Horse Rider Jan Byyny on Following a Passion and Making it your Profession, Recovering from a Life-Altering Accident, and Why Mentoring is Meaningful

EquestrianAthlete

Nov 8

Written By Sylvia Winter

After discovering her passion at an early age, Jan was determined to put her heart, mind, and soul into riding. She knew that riding was her calling and had no doubts that she would become one of the best in the sport.

Everything came into question, however, after a riding accident and subsequent stroke that left Jan unable to speak. Jan was quick to reject the doctors who told her she would never ride again, and she hasn't stopped persevering since.

In this conversation, Sylvia and Jan discuss what it takes to continue to pursue your dreams, even after setbacks. They discuss how to be strong-minded, using different perspectives to discover our blind spots, the importance of having people in our corner, and much more.
**Photo Credit**: Mike McNally

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About Jan

Jan Byyny is a top-ranked international rider. Her career highlights include representing the U.S. at the Pan American Championships, where she won team gold and individual bronze. Jan also has numerous top ten placings at Rolex Kentucky, Foxhall, Jersey Fresh, Bromont and Morven Park CCIs, and won the 2013 USEF National 3-star Championship at Fair Hill. In addition, she has competed at Burghley, Badminton and Blenheim in England and Pau in France.

Jan owns and manages Surefire Farm, a lesson, sales, and training business in Purcellville, Virginia. Her focus is selecting, training, and competing event horses. Jan is also active in the United States Eventing Association as an advisor to the Young Riders and Juniors Committee, is a Level IV ICP instructor, serves on the United States Equestrian Federation’s Eventing Sport Committee as an Elected Athlete and in 2017 was named a USEF Eventing Selector.