Wonder Women

          It's no secret that I'm a fan of, and have surrounded myself with, bad-ass women my whole adult life. There is no set look or demeanor for a "bad-ass woman," so toss any preconceived notions. To me, it means a woman who makes no apologies for her confidence, talents, successes, and unique personailty. 

          If you've been following along these past few months, you will have no doubt noticed that we have added a few new faces to the CALLIDAE team riders, including one famously described as a "bad-ass" by Wonder Woman Gal Gadot (Lilly Aspell). As we worked on that announcement, I commented to the internal team that we have a roster full of Wonder Women who are all "bad-ass" in their own ways. I'm proud to have every single one of them on the team.  

          If you have a few minutes, get to know their stories.

Lilly joined the CALLIDAE team riders this spring.  Our first actual "Wonder Woman," Lilly played the young Diana in Wonder Woman 1984 and is an up-and-coming Hollywood actress.  A dedicated equestrian across the junior ranks, with multiple international wins and Nations Cup Youth appearances for Team Great Britain, Lilly brings her passion for equestrianism to Team CALLIDAE.

Born and raised in Southern California, Kylee has lived in Northern California for most of her professional career.  After a very successful junior career, Kylee rode for the University of Georgia Equestrian Team, which has won more Overall National Championships than any other Division 1 team.  Kylee began her professional career at Sonoma Valley Stables, as assistant trainer under Hope Glynn and Ned Glynn.  She and Heather Rhodes are now head trainers at their own Kindred Hill Farm.  An outstanding rider and trainer, Kylee and her students rack up wins week after week in every ring. 

Born in France and based in the Netherlands, Emma competes for Czechia. After competing successfully in the junior ranks, Emma started competing in the senior level at the age of 16.  At 17, she competed in her first international World Cup qualifier in Leipzig, finishing with an impressive debut result of 9th.  Emma has an impressive record of international Grand Prix wins and has been on the Czech Nation's Cup team numerous times.  Emma joined Team CALLIDAE in 2021.

We were very excited in April to announce that Ailish Cunniffe had joined Team CALLIDAE. Ailish had a highly successful junior career, winning FEI North American Youth Championship team gold medals in both 2017 and 2018. She turned pro at the end of 2020, and, in 2022, Ailish made her senior team debut at the FEI Jumping Nations Cup Mexico CSI05* with Vivaldi du Theil and represented the United States again during the Longines FEI World Cup Finals in 2023 at Omaha, Nebraska.  She rides and trains out of Whipstitch Farm, based in South Salem, New York and Wellington, Florida.

Northern California native and two-time Olympic eventer Lauren Billys Shady joined the CALLIDAE team of riders in 2018.  She has dedicated her life and career to the equestrian sport and her horses.  At Castillo Farm, her home base in Carmel, California, Lauren rides 12-15 horses a day and oversees every aspect of their care.  In addition to her representation of Puerto Rico in both the 2016 and 2021 Olympic Games, Lauren won gold in 2023 at the Central American and Caribbean Games.  

Born and raised in Ridgefield, Connecticut, Molly has been riding since she was five years old.  She has competed at the highest levels of showjumping all over the world, and is currently resident in Europe where she competes and brings along young horses.  Molly joined the CALLIDAE team of riders in late 2019.

Los Angeles native Zazou Hoffman occupies the "senior spot" on the Team CALLIDAE roster, having joined in 2015.  Zazou won the prestigious Maclay Finals in 2009 and notched her first CSI 5* win in the 2017 AON Cup 1.50m at Spruce Meadows.  She trained at Meadow Grove with Francie Steinweidel and Dick Carvin and became a trainer there after her junior career.  Zazou spent the last several years in Europe competing and bringing along young horses, but returned to California earlier this year.

If you follow us on social, you have no doubt seen our newest muse and CALLIDAE ambassador gracing our feed. Originally from the East Coast (and now resident in Southern California), Ashley Vallandingham has been riding since she was five years old. While she initially competed in dressage, she switched to showjumping full time. After a several year hiatus, she has now returned to serious training and competition, hoping to turn professional debut and start doing Grand Prix level jumping.