EQUINE ELEGANCE
From her childhood days spent on Fowl River to her successful career in physical therapy, Shelby St. John Norton’s deep connection with horses and her unwavering commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the environment has been the driving force behind many decisions in her life. Shelby’s life is a captivating blend of cherished childhood memories, a passionate love for horses, and the exciting reality of breaking ground on a dream family home on Mobile Bay.
By Caroline Edmondson Photos Amber Jones, JonesAmberMichelle@gmail.com Makeup Jessica Price, Primp Lash & Beauty, 251.285.3000 Hair Jason Chamber, HeadDress Salon, 251.689.7427
After graduating from UMS-Wright, Shelby St. John Norton, a Mobile native, fondly remembers her childhood filled with unforgettable experiences. Alongside her brothers, she spent weekends on Fowl River, crafting forts, navigating boats and four-wheelers, skiing, swimming, and fishing. Notably, she had a pet wood duck named “Web” who was her swimming companion. It was during these idyllic days that her love for horses began to flourish. In high school, her horse resided at a nearby boarding facility, motivating her to frequent the river often. However, her life’s path led her away from Mobile for a while.
Shelby pursued a degree in entomology at the University of Georgia and later earned a doctorate in physical therapy from the University of South Alabama. Her career led her to work at a neurological rehabilitation hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, for four years, where she achieved the distinction of becoming the youngest ever, at that time, to obtain her Hippotherapy specialty certification, HPCS, involving physical therapy treatments using horses as dynamic surfaces. “It was a fantastic experience,” Shelby recalls of her time in Lexington. “I learned a great deal and felt like I really made a difference.”
Shelby’s life took a serendipitous turn when she met her husband, Taylor Norton, an outdoors enthusiast raised in Loxley. The magic happened on social media, despite having mutual friends from their childhood. They finally crossed paths at the age of 30, drawn together through a mutual acquaintance’s wedding. “We were both asked via Facebook for our addresses for my cousin’s wedding (back when there was a Facebook wall you had to write on) and he was drawn to a picture of me quail hunting—mostly he was drawn to the dog in the picture,” she laughs. A Trombone Shorty concert served as the backdrop for their first date, and the rest, as they say, is history. Approaching their ninth year of marriage, the couple now celebrates their love with their three beloved children: Joseph, Chapman, and Shepard.
As a busy mother, Shelby’s days are a blend of motherly responsibilities and a deep passion for cooking wholesome, nutritious meals for her family. Her own health journey has inspired this culinary commitment. Beyond that, she enjoys tending to their animals, engaging in tennis matches, strolling along the bay’s shores, and maintaining an active lifestyle. With their two eldest children involved in sports and jujitsu, the Norton family is always on the move during the school year. But no matter how busy life gets, she always finds time for her true passion: riding horses.
Shelby and Taylor Norton have recently embarked on an exhilarating journey to build their dream home by the bay. Their love for the outdoors, bay, and the delta region led them to explore bayfront property. While the challenges of building a home are known, the Nortons are thrilled about the process. “I was a little hesitant about the work involved in building, but we are very excited and the process has been fun,”
Shelby tells us. “My dad is an engineer and he and my mom have great experience with new construction. They have been instrumental in the process from plans to framing, and my mother is helping with the interior design as well.” Truly a family affair, their new home will be a haven for the family, nurturing their love for the environment and instilling the importance of environmental stewardship.
When it comes to their home’s aesthetic, Shelby’s style can best be described as “rustic elegant.” She treasures a clean, uncluttered look, using furniture and art to infuse color. Antique animal oil paintings, some acquired from collector Patricia Hall, adorn their dining room and will soon find a place in the foyer of their new house. “My favorite painting is one of a fox hunt!” Throughout the rest of the house, modern pieces will harmonize with antique furniture, and family heirlooms such as her grandmother’s corner cabinet and antique beds for her daughter will continue to add warmth and character. “I am very sentimental so I love using family heirlooms in my home,” Shelby says.
Based in Fairhope and a southern-to-the-core NYC transplant, Patricia Hall is a long-time private antique dealer and shares, “I’ve noticed younger people are showing a heightened interest in antique art, furnishings and accessories. Shelby has exquisite taste and purchased an antique English fox hunt painting and has since purchased other pieces from me to add to her collection. It’s wonderful that so many millennials are turning to traditional pieces that compliment Ikea, Pottery Barn and Paris flea market treasures. There is something to be said for elegance, durability, and tradition. It can be fresh and timeless all at once. I tell young folks to ‘just go for it’ and throw that contemporary painting right over the Georgian chest of drawers or to hang their children’s framed watercolors over a period sideboard. Old and new, not a bad metaphor!”
With the holiday season approaching, the Norton family’s cherished traditions come to life. They alternate between celebrating Christmas with Shelby’s parents and Taylor’s parents in Loxley. On Christmas Eve, the family enjoys a small celebration with just their immediate family featuring a prime rib roast and elegant table settings with China, crystal, and silver—an annual tradition that brings joy and togetherness.
The Norton family’s bond grows stronger through shared outdoor adventures. They all have a love for riding horses, fishing, swimming, skiing, and tubing. The children actively engage in duck and dove hunting, and their youngest has embraced kayaking. Whether they are exploring the woods, sailing, riding, on their boat, or simply enjoying the great outdoors, they cherish being together. Their vacations often include snow skiing trips out west and local beach getaways, as their children are always eager for new adventures.
Shelby’s lifelong passion for horses has been a defining element of her life. She has always been drawn to these majestic animals. Whether it was drawing pictures for her first-grade teacher or leasing a pony, she found ways to be near them. “Horse people often say your love for horses ‘is in your blood.’ My great grandfather was a horse trader, so maybe that is where my love came from,” says Shelby.
““Horse people often say your love for horses is in your blood.’ My great grandfather was a horse trader, so maybe that is where my love came from.””
“I didn’t own my own horse until I was 16, but somehow I’ve always found a way to be with them. I followed hoof prints once when I was 8 or so that led to the horse’s owner’s house—which resulted in a relationship lasting through college. She shared her horses with me through most of my childhood. I used to take her horses swimming in Fowl River.” Although she lost her dream horse to colic four years ago, her love for riding and caring for horses has not wavered, thanks to the support of friends and generous farm owners like Wendy Womble.
“The Wombles and their farm have been such a blessing to me at this point in my life with young children. It has allowed me the opportunity to experience my love for horses without owning one and having the stresses that come with horse ownership,” she gratefully shares. “Curzon is a wonderful horse and I have enjoyed him so much. He has taught me a great deal as he’s an old Dressage pro. I like to think the relationship is mutually beneficial—he pretends to be angry about work at times, but he truly loves his job.”
Shelby’s personal style beautifully reflects her love for horses and the equestrian lifestyle. She effortlessly combines functionality and style, often seen in her riding clothes, tall boots, hats, and equestrian-themed clothing. “I typically feel good wearing my riding clothes and can be seen in the grocery store and school pick up in them often. I feel like they are functional and stylish,” she shares. Yet, comfort remains a priority—even though going shoeless is not always socially acceptable!
As Shelby and her family embark on this new chapter in their bayfront dream home, they aspire to create a space where friends and family can gather, immerse themselves in the bay’s beauty, and discover peace in nature. They aim to instill in their children a profound love and respect for the environment, cultivating a sense of responsibility as stewards of the land. Above all, they hope their home becomes a cherished place for their loved ones to return to for many years to come, brimming with laughter, adventure, and love.
