As shared by Cheryl Williams in a June 3. 2009 Urban Views Weekly posting, “African Americans are the minority within a minority as equestrianism remains an interest among a few people, primarily White.
But like Sumayyah, Shayla is determined to be one of those few. She began her college career at the University of Florida prior to attending Virginia Intermont. In her own words of her experiences on the Florida campus, Shayla submits: “At Florida University I was already an anomaly because I was the only Black person on the team. I only started being outcast by certain members once I made it to the Nationals, as if they’d realize ‘She’s serious’ or felt entitled, like I was supposed to get that spot!’ I ignored it and mostly dealt with my friends.
I liked Intermont and had a great world-class trainer.”
Although Shayla still has a dream of becoming an equine profession, she is as of a later personal exchange in a 2010 Urban View “Comment” section an instructor, a horse trainer and head coach of the Compton Jr. Posse, a not-for-profit group aimed at keeping young people off the streets and on horses.
“My dream of making it to the Olympics is still very much alive, as I have a great team supporting me here in L.A.”