Siobhan Schous is one of those rare people that you cannot help but immediately like, and her enthusiasm and gratitude for life is uplifting. From her base in Co Clare, Siobhan is pursuing her grand passion for eventing. She is also an avid sea swimmer, and by all accounts has a real talent for baking. With her close knit family around her, and with the support of her partner Mark, Siobhan is making the most of every day.
Life is not without its complications for any of us, but Siobhan has faced far greater challenges than most from a very young age. Born without a bile duct, she had her first of many surgeries at just nine weeks old. Just before her first birtdhay, Siobhan had a liver transplant performed in London.
Although this surgery saved her life, there was a price to pay which came in the form of a significant hearing impediment affecting both ears – an unfortunate and irreversible side effect of the medication used to support Siobhan’s health. Her high pitch hearing is absent, meaning she cannot hear things such as alarms, bells or whistles. Her low pitch hearing is functional, and Siobhan learned to lip read at a young age as a part of managing her every day life.
Herbie, Siobhan's 'once in a lifetime’ horse \ Sabina Sitek
Difficult and tiring
“Being hearing impaired is difficult and tiring at times, but I have grown up with it and it doesn’t define me at all. I prefer facing the person that I am talking to so that I can lip read, and I warn those around me that I am hearing impaired in certain environments such as the warm up arena at a show. I can’t hear horses cantering up behind me. I have to ask dressage judges to wave at me instead of ringing the bell. I have to concentrate very hard all of the time and this can be incredibly draining, but I don’t let my health hold me back.
Sustain
“I am sure my doctors would far prefer me to pick up a tennis racket instead, but I want to live my life. I am so grateful for the team I have around me who make this all possible; my mother and father help and support me so much, every day. My brother and sister are incredible, and they have done everything they can to be there for me and encourage me all throughout my life. I wouldn’t be here without them,” she says.
Siobhan spent much of her childhood in Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin, but horses still always featured heavily. They have helped to sustain and motivate her through difficult times, and they remain a daily source of joy and happiness: “I have the fondest childhood memories. We are a horsey family, and we all rode. I loved being a member of the Irish Pony Club, and I took part in all the usual activities.”
When Siobhan was 12 years old she met a little coloured horse called Herbie, who would go on to change her life: “Herbie was six when he arrived. He had only ever hunted, and had never seen a coloured pole. We have been on an amazing journey together, and he truly is a once in a lifetime horse. He is only small and not a flashy type, but he has taught me so much about myself, about horses, and about how to get the best out of the horse that you have.”
When not competing or studying, Siobhan hosts a very popular podcast called ‘The Inside Rein’ \ Sabina Sitek
International
Siobhan and Herbie have achieved much, including representing Irish dressage at Hickstead and at the BYRDS Home International in Scotland, in 2017. The pinnacle of their partnership came at the Sema Lease Kilguilkey House International event in 2021: “I had always dreamed of competing at international horse trials, and to finally get the chance after everything we have all been through – and with Herbie – was just…Words can’t describe it still. The feeling of crossing the finish line will stay with me forever.”
Siobhan is a graduate of the Equine Science course at the University of Limerick, and she is preparing to return and complete her Masters degree in Sports Psychology this year.
Other notable achievements include winning the Coolmore Silver Medal for her final year university project, and being selected for the Women in Leadership programme with Clare Sports Partnership.
Siobhan also hosts a popular podcast called The Inside Rein, which she uses to highlight and showcase the strengths, talents and achievements of people within the equestrian industry: “I realised during COVID-19 that we don’t have an exclusively Irish equestrian podcast. It is a challenge being hearing impaired, but I decided to give it a go. With a lot of help from Mark, who luckily works in IT, we did it. I enjoy it so much, and I am so grateful to all of my guests.”
Siobhan Schous is one of those rare people that you cannot help but immediately like, and her enthusiasm and gratitude for life is uplifting. From her base in Co Clare, Siobhan is pursuing her grand passion for eventing. She is also an avid sea swimmer, and by all accounts has a real talent for baking. With her close knit family around her, and with the support of her partner Mark, Siobhan is making the most of every day.
Life is not without its complications for any of us, but Siobhan has faced far greater challenges than most from a very young age. Born without a bile duct, she had her first of many surgeries at just nine weeks old. Just before her first birtdhay, Siobhan had a liver transplant performed in London.
Although this surgery saved her life, there was a price to pay which came in the form of a significant hearing impediment affecting both ears – an unfortunate and irreversible side effect of the medication used to support Siobhan’s health. Her high pitch hearing is absent, meaning she cannot hear things such as alarms, bells or whistles. Her low pitch hearing is functional, and Siobhan learned to lip read at a young age as a part of managing her every day life.
Herbie, Siobhan's 'once in a lifetime’ horse \ Sabina Sitek
Difficult and tiring
“Being hearing impaired is difficult and tiring at times, but I have grown up with it and it doesn’t define me at all. I prefer facing the person that I am talking to so that I can lip read, and I warn those around me that I am hearing impaired in certain environments such as the warm up arena at a show. I can’t hear horses cantering up behind me. I have to ask dressage judges to wave at me instead of ringing the bell. I have to concentrate very hard all of the time and this can be incredibly draining, but I don’t let my health hold me back.
Sustain
“I am sure my doctors would far prefer me to pick up a tennis racket instead, but I want to live my life. I am so grateful for the team I have around me who make this all possible; my mother and father help and support me so much, every day. My brother and sister are incredible, and they have done everything they can to be there for me and encourage me all throughout my life. I wouldn’t be here without them,” she says.
Siobhan spent much of her childhood in Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin, but horses still always featured heavily. They have helped to sustain and motivate her through difficult times, and they remain a daily source of joy and happiness: “I have the fondest childhood memories. We are a horsey family, and we all rode. I loved being a member of the Irish Pony Club, and I took part in all the usual activities.”
When Siobhan was 12 years old she met a little coloured horse called Herbie, who would go on to change her life: “Herbie was six when he arrived. He had only ever hunted, and had never seen a coloured pole. We have been on an amazing journey together, and he truly is a once in a lifetime horse. He is only small and not a flashy type, but he has taught me so much about myself, about horses, and about how to get the best out of the horse that you have.”
When not competing or studying, Siobhan hosts a very popular podcast called ‘The Inside Rein’ \ Sabina Sitek
International
Siobhan and Herbie have achieved much, including representing Irish dressage at Hickstead and at the BYRDS Home International in Scotland, in 2017. The pinnacle of their partnership came at the Sema Lease Kilguilkey House International event in 2021: “I had always dreamed of competing at international horse trials, and to finally get the chance after everything we have all been through – and with Herbie – was just…Words can’t describe it still. The feeling of crossing the finish line will stay with me forever.”
Siobhan is a graduate of the Equine Science course at the University of Limerick, and she is preparing to return and complete her Masters degree in Sports Psychology this year.
Other notable achievements include winning the Coolmore Silver Medal for her final year university project, and being selected for the Women in Leadership programme with Clare Sports Partnership.
Siobhan also hosts a popular podcast called The Inside Rein, which she uses to highlight and showcase the strengths, talents and achievements of people within the equestrian industry: “I realised during COVID-19 that we don’t have an exclusively Irish equestrian podcast. It is a challenge being hearing impaired, but I decided to give it a go. With a lot of help from Mark, who luckily works in IT, we did it. I enjoy it so much, and I am so grateful to all of my guests.”
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