Neil's Susie

"Susie"

April 2000

Registered Percheron Mare

Please see more recent photos of Susie on our Foals page with her Filly Callista DDF!

Susie was quite a lucky find. We had been searching for a good easy going mare for John and finally after many months searching on the internet her image popped up. We were going to pass on her and then the old owners sent us a video of her swimming in the lake with them. No halter or anything.  Such a big horse and she watched for her owner and made sure he was okay. John and I were blown away.   On my day off I made the five hour drive to western Virginia to have a look at her. Well needless to say I was so impressed that I put money down on her and called John on the long drive home.  He was kind of surprised, but when she arrived he could not have been happier. 

Susie is John's riding mare and our foundation mare for breeding Spanish Normans, which is a cross between the Percheron and Andalusian.  John absolutely loves this mare and really enjoys taking her out for rides, also she pouts if dad does not stop out and see her at least once a day.  She has been great for him, reminding him of what he learned about horses as a youngster in Texas. She is definitely a gentle giant and take cares of John where ever we go not to mention they get lots of compliments which makes John a very proud father.

See our foals page for Susie's very first Spanish Norman Filly Callista DDF!!!  Susie out did herself!!!

John and Suzie's second dressage lesson in February 2008.  They did great! Once again at Oak Ridge Park, we are so lucky to have such a great facility so close by.  We don't have a nice level place for an outdoor sand ring, so having two sand rings so close by is great!

John and Susie have started taking dressage lessons!! I have been working with Susie so she understands what she is supposed to do.  John did very well, but sprained his ankle badly and can't ride for 6 weeks.  So I guess I will have more time to fine tune Susie for John.  She is such a fun mare to ride and although not impressed with going in circles she still goes with the training.  I feel like I am riding on a tank though and everyone that sees me get a big chuckle at the site.  I am hoping to take Susie to a few schooling shows over the winter and hopefully when John recovers he can as well.  John will get photography duty until he gets better!

Gladiador is infatuated with Susie, Here is the very happy young stallion with his favorite mare!

         

Susie at her favorite pastime enjoying the round bale!          Susie on a very nice December Day.

 

                   

 Susie watching over her "babies" at the old place - March 06                                     John and Susie - Dec 06