ABOUT SUSAN

More than 2 decades of experience with horses has given Susan all the knowledge you can ask from a professional. Through all these years Susan has not only competed and ridden from 3 years old to International Grand Prix horses but also has had the opportunity to learn from the best riders in the World. Riders and trainers like Guenter Seidel, Klaus Balkenhol, Annabel Balkenhol, Arnd Erben, and Sue Blinks makes Susan's education the finest. In her first year in Germany Susan accepted a position as a rider for Olympian & former USA Olympic Team Coach, Klaus Balkenhol where she gained invaluable knowledge and experience. Another half year was spent with top International Grand Prix rider and trainer, Arnd Erben in his sales and competition stable. 

Photo Credit: Terri Miller           Photo Credit: Terri Miller 

While in Germany, Susan had the priviledge to ride horses of Olympic caliber like Dablino (Annabell Balkenhol, WEG Kentucky), UII (Guenter Seidel, CHIO Aachen), Stefano (2nd place Dutch Championships behind Totilas). Riding those horses, combined with riding for some of the best professionals in the sport not only strengthened her feel as a rider, but raised her standard in training and competition. 

Before moving to Germany, Susan was the assistant trainer at a top dressage stable in San Diego for 5 years during that period she also rode with Guenter Seidel and Sue Blinks with her private horses. In addition she worked with numerous jumping horses (young through Grand Prix) helping improve their flat work for better results in the jumping ring. Susan continues to travel down south multiple times yearly to train with Guenter Seidel and is grateful he travels nearly monthly up north to teach Susan and her students. Susan jumped right back into the show ring after leaving Germany and spent from 2012 to the start of 2020 at Toyon Farm in Napa California training along side her husband and competed quite a few horses from FEI 5 yr old qualifiers up thru the CDI GP level aboard the talented mare, Liaison. Along side of competing herself, Susan has numerous students currently competing up thru I-1 successfully. Susan has her Bronze, Silver and Gold medals. Along side Susan’s show ring success, she has a solid foundation of horseman ship as a graduate H-A pony clubber, which not only makes her an asset to Ighani Sporthorses as a rider and trainer, but also as someone who manages and cares for the horses.

get to know susan

Photo Credit: Terri Miller             Photo Credit: Sam Wong        Photo Credit: Jenifer Muncy