my clients would feel about showing for the first time without me. I worried about how Cody would handle all of this, but I also knew deep inside that I left a strong and capable True North team member, who is just as much a face of this business, back at the show that would steer the team to success.

Cody: My first concern was what had happened to Caitlyn. I wanted to make sure she was okay, but once the medics took over with her my concerns shifted to making sure everyone on the team was staying informed and keeping calm. I’m quite a planner, so I immediately started thinking about how this was going to impact our plan for the show. Were we still going to show? Were we going to head home early? I knew the horses had been properly prepared to that point so the idea of getting everyone into the show ring wasn’t a huge concern for me, aside from wondering how the clients would feel about not having Caitlyn there.

Caitlyn Shiels and Carlisle took home champion honors before Caitlyn got hurt.

Q: What made you each feel confident in the situation?

Caitlyn: My confidence in Cody’s abilities was the reason why I initially hired him. We have so many of the same teaching skills, the same views, and the same riding styles. I knew Cody running the show would not be that different from me handling things. Although, given what happened to me, he had to manage client anxieties in the show ring at a time when they might have been at an all-time high. I was worried, but I had faith in him; he’s very knowledgeable, he has a very good head on his shoulders, and he’s responsible. I knew he would do everything in his power to produce the best results he could at that time. And he did. He went above and beyond and everyone rose to the occasion.

Cody: I’ve been doing this for a number of years, and I still have a lot to learn, but I have a solid enough foundation that I feel confident in making sure everything is going to go the way it needs to. I know her program and I know the way she teaches. I didn’t want to change it up too much, knowing the clients were used to that and needed that comfort. Caitlyn and I work so well together and we have similar training styles, so when we have to divide and conquer, we have a sound base in terms of how we do things. That helps make sure that the program is fluid and makes sense from all angles, even in a stressful situation such as that day. 

Irvin, Cody, and Josue all stepped up to manage the responsibilities at the show while Caitlyn was in the hospital.

Q: How do you think this experience has equipped you for handling more responsibility in the future?

Caitlyn: I think as young professionals, we all get thrown into situations we don’t think we’re ready for, but we don’t realize how equipped we are until we have no other choice but to step in and get things done. Of course, I wish this injury hadn’t happened to me, but I do see it as a hidden blessing for Cody’s future. To be successful, we all have to step outside of our comfort zones, and more often than not, that step comes during a time of urgency, rather than when we decide we’re ready to take the leap. 

Cody: It was definitely a confidence boost knowing everything I’ve learned and accomplished up to this point has paved the way for me to be successful. It was a smooth day of showing and our two grooms, Irvin Sanchez and Josue Alvarez, really stepped up and helped as well. This experience reaffirmed for me that no matter how unprepared I may feel to step up and take over, the work I’ve done in the past has set me up to take on challenges like this. I’ve always had someone else there to bounce ideas off of and to double check my thought processes, but when I had to take the lead, it left me thinking back on my past experience and the skills I’ve accumulated to get me through. It’s nerve-wracking, but knowing that it’s worked out so many times before is what keeps me confident that no matter what challenge comes my way I can step up and manage it.