Training
OWNER & HEAD TRAINER
Susan has over 30 years of experience in competitive dressage and horsemanship and holds her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medals. She was a United States Equestrian Team member for two World Equestrian Games: 2010 WEG in Kentucky and 2014 WEG in France. She has numerous national titles and awards as well as regional titles.
Susan’s focus of her equine practice and teaching is combining classical dressage and horsemanship to promote the bond and relationship between horse and rider. The foundation of her system is the belief in the emotional intelligence of the horse and importance and benefit of the horse/human connection.
At age 12, through a project horse named Choco, Susan was introduced to the horsemanship principles taught by Tom Dorrance, Ellen Eckstein and David Hillman. She prides herself on merging these principles with classical dressage to support a healthy physical and emotional relationship between the horse and rider. Her practices promote physical balance and symmetry, soundness, understanding, and emotional wellness.
For continued education, Susan works regularly with US Team Rider Dennis Callin, who she has trained under for more than 15 years, and who comes multiple times per year to WSC for clinics. In addition, Horseman David Hillman is a regular figure at WSC, visiting to help us with our horses and horsemanship. She has also worked with many prominent figures in international dressage including Marisa Festerling, Kristi Wysocki, Shannon and Steffen Peters, Sabine Schut-Kery, Christine Traurig, Robert Dover and Michel Assouline.
Susan’s educational focus has become more local and on her students, developing multiple horses and riders to the FEI levels including Grand Prix. Her teaching philosophy is centered around building confidence in both horses and riders through the understanding and fair use of the aides. Susan believes positive communication is essential and that horse/rider partnerships are first and foremost. Susan has a very active lesson calendar and gives lessons to a wide variety of pairs, from currently competing FEI riders to pleasure riders who would like a foundation in classical dressage and horsemanship. Anyone is welcome!
EVA KING
ASSISTANT TRAINER
Eva is the Assistant Trainer at Winterhaven Dressage, and holds her USDF Bronze and Silver medals. She was the typical horse crazy child, and grew up on a ranch just south of Half Moon Bay, CA. She and her pony, Strawberry, roamed the coastal hills on a daily basis, participated in local parades and Pony Club. During Eva’s college years, she began focusing on Dressage, and that was when she met Susan.
In addition to Susan’s regular coaching, Eva has also worked extensively with Ellen Eckstein, David Hillman and Dennis Callin. Dennis was instrumental in helping Eva further her dressage education, as well as experience in the high performance show ring. Eva has also worked with a number of top coaches, including Robert Dover, Shannon Peters, Sabine Schut-Kery, Christine Traurig and Marisa Festerling.
Under the guidance of Susan, Eva has developed her horse, Drake, from an un-started yearling to schooling the Grand Prix at 10 years old. Drake has a list of accomplishments including top placings at shows through the levels, FEI young horse classes, USDF & American Hanoverian Horse of the Year in 2016. In 2017, Eva qualified for the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Championships, where she finished fourth in the nation in the Prix St. Georges division. In addition to training and competing horses, Eva enjoys teaching lessons to her dedicated group of riders.
Career Highlights
2017
Markel/USEF Developing Horse National Championships - Fourth Place
2016
American Hanoverian Horse of the Year - Fourth Level
2016
USDF Horse of the Year - Fourth Level
2013
CDS Futurity - Cal Bred, Reserve Champion
YOUNG HORSE PROGRAM
We offer young horse starting and foundational dressage training for all breeds.
