Susann started riding in her hometown of Karlsruhe, Germany, under classical master Egon von Neindorff. She earned her “Reiterabzeichen” silver and bronze certification from the German national equestrian federation, enabling her to compete at the highest levels of both dressage and jumping throughout Europe.

In 1995, Susann moved to Maui, where she was a founding member of the Hawaii State Dressage Society.

Her next move was to California in 1999, where she has become an important member of the West Coast dressage community. “Susann has continually brought genuine joy as well as a classically trained approach to her work,” observes Kathleen Raine, a two-time U.S. Olympic dressage team member and West Coast trainer. “With her skill set and knowledge of dressage, as well as her warm demeanor, she adds a lot to the local dressage community and is an absolute pleasure to work with.”

Susann worked with highly esteemed trainer Jutta Schott along with Kathleen Raine, Christine Traurig and Steffen Peters. She currently clinics with Ulf Wadeborn and Lars Holmberg.

Susann has a long resume of success in Open dressage shows and in dressage divisions at International Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Association competitions. Her most gratifying successes, however, come from her students as they develop and advance their partnerships with their horses.

Training clients’ horses is one aspect of her work, but “helping my students maintain that training is what I really love,” she explains. “My goal is to make the horse really rideable for their owners. That’s how they have a better time together.”