L3 Sporthorses is a family friendly boutique Dressage and Eventing barn started by
Shannon Allen, head instructor and trainer. Shannon has a background in dressage, eventing, hunters, jumpers as well as cutting.
She was mentored by Jenna McGowan Terry of Full Stride Equestrian where she worked under her as an assistant trainer learning proper dressage training methods by the classical training scale. While there she competed in recognized USDF/USEF/USEA events, rehabbed sports injuries, tackled problem horses, started horses under saddle, and instructed many riders. Shannon specializes in instructing in neurodivergent riders, and those with anxiety that want to be empowered in their education.
Shannon pushed for USPC curriculum to be added to the FSE lesson program. In April of 2022 Full Stride Equestrian opened up as a USPC licensed riding academy, the first in the Burleson, Tx area. Shannon and her colleague, Adelee Dyrssen, successfully ran the USPC lesson program until finally parting ways to pursue more career opportunities. Shannon has also successfully trained reliable lesson horse schoolmasters up through USDF third level.
She is currently finishing out scores to receive her USDF Bronze medal, and she intends to continue for her silver and gold after receiving her Bronze medal. Her new competition horse, SS Mozzarati is currrently in development, and Shannon hopes to finish out all of her medals scores on him. Her previous competition horse Lizzie /"She Gets To You" had to step away from showing to rehabilitate after being diagnosed with kissing spine in 2021. Lizzie has succesfully since rehabbed, and is now enjoying her part in the lesson program. During Lizzie's recovery, Shannon spent her time educating herself and attending learning seminars as well as worked alongside veterinarians to learn sporthorse rehabilitation. She then rehabbed multiple horses successfully through the program during her apprenticeship at FSE. In this time Shannon also discovered the school of Ecole de Legerete, and still spends much of her free time developing this particular style of classical dressage to share with others.
Shannon is currently attending university to receive her USDF "L" graduate while on her showing hiatus. She finds their program to be valuable and encourages all students to seek their learning opportunities. She has aspirations to become a licensed judge to help support local schooling show opportunities, and eventually a licensed course designer for Area V. Shannon is also currently learning how to trim horses through David Landreville's educational materials, and hands-on lessons from local farriers to better understand hoof health.
She has decided to open up her own small program to allow her to spend more time with her 3 boys Stratton, Stetson, and Tulson. When she's not juggling motherhood, she enjoys teaching. and sharing her horses with others. Her mission with L3 Sporthorses is to continue sharing the education she has aquired with her community, build a better equine foundation locally, and make horses more accessible to upcoming riders of all backgrounds.