Susan’s Bio

 

Susan was born in Dubuque, Iowa and her love affair with horses began with her first horseback ride on her sister’s horse at the age of three.  Lessons began at the age of six.  By the time Susan turned fourteen she managed to buy her first horse, an Arabian gelding, with a little help from her mom (and an unsuspecting dad)! 

Instruction at a more advanced level would follow.  Susan worked at several training and show barns and a show career followed.  At seventeen, Susan would turn in her amateur card and begin training and showing professionally.

A former Marine Colonel recognized Susan’s talents and abilities with horses and put her to work training and showing his Warmbloods.  This would spark Susan’s interest in dressage and jumping and led her to more instruction from a Grand Prix level trainer. 

Susan moved to Montana and continued working for the Colonel. She purchased two range raised half thoroughbred horses, great grandchildren of the renowned racing stallion, “Bold Ruler,” to continue to pursue her interest in jumping.  These two completely wild horses would later earn her a Silver and Bronze medallion through the American Warmblood Society.  Susan credits her experiences with these two characters, as having taught her a tremendous amount about the aspects and characteristics of horses, along with leading her to the road with John Lyons.

Susan’s life in Montana introduced her to the foundation type quarter horse.  She fell in love with the heart, kindness and athleticism of these wonderful horses, and since 1991 she has been breeding horses with a heavy base of King 234 in their pedigrees.

In October of 2009 a book entitled “The Official Horse Breeds Standards Book” will be published and available to the public.  Three of Susan’s horses will be featured and will exclusively represent the Foundation Quarter Horse Breed in this book.

After an eye opening injury to herself and close call with one of her horses, Susan signed up for her first John Lyons Clinic in 1990.  Seeking a better way with horses and one that agreed with her ideas of humane treatment towards these beautiful animals, she felt she had found that in John Lyons.  Absolutely inspired by the experience, she knew this was the only way she would continue training horses.  She followed up with seven weeks of apprenticeship with John and later over the course of an additional eighteen months she was in the first group to complete the John Lyons Certification Program in 1994.  Later she joined the elite group of John Lyons Select Certified Trainers and in 2006 traveled back to Parachute, CO to ride in a clinic instructed by John.

Susan was chosen to be a trainer in the first Extreme Mustang Makeover in 2007.  This contest aired on RFD TV September through December of 2007.  She and her Mustang “Big Mac” would later appear on the Cover of “Perfect Horse” Magazine and perform at Horse Expos in the NW. 

Susan found a love and appreciation for another breed of horse, the wild Mustang, and has worked as a guest clinician at gentling demonstrations for the Bureau of Land Management as well.

In 2008 Susan also authored her first book “Trailer Training for You and Your Horse.”

Susan’s Horse Experience Includes:

*WA State Director for the American Warmblood Society, 1991.

*Director of the Year Award from the American Warmblood Society, 1991.

*Winner of the American Warmblood Society’s Silver and Bronze Medallions with her formerly wild horses; Midnight Star and Magic Getaway.

*Participant in the USDF Sport Horse Seminar with Dr. Hanfried Haring (Germany) with her mare Midnight Star, 1992.

*First Championship Snaffle Bit win with her AQHA Stallion and Certification Partner, Dregers Dry Tivio.

*Placing 3^rd in the All Dun Futurity with her young stallion, IA Pines Ransom.

*5^th in the Nation at the Foundation Quarter Horse Registry’s Round-Up and Review in   Grand Island, NE with her filly Chex My Royal Freckles, 2000.  (This filly was bred on Susan’s farm – by Diamond Royal EQH and out of Dregres Freckle Chex – both owned by Susan).

*Main Event Speaker for the Certified Horsemanship Associations International Conference, 2000.

*Former WA State Representative and Carded Judge for the Foundation Quarter Horse Registry.

Horse Expos:

The Mane Event 2007

Hands On Horses 2008

Ride The West 2008

Photo Credit:  Wendy, Wild Spirit Photo