S2 E31: Why OTTBs Win Her Heart: Shannon Riley on Retraining Thoroughbreds and Building Infinity Sport Horse

In this episode of OTTB on Tap, we sit down with Shannon Riley of Infinity Sport Horse for Part 1 of a powerful two-part conversation. Based in Aiken, South Carolina, Shannon is a professional eventer, OTTB trainer, and resale specialist known for her thoughtful, honest approach to developing sporthorse prospects.Shannon shares how her early love of horses—and her first Thoroughbred—set her on a path that would eventually lead to the founding of her training and sales business. From formative experiences with mentors and milestone competitions to the devastating personal loss that pushed her to rebuild her life in Aiken, Shannon reflects on the moments that shaped her as a rider and horsewoman.She also opens up about her early struggles with imposter syndrome—something both Niamh and Emily can relate to—and the advice she’d give to anyone battling self-doubt while building a career in horses.We explore Shannon’s deep connection to Off-Track Thoroughbreds: why she’s drawn to retraining OTTBs, what makes them such versatile athletes, and how she evaluates prospects for resale or upper-level competition. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at how she runs Infinity Sport Horse and what green flags she looks for when selecting a Thoroughbred for sport.Whether you’re a first-time OTTB owner, a resale-focused rider, or someone building a training program from the ground up, this episode offers inspiration, real talk, and actionable insight.👉 Stay tuned for Part 2, where Shannon opens up about rider fitness, body image, online criticism, and how she’s mentoring the next generation of equestrian professionals.Photo Credit: Liz Crawley Photography 2024