No horsing around: Driven by passion for growth

At 45, Shirley Khaw's heartfelt journey with horses started unexpectedly over 20 years ago during a life-changing job interview. That moment sparked her passion for equestrian life. Her motto of being kind, brave, and open has shaped a fulfilling career she truly loves.Riding into new territory

Shirley grew up in a household where sports were a way of life, bonding her family through weekly games and friendly competition. This deep-seated passion led her to pursue a Sports Psychology degree at the National University of Singapore, where she dreamed of making an impact in the sports industry.

Upon graduation, she began her search for her first job in sports to gain experience and build up her portfolio. Interestingly, the job listing that caught her eye was for a sport she had not only never played, but also didn’t know existed in Singapore.

“I saw an ad by the National Sport Association and just applied. To be honest, I had to Google to find out what equestrian was about! It was quite an experience having my first job interview with the horses snorting in the stables at the back,” Shirley recalls with a chuckle.

Shirley taking horses Titan and Barbie out for a walk

In 2003, Shirley started her role as an executive at the Equestrian Federation of Singapore (EFS), where she helped organise competitions and plan training activities. Encouraged by her colleagues, she took the opportunity also to learn horse riding for leisure. Spending more time with the horses not only improved her understanding of the sport but also sparked a deep affection for these gentle giants that would shape the trajectory of her career.

Be open: Jumping over to show judging

Planning competitions often required Shirley to work closely with the athletes, judges, volunteers, and horses on-site. From organising 10 to 15 events a year, Shirley quickly became well-acquainted with the technical rules of equestrian. However, the idea of becoming an official judge had never crossed her mind.

Shirley conducting a course inspection at the FEI World Jumping Challenge

During one competition, while she was seated behind the judging table, a judge asked her if she would like to try holding the bell and judging a show. Although she felt apprehensive at first, with the encouragement of her mentors and fellow judges, Shirley decided to give it a try. Thankfully, back then, equestrians had a lower barrier to entry for becoming a judge.

"You’d be surprised to learn that most judges weren’t athletes! They could have worked in administration like me, be parents of children who ride horses, or simply be people who enjoy horse riding,” Shirley shared.

Shirley and her colleague at the Doha 2006 Asian Games, her first appointment as an ITO

After completing a simple training programme, Shirley started judging the jumping events at local shows and quickly established herself in the equestrian officiating scene. She made her major games debut at the 2006 Doha Asian Games at the young age of 27.

Be brave: Expanding horizons by taking leaps 

Driven by the ambition to enhance her professional skills, Shirley challenged herself to go beyond her administrative role at EFS. This decision later opened new opportunities that significantly advanced her career as an international technical official (ITO).

Following a brief stint with Singapore Turf Club, Shirley returned to EFS to take on a new role, one she had always been passionate about: high-performance manager. In this role, Shirley was tasked with improving the capabilities of Singapore's equestrian athletes, an exciting responsibility given the growing popularity of the sport in Singapore.

Shirley and team at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics

This role marked the beginning of many milestones for Shirley as she became more involved in international competitions. Not only was Shirley appointed as ITO at more major games, including a few SEA Games and the 2008 Olympics, but she was also instrumental in getting Singapore’s equestrian athletes on the global stage, including Singapore’s first equestrian paralympian, Laurentia Tan.

Shirley and team at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games

Balancing her full-time work with EFS and travelling to judge shows can be challenging. Shirley credits her unbroken streak of attending every Asian Games since her very first to the unwavering support of her boss and colleagues, who fully backed her career as an ITO. Additionally, working with fellow judges and stewards who shared a passion for horses made the work not only more manageable but also more enjoyable.

Shirley and her team of technical officials at the Trot Around International Horse Show in 2024

Be kind: Leading with care and patience 

Shirley conducting a stewards course for jumping in Pattaya, Thailand in 2022

Shirley has achieved notable accomplishments in her equestrian career, working with prominent figures and gaining valuable mentorship. In 2022, she was even invited by the Thailand Equestrian Federation to conduct her first Jumping Stewarding Course for their National Technical Officials. 

Yet, when Shirley reflects on her unwavering dedication to the sport for over 20 years, she concludes it is the horses that keep her going.

“Equestrian is unique because it is the only sport that involves animals. As equestrian legend William Steinkraus puts it, it is a great privilege to connect one's body with another being that is "stronger, faster, and more agile" than we are while also being "brave, generous, and uncommonly forgiving”," Shirley shared.

Shirley at a technical briefing for judges at the FEI World Jumping Challenge in 2023

Shirley attributes her newfound patience to the big-hearted horses she cares for. Through spending time with them, she has learnt to be gentler with people during competitions. Rather than reprimanding riders, coaches, and grooms for rule violations, she now focuses on communication, helping them understand the importance of following rules to protect both the horses and themselves.

“In the past, whenever I had a really bad conversation with somebody or things weren’t going well in the office, I’d just step out to the stables, and I’d be very happy. Yes, it's very dusty, it's hot, but it's also a very calming place where you can really find peace,” Shirley shared.

Galloping onwards for equestrian

Moving forward, Shirley is hopeful that equestrian will be consistently included in the lineup for major games, as the selection of sports can vary each year. This inclusion would give more Singaporeans the opportunity to compete on the world stage.

Shirley volunteering with the Pony Club of Singapore at the Gymkhana Event

Passionate about promoting the growth of equestrian sports, Shirley aims to inspire young people to develop an early interest and love for horses through additional programmes. She believes that every child should have the opportunity to interact with a horse at least once in their lives to help nurture more young riders.

“As my idol Rafael Nadal puts it: “The secret of success is the passion and the love for what you are doing.” I would say 99% of people I have met in this sport genuinely love horses.”

Shirley and a colleague posing with mentor and equestrian Olympian, Paul Weier

To those interested in a career in equestrian, Shirley passes on words of wisdom she lives by from her mentor and former equestrian Olympian, Paul Weier – be kind, brave, and open. 

“I firmly believe that opportunities will come to you naturally when you are ready and willing to give it your 100%. It’s part of a growing journey as a technical official. There are many ways you can give back in small or big ways to the sports you love,” Shirley shared.