Susan has been riding from the age of nine. After experience with ponies of differing types, she acquired an Irish Draught on which she hunted with the Hampshire Hunt, and for many years competed regularly in Show Jumping, Cross Country and Hunter Trials. Later, after gaining the BHSAI, Susan was employed as an instructor in a large riding school. Her further equestrian experience included breeding, showing, and breaking and schooling youngstock, and she has had success both when showing breeds at County level and when competing in unaffiliated Dressage on a Cleveland Bay. Before taking up saddlery in 1991, she worked for a few seasons with Kerry Packer's Ellerston Polo Team. Susan now rides whenever time allows, enjoys riding sidesaddle when she can, and was delighted when given a ride at the National Sidesaddle Show in 2002.