Chronicle of the Horse - January 4, 2020
How To Come Back Stronger
If you had told me I would spend the majority of 2020 sidelined and unable to ride, I would have said, “I want no part of that.” Last year was the most challenging year of my life, but it also was a transformative year, as I learned what it takes to stay strong through adversity and to put my physical and mental health above all. In September, I fell from a horse and broke my hip, which required surgery. This injury has hit me harder than others because it involved so many of the muscles I use to ride. I’ve had to recognize that if I don’t take enough time to heal properly, it could impact my ability to sustain a long career as a professional rider. It’s a tough realization, but here are a few things I’ve learned about injury and how to come back as a strong and healthy rider.
Jumper Nation - November 6, 2020
When the Trainer Becomes the Student: How Caitlyn Shiels is Learning to Become a Clinician for All Levels
Caitlyn Shiels is not going to let her recent hip injury keep her from teaching and empowering other riders while she’s out of the saddle. Caitlyn is headed to Courtney Fromm’s Old Seoul Equestrian in West Bend, Wisconsin, in late November to teach a three-day clinic to riders and horses of all levels, something she believes sets her apart as a clinician in the hunter/jumper world.
Chronicle of the Horse - November 5, 2020
Taking The Reins in times of need
There are many times in life when we are thrown into situations before we think we’re ready. I believe that’s ultimately when we learn how prepared and capable we actually are because we aren’t all brave enough to take the leap before we have to.
Chronicle of the Horse - October 14, 2020
Investing In The Future Shouldn't Be An Afterthought
I started working as an assistant for Caitlyn Shiels at True North Stables about a year ago, and I knew it would be a career move that would set me on the right path toward achieving my goals, not just in the near future, but also for where I see myself way down the road.
Horse Network - September 17, 2020
WHEN TO SWIPE RIGHT: FINDING THE RIGHT MATCH FOR YOUR TRAINING BUSINESS
How do you know someone will be the right fit, as an employee or as an employer? What if this move sets you back in your goals rather than launches you forward? True North Stables head trainer Caitlyn Shiels and assistant trainer Cody Wooten share how they found each other and how you can more confidently approach this process if you find yourself on either side.
In The News - USHJA In Stride Magazine - September 2020
COVID-19’s Life Lessons
“ The doctor told me that if the fracture was a millimeter over, I could have been paralyzed,” said Caitlyn Shiels, sharing the sobering report the doctor gave her a er breaking her back. When she hit the ground during Week 5 of WEF, her muscles tensed so hard they fractured the wing o of L4. Being sidelined for six weeks was an enormous blow to Shiels, who runs her own small business, True North Stables. But things got tougher. She watched WCHR Week 6 from the sidelines, and as a result of her fall, she also faced unexpected shi s in her clientele. And then the spread of COVID-19 became a reality, and WEF canceled.
In the News - July 30, 2020
A GLEF Report from True North Stables
The team from True North Stables, led by head trainer Caitlyn Shiels, had a successful two weeks competing at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival in Traverse City, MI, on July 15-26. Earning the Young Hunter 3’3″ championship during WCHR week, One Dance, a six-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, and Caitlyn won two jumping classes as well as placed second over fences and third under saddle. One Dance also had a top-eight finish in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby during week three.
In the News - July 3, 2020
Jumper Nation Clinic: Warm Up with Caitlyn Shiels & True North Stables
Now that horse shows have begun running again, Jumper Nation Clinic continues — this time with exercises and tips to try in the warm up ring at shows. Jumper Nation has teamed up with top, respected riders who we love for both their horsemanship and their creativity with exercises they use at home and at shows. Each week, we’ll be bringing you new tips and exercises to try in the warm up. You’ll be primed and ready to have a great round!
In the News - June 13, 2020
True North Stables Returns Home to Begin Summer Show Season
When shelter-in-place orders were announced surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, the True North Stables team made the decision to extend its time in Wellington, FL, for the health and safety of its riders and horses. Now, as restrictions are beginning to ease, the True North team, led by trainer Caitlyn Shiels, has returned home to Illinois, and Shiels is eager to get back in the show ring.
In the News - April 8, 2020
#worldhealthday: How True North Stables is Staying Safe from COVID-19
After finishing a successful 10 weeks at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), True North Stables has remained at its base in Wellington, Florida for safety purposes, where owner Caitlyn Shiels and assistant trainer Cody Wooten continue to keep the horses fit. True North’s second base is in Illinois.
Newsletter - April 1, 2020
Acclimating as Equestrians: True North Talks Keeping Horses Going Amid COVID-19, WEF Championships, and More
On the last day of the 2020 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), Jennifer Betts clinched a final championship of the season for True North Stables after topping the $1,500 Low Adult Amateur 18-35 Jumpers aboard her own Europa.
In the News - April 1, 2020
True North Stables Team Shares Quarantine Tips on Horse and Human Safety During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Just like many others, True North Stables’ show season ended sooner than expected when shows were cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. While the team at this hunter/jumper training facility ended on a high note, now the True North Stables team has shifted its focus to horse and human safety due to requirements by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revolving around quarantine and the public health risks with COVID-19.
In the News - March 30, 2020
Jumper Nation Clinic: Caitlyn Shiels & True North Stables
Spring is here! Spring brings us many new things, including new beginnings, spring cleaning, and yes, uncertainties. With horse shows across the globe being canceled or postponed due to COVID-19, there is a silver lining. We can use this opportunity to freshen up our education at home, keep our horses (and ourselves) fit, and practice the skills needed for the show ring when we’re able to show again.
In the News Blog - The Chronicle of the Horse - August 6, 2019
Creating Right Program Starts With Knowing Your Horse
We’re only a week away from the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship and the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, two of the biggest events of the year for hunters.
In the News - Great Lakes Equestrian Festival - July 19, 2019
Caitlyn Shiels Tops Performance Hunters at Great Lakes
Professional hunter competition returned to the 2019 Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), presented by CaptiveOne Advisors, LLC, for the first half of Week III, where a series of new champions were crowned. In the High Performance Hunters, Caitlyn Shiels of True North Stables, based out of Illinois and Florida, piloted Cassius to the top of the scorecard.
In the News - Equine Journal - May 1, 2019
Collecting thoughts: Caitlyn shiels
Growing up in Sheffield, MA,, Caitlyn Shiels fell in love with riding at the age of eight and quickly dedicated herself to equestrian sport. As a junior rider, Caitlyn began commuting to New York to train with Andre Dignelli as a working student at Heritage Farm. Under his tutelage, she finished in the top 10 of each of the major American equitation finals and claimed both the team and individual gold medals at the 2004 North American Young Rider Championships.
In the News Blog - The Chronicle of the Horse - March 19, 2019
Attitude And Honesty Can Open A Lot Of Doors
Having the opportunity to blog for The Chronicle of the Horse is rewarding for a number of reasons, but one of them is the way that it encourages me to reflect on the highs and lows of running my own hunter/jumper training program, True North Stables. I get to reflect on what I have accomplished and what lessons I’ve learned. It also gives me the opportunity to share that insight with others so that hopefully someone else will find it beneficial.
In the News - Sidelines Magazine - March 1, 2019
Ingate: show news
Illinois- and Florida- based True North Stables kicked off the winter season in winning style at the World Equestrian Center Winter Classic #3 at the World Equestrian Center in Chagrin, Ohio. Led by trainer Caitlyn Shiels, junior and amateur riders Erica Halstead, Katie Hawkins, and Marisa Malevitis (pictured) all claimed top-two finishes in the low children’s jumpers, low adult amateur jumpers, and adult amateur jumpers, respectively.
In the News - The Plaid Horse - January 1, 2019
DETERMINATION, DISCIPLINE, AND TEAMWORK MAKE THE DREAM WORK FOR CAITLYN SHIELS AND
Ask anyone what they think it takes to make it in the equestrian industry, and, while you may get a myriad of answers, there is likely to be a resoundingly common one: money. In today’s hunter/jumper sport there is the perception that it is only with vast financial means that one can achieve success.
In the News Blog - The Chronicle of the Horse - January 1, 2019
Oh, The Places I’ve Gone And The Lessons I’ve Learned
“You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So… get on your way!”
One year ago, I shared that excerpt from Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” on Facebook because I, full of exhilaration and a healthy dose of nerves, was about to set off to a new “great place” and to take on a new mountain: the launch of my own, Illinois-based riding and training business, True North Stables.
Now, looking back over the past year, oh, the places we’ve gone! There’s been travel to favorite shows in Florida, Michigan, Iowa and Kentucky, but also to emotional “places”—like the high mountain top that is seeing clients succeed and reach their goals and the low valley that is dealing with uncertainty of business success and finding the right clients, of health concerns, of wondering if you have what it takes.
Looking back over the past year and my first year in business, it’s gratifying to reflect on the places that True North Stables has gone and the lessons that I have learned along the way.
In the News - Modern Luxury - December 20, 2018
The Best of Chicago Lifestyle for 2019
Best Place to Board a Champion
Caitlyn Shiels provides boarding and training at her new True North Stables. The barn excels at taking both horse and rider to the next level. 41900 N. Delany Road, Zion
Press Release - August 9, 2018
True North is 'Great' in Traverse City
In January 2018, Caitlyn Shiels launched her own True North Stables with the goal of growing a barn of riders dedicated to learning proper horsemanship and to pursuing success in the show ring at any level.
Now, only eight months later, Shiels is seeing that goal come to fruition – as was evident at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF).
Press Release - June 22, 2018
True North Stables Takes Top Ribbons at Country Heir Horse Shows
In 2013, Caitlyn Shiels purchased a six-year-old grand prix prospect named Cavalier II, and now, after five years of Shiels’ tireless training and tutelage, Cavalier II is no longer a grand prix prospect but has developed into a grand prix-winning mount.
Fresh off a win in the $25,000 Maffitt Lake Grand Prix in Cumming, IA, in May, Shiels and the 11-year-old warmblood gelding traveled to the Country Heir Horse Shows, held June 6-10 and June 13-17 in Lexington, KY. There they topped the $1,400 1.40m Jumpers on Thursday, June 14, and they returned to the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park the following day to take fourth in the $25,000 Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital Grand Prix with a double clear effort.
Press Release - May 24, 2018
Caitlyn Shiels Earns Grand Prix and Hunter Derby Wins at Maffitt Lake for True North Team
True North Stables’ Caitlyn Shiels rode Cavalier II to the win in the $25,000 Maffitt Lake Grand Prix on Saturday, May 12, a mere 24 hours after winning the $2,500 United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) National Hunter Derby riding Cassius.
Shiels’ back-to-back victories in both the jumper and hunter rings marked just two of the many highlights from True North Stables’ successful two weeks at the Maffitt Lake Spring Gathering I & II, held May 9-13 and May 16-20 in Cumming, Iowa.
Press Release - March 22, 2018
Join the Team! True North Heads to New Illinois Location and Looks to Accept Limited Number of New Clients
Accomplished professional rider and trainer Caitlyn Shiels launched her own True North Stables in January 2018, and now, following a successful winter circuit in Wellington and Ocala, FL, True North Stables will head north to a new location at Buena Vista Farm in Zion, IL, and will begin accepting new clients.
“I am looking forward to returning to Illinois and getting settled, and I am really excited to be accepting clients of all levels and with a wide range of goals within the hunters, jumpers and equitation,” said Shiels. “Having competed both as a junior and a professional in each, I can’t wait to begin helping people set and reach their riding and competitive goals”
Press Release - February 5, 2018
True North Stables Celebrates Successful First Month With Wins at Winter Equestrian Festival
In its inaugural month of operation, True North Stables brought home top honors from the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, Florida, including victories for both lead rider and trainer Caitlyn Shiels and amateur competitor Michelle Durpetti. Shiels rode her own Cavalier II to the win in the $2,500 1.35m Jumpers during WEF 1, while Durpetti and Cassius claimed a win and the reserve championship in the Osphos® Amateur-Owner 36 & Over Hunters 3’3” during WEF 2.
“The entire Winter Equestrian Festival season is so competitive, so to be able to start out by launching this new venture there and to have it go so well is fantastic,” said Shiels, whose business is now based out of both Florida and Illinois.
In the News - The Plaid Horse - January 12, 2018
Caitlyn Shiels Launches Own True North Stables
Following decades of industry experience, professional rider and trainer Caitlyn Shiels has launched her own True North Stables, dedicated to providing top-of-the-line hunter/jumper riding and training services with the goal-oriented equestrian in mind with locations in Illinois and Florida.
“It’s an exciting, natural next chapter,” said Shiels, who spent the last four years working as an assistant trainer for Greg Franklin of Canterbury Farm in Hampshire, IL. “I’ve always wanted and worked toward being on my own, operating my own business, and growing as an individual. The timing now is fantastic. We – myself, the horses, and clients – had a really solid year in 2017, which was a great stepping stone for me in my career, and I feel very ready for this next venture.”
In the News - WPTV - January 10, 2018
Winter Equestrian Festival begins
It's the start of the busy season for equestrian riders in Wellington. Wednesday marked the start of the Winter Equestrian Festival and Adequan Global Dressage Festival.
The festival is held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. It is the largest and longest running horse show circuit in the world. On any given day 1,500 to 2,000 horses compete on the grounds.
Caitlyn Shiels, a professional rider from Chicago says she looks forward to the event.