Sue Nerland
Sue began training neighbors' horses as well as her own at age eight. At age 14 she
spent a year studying with Dr. H.L.M. van Schaik,a well known dressage trainer and instructor. On Dr. van Schaik's
recommendation, Sue was accepted into the Horsemaster's (B.H.S.A.I.) program at Porlock Vale Riding Academy
in England. After graduation, she returned to train horses, give balance seat riding lessons, and attend college. She eventually
moved to Kansas where she became one of the founders of the American Dressage Federation.
From 1993-2002 Sue and her husband Chris owned and managed Walnut Hill Equestrian Centre, located in Rogersville,
MO. Sue became a recognized equitation instructor and produced many equitation championship riders including three World
Championships garnered in 1998,1999, and 2001.
For seven months beginning November
1998, an assistant to Tom Caisse(Kohler Stables) was hired to teach Sue how to train a horse to drive for the Class A pleasure
driving classes. Since that time, Sue has trained many horses using this method. The thirteen year old mare HVK Stillness
was broke to drive by Sue when the mare was eleven. Currently Sue is galloping Kantamos over the
600 acre field to ready him for saddle training in 2019.
In December
2001 Sue was diagnosed with advanced COPD. Immediately most of the horses were sold and the lesson horses were given
away. Sue became CEO of the family business upon the death of her father and Chris tried to keep the farm going. In 2004
Sue had a total knee replacement and gall bladder surgery and in 2011 had more knee surgery; it was thought she
would never train or ride again. A broken right wrist in 2016 has slowed her down some but she still manages to train
around two horses a day: the classic pleasure driving stallion R'surene Kantamos and her carriage horse R'surenes Harlequin.
Sue has beaten the odds; she is now back to training and showing the farm's horses. Now
in full retirement Sue has devoted her last years to training and riding her beloved Morgan horses and
being the three state transport liason for Carolina Poodle Rescue, Pacolet, SC.
Winston's children love to be sung to, here is just an example.
| R'surene Carasu |
|
|
| Southern States Regional 2011 |
Sue's first and last ride on this exceptional mare. Two weeks before Nationals, Carasu
sustained a knee injury thereby abruptly ending her stellar show career. We were told that given Carasu's broken knee she
had only one shot to carry a foal to term. Sue chose the two time World Hunter Pleasure Champion MEM Bailamos. Carasu had
a tough time with her pregnancy but she safely delivered a brown colt which Sue has named R'surene Kantamos aka BB.
Click here to read more about BB
