Shelly Francis is one of the few elite high-performance trainers in the U.S. with a long career as a successful international competitor aboard horses she has trained herself. Her long list of accolades includes representing the U.S. as an alternate at two Olympic Games, as well as making the U.S. teams for two World Equestrian Games, two World Cups, and many Nation Cups. Some of her most notable victories include her 4* Grand Prix Freestyle wins at Aachen in 2018 and at Hagen Horses and Dreams in 2019.
Shelly’s talent extends beyond just training as her ability to teach riders is second to none. Shelly’s students range from green to international Grand Prix competitors. Shelly’s training focuses on teaching riders to be fair, clear, and effective to create a harmonious relationship with their horse.
Photos by Allyssia Timberlake Photography
Some of Shelly’s Career Highlights
1990 USET Festival of Champions – Small Tour Reserve Champion – Pikant
1991 USET Festival of Champions – Pikant
1996 USA Olympic Team Second Alternate – Atlanta, GA Olympics - Pikant
1997 USDF Grand Prix Champion Horse of the Year - Pikant
1998 World Equestrian Games - Rome, Italy -Pikant
2009 Grand Prix Special CDI3*– Wellington, Florida – 1st Place – Dominion
2009 Grand Prix CDI3* – Wellington, Florida - 1st place - Dominion
2009 Grand Prix Special CDI3* - 2nd Place – Dominion
2014 AllTech™ FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France – Doktor
2015 Adequan™ Global Dressage Festival CDI – Doktor
2016 USA Olympic Team Alternate – Rio Olympics – Doktor
2018 Grand Prix Freestyle CDI4* – Aachen, Germany - 1st Place – Danilo
2018 FEI World Cup™ Paris France – Danilo
2019 Grand Prix Freestyle CDI4* – Hagen, Germany – 1st place – Danilo
2019 Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3* – USA – 1st place 81.84% – Danilo
2019 Grand Prix Freestyle CDIW – USA – 3rd place 80.05% – Danilo
2019 Grand Prix Freestyle CDI5* Nations Cup– Copiegne, France – 3rd place 79.61% – Danilo
2021 Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3* – WEC USA – 1st place 75.065%- Danilo
Charlotte is Shelly's assistant rider, head groom, and barn manager. Charlotte has been with Shelly since November 2022. She is a USDF Silver and Bronze Medalist on horses she brought along to those levels herself and intends to finish her USDF Gold this year. She owns a 2006 Oldenburg mare named AnnaLena (L'Andiamo x Goldfuerst) and has trained and competed her through Small Tour with success. Charlotte is currently competing her in the medium tour and will be preparing to compete at the U25 Grand Prix levels this upcoming season.
Allyssia Timberlake Photography
Andrew Ryback Photography