Susie received her first pony at the age of four and ever since, has been in love with the world of horses. Her first formal riding lessons were taken at Muddy Creek Farm with Dayan (Keller) Birchler in the late 1960’s. It is the Muddy Creek experience that she credits with exposing her to a lesson setting of such enrichment where children of all ages and riding goals could excel. Susie has the distinction of enjoying horses on every level and in many different disciplines. From being the 1972 C.O.S.C.A. High Point Walk/Trot Equitation Champion to experiencing the thrill of competing at the World Championship Horse Show in Freedom Hall, Louisville, KY, she has thoroughly enjoyed and cherished every moment spent with horses. The hundreds of ribbons she won as a child riding and driving Saddlebreds, Morgans, Arabians and ponies of various breeds are a testament to her devotion to the sport.

Having learned to drive a horse long before learning to drive a car, Susie has a special passion for teaching driving lessons. Driving truly is a way that almost any person, of any age, can enjoy involvement with a horse.

In 2007, she became the final owner of the Reserve World Champion Hackney Pleasure Driving Pony, Pride's Perfection, and enjoyed several victories with him. Lovingly known as “Spanky,” he helps out from time to time teaching driving lessons as well as giving tiny tots their first taste of riding a pony.