Nina M. Shaffer
Professional Equestrian
Owner, Rider, Handler and Trainer
2025 Career Highlights: Ribbons at Devon, Sidesaddle "Under the Oaks", Qualified for CBLM Dressage Championships
2024 Career Highlights: Ribbons at Devon & Dressage at Devon, Competed in Hunter Breeding (National, Zone 1 & Zone 2 Recognition), & traditional Dressage with Cordisco, Nik of Time, and Ca$hin’ Out. Clients competed in Dressage, Hunters, IEA, IHSA, and Equitation.
2023 Career Highlights: Assisted in the sale of over 50 TRRAC horses, Ribbons at Devon & Upperville, Competed in Hunter Breeding (National and Zone 2 Recognition), Dressage, and Hunters. Clients competed in Hunter Breeding, Western Dressage, traditional Dressage, Hunters, & Equitation.
2024 Career Highlights: Ribbons at Devon & Dressage at Devon, Competed in Hunter Breeding (National, Zone 1 & Zone 2 Recognition), & traditional Dressage with Cordisco, Nik of Time, and Ca$hin’ Out. Clients competed in Dressage, Hunters, IEA, IHSA, and Equitation.
2023 Career Highlights: Assisted in the sale of over 50 TRRAC horses, Ribbons at Devon & Upperville, Competed in Hunter Breeding (National and Zone 2 Recognition), Dressage, and Hunters. Clients competed in Hunter Breeding, Western Dressage, traditional Dressage, Hunters, & Equitation.
Devon 2025
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Honored to have cared for the FOUNDATIONAL FOUR horses who paved the way for the Grand Slam Equestrian lesson program as we know it to this day- Rosstar Superboy, Serendipity, Deal Me In, & Tommy the Terminator.
Equestrian and Educator blood runs deep in the Shaffer Family. Nina M. Shaffer is a fourth generation equestrian with a very diverse equestrian background. Her great-grandfather Calhoun owned and operated a family farm in Western, PA. He and his daughter Doris Calhoun-Grubb showed walking horses. Doris is responsible for Nina's love of horses and The Devon Horse Show. Nina began her riding career at just sixteen months of age competing for the first time at eighteen-months old in local leadline classes. "I take great pride in upholding the Shaffer family traditions not only as an educator, but as a well-rounded equestrian."
On March 31, 1993 the Shaffer's purchased Rosstar Superboy, a small, bay, Arabian gelding for their three year old daughter, Nina. Parents Craig and Debbie had no idea that this little gelding would live up to his name. The Arabian horse is such a versatile breed, and it is not uncommon to see the same horse competing in multiple disciplines at the same show. Showing Arabian horses has helped her to cross over and compete in multiple disciplines including dressage, eventing, western pleasure, and endurance, most of which she did with Superboy.
The early organizations to which Nina belonged were the Eastern Arabian Horse Show Association (EAAHSC) and the Triangle Horse Show Series which are both still in existence today. It fostered a sense of community among exhibitors and offered competitions at some of the greatest venues on the East Coast. As Nina & Superboy aged, parents Craig and Debbie Shaffer took on roles beyond just being 'Horse Show Parents.' In 1999, Craig Shaffer was the Chairman of the organization and was responsible for calculating year end points and hosting the SE PA Horse Show. Debbie Shaffer ordered ribbons, helped with stabling, entries, and prizes. This early exposure and experience is what led Nina to manage her own horse shows as a professional.
In addition to Arabian breed shows, Nina grew up participating in the 4-H program in Chester County, PA and has served as the Vice President of the Romano 4-H Center Board of Directors. The 4-H program taught her safety, horsemanship, leadership, and community service.
Nina was awarded a Bachelors degree in Education from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. It was during college that Nina obtained her mount, Serendipity who she competed in the young hunters and in hand classes winning top ribbons at Devon. She also participated as a member of the West Chester University Equestrian Team as part of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) competitions. Upon graduation, Nina still represented WCU as an Alumni rider at the Tournament of Champions.
In 2016 Nina declared professional status. Inspired by Scott Brash winning the GRAND SLAM OF SHOW JUMPING in 2016 aboard Hello Sanctos, Grand Slam Equestrian came into existence shortly thereafter. "It was very important to me that the name of my business represent a TEAM and not just an individual. There are many people that are behind the success of a horse and rider. I could not do what I do today without the loyal customers and team of various professionals which include our vets, farriers, vendors & volunteers."
Today, Nina continues to keep education and safety at the forefront of her operation. She is constantly learning from and looking up to leading professionals in the industry and takes lessons in dressage, hunters, and equitation. "We can always learn from others, especially working around horses regardless of our prior experience."
Whether you are looking to ride for pleasure, get back in the saddle for the first time in years, hone your horsemanship skills, or get out there and compete, let us help you get there. Nina's degree in Education plays a direct role in her teaching of lessons. She's patient and kind with the horses and the riders and Grand Slam Equestrian offers a boutique-like experience. "Unicorns live at Grand Slam Equestrian."
On March 31, 1993 the Shaffer's purchased Rosstar Superboy, a small, bay, Arabian gelding for their three year old daughter, Nina. Parents Craig and Debbie had no idea that this little gelding would live up to his name. The Arabian horse is such a versatile breed, and it is not uncommon to see the same horse competing in multiple disciplines at the same show. Showing Arabian horses has helped her to cross over and compete in multiple disciplines including dressage, eventing, western pleasure, and endurance, most of which she did with Superboy.
The early organizations to which Nina belonged were the Eastern Arabian Horse Show Association (EAAHSC) and the Triangle Horse Show Series which are both still in existence today. It fostered a sense of community among exhibitors and offered competitions at some of the greatest venues on the East Coast. As Nina & Superboy aged, parents Craig and Debbie Shaffer took on roles beyond just being 'Horse Show Parents.' In 1999, Craig Shaffer was the Chairman of the organization and was responsible for calculating year end points and hosting the SE PA Horse Show. Debbie Shaffer ordered ribbons, helped with stabling, entries, and prizes. This early exposure and experience is what led Nina to manage her own horse shows as a professional.
In addition to Arabian breed shows, Nina grew up participating in the 4-H program in Chester County, PA and has served as the Vice President of the Romano 4-H Center Board of Directors. The 4-H program taught her safety, horsemanship, leadership, and community service.
Nina was awarded a Bachelors degree in Education from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. It was during college that Nina obtained her mount, Serendipity who she competed in the young hunters and in hand classes winning top ribbons at Devon. She also participated as a member of the West Chester University Equestrian Team as part of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) competitions. Upon graduation, Nina still represented WCU as an Alumni rider at the Tournament of Champions.
In 2016 Nina declared professional status. Inspired by Scott Brash winning the GRAND SLAM OF SHOW JUMPING in 2016 aboard Hello Sanctos, Grand Slam Equestrian came into existence shortly thereafter. "It was very important to me that the name of my business represent a TEAM and not just an individual. There are many people that are behind the success of a horse and rider. I could not do what I do today without the loyal customers and team of various professionals which include our vets, farriers, vendors & volunteers."
Today, Nina continues to keep education and safety at the forefront of her operation. She is constantly learning from and looking up to leading professionals in the industry and takes lessons in dressage, hunters, and equitation. "We can always learn from others, especially working around horses regardless of our prior experience."
Whether you are looking to ride for pleasure, get back in the saddle for the first time in years, hone your horsemanship skills, or get out there and compete, let us help you get there. Nina's degree in Education plays a direct role in her teaching of lessons. She's patient and kind with the horses and the riders and Grand Slam Equestrian offers a boutique-like experience. "Unicorns live at Grand Slam Equestrian."
