RideLife Creator and Equestrian Coach Shannon Pigott Receives Mental Management Certification
Western performance coach Shannon Pigott sought a more engaging, specialized method to create a higher level of success for the riders and horses she coaches, so she sought Olympic medalist and acclaimed coach Lanny Bassham’s Mental Management Systems certification. In May, she became one of only 20 national certified instructors and accredited coaches. She is the only coach in the Western horse sports realm.
Bassham, well known not only for his skills in riflery but for his foundational book on mental management training systems that focuses on the ability to control your mind under pressure for sports, performance, business environments and overall personal growth. From mastering self-image to goal getting, Bassham’s system relates to how riders work to achieve their goals.
“As a coach who guides more than 600 riding lessons a year, I’ve found that the more ways I have to interact and effect change in a rider, the more they can ultimately achieve themselves,” Pigott said. “My goal as a coach is to help that rider be the best they can be no matter how high the bar or goal they set for themselves.
Pigott, based in Fredericksburg, Texas, strove to better her own riding abilities as a later-to-life horsewoman. Her path to knowledge began with Clinton Anderson’s The Method, and she became a certified Method Ambassador, focusing on stock horse competition. Her show ring mentors include two National Cutting Horse Association top-achieving women, Kathy Daughn and Barbra Schulte.
As a non-pro competitor, Pigott found herself offering advice to others for free, but realized that coaching was her passion. She first began My Cow Horse Coach, a virtual tool for riders and where they can send in questions or videos of problems to and receive help training and showing in American Quarter Horse Association versatility ranch horse events, Stock Horse of Texas events and general horsemanship from a family of trainers. Then, in 2022, She founded a prestigious competition team called ShowTeamer to advance riders over a season of showing, and in 2023, she launched RideLife, a digital community fostering learning, sharing and positive experiences for like-minded equestrians.
Along the way, Pigott also attained a graduate certificate in executive and professional coaching from the University of Texas at Dallas School of Management. She also mentors small business owners, utilizing her decades long experience as a veterinary practice manager, veterinary hospital owner and runs her own business to help them to set goals and grow their companies.
“I love to help people reach their riding and showing goals,” said Pigott. “Whether that rider comes in person to my ranch or connects with us from afar through RideLife’s app, the learning and connection is there. I aim to provide the learning resources, support at shows, showing statistics and coaching necessary for anyone achieve their dream. It’s never too late to become the rider and horseman, or horsewoman, you’ve always wanted to become.”
Riders that flock to Pigott’s style of hands-on learning with an accredited coach, even when done virtually through RideLife, are predominantly do-it-yourself competitors that keep their horse at home. With this additional Mental Management Systems certification, Pigott has another tool in her box to wield for clients looking to make breakthroughs in their riding, their lives or even their business.
For more information on Pigott’s innovative approach to learning at a rider’s pace, incorporating fun into a supportive show experience, or to contact her for a podcast or other engagement, including booking clinics, visit coachshannonpigott.com. To subscribe to RideLife and join the community, visit goridelife.app. Pigott is available as a source for articles, to conduct in person and online courses, or to teach riding clinics by contacting her at shannon@shannonpigott.com.
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