Sue posesses the following qualifications;

• EA Level 2 General Coach

• EA Level 3 Dressage Coach

• EA Coach Educator

• EA NOAS 'A' level Dressage Judge / Mentor

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Chandler Equestrian Services will take you 'from ground  work to Grand Prix'

I started riding in UK at the age of 12 and although from a totally non horsey background, went straight from school to work in the horse industry and eventually ended up running the riding school where I had learned.  
In 1978, an opportunity took me to work in Australia at the AEA, Wallington, for Fred Hoevenaars. Here I was teaching and working young horses with PLENTY off the track!!  I also did quite a lot of
  eventing - mainly on young horses - and rode several horses in dressage. Those were the days when you used to rock up at a comp, help put up the arenas, ride, pencil, cater or judge and then help take down the arenas again!! It’s not like that now.

  It was at the AEA that I started to compete on KAB an ex racehorse that had evented in pony club and open classes. Eventually I rode to Intermediate 2 on him. KAB taught me lots, particularly about patience. 

While at the AEA I was on the Geelong Dressage Club committee.  We were the first club to run a 
large indoor gala competition which included freestyles, pas de deux and dressage to all levels. This became a big event.

 In 1982, I went to Oakwood at Narre Warren where I was Manager/Chief Instructor for 4 years. I purchased KAB at this time and continued to compete on him and others in dressage and eventing. 

In 1986, taking two years away from horses, I went sailing around the Pacific. Not only was 
this a radical move but I also did the journey with two complete strangers. This was definitely different gossip for the horsey folk I had left behind.

While in NZ I couldn’t resist doing a spot of teaching on the South Island. On my return to Oz in early 1988 I got right back into teaching and worked at Statene Park for three months 
to help out after the sad death of Gert Donvig. While there I rode Runs on Love to Grand Prix and competed on him at Oakwood in the first Berwick Classic!

Since then I have lived in Tasmania where I owned another TB gelding and was also an active committee member on the Tasmanian dressage
Committee. I ran my own business at Byerley in Officer for 10 years and for the last seven and a half years  have been Manager/ Chief Instructor 
at the new Oakwood Riding School.
 
Along the way I have gained qualifications both in the UK and Australia and have been a very active member of the Vic NCAS coaching committee. Currently as an EA NCAS Level 2 General Coach, a Level 3 Dressage Coach and Coach Educator, I am also an EA NOAS A level Dressage judge and Mentor.

I love the challenge of helping people with their horses. Carol Simpson has been riding and competing for more than 60 years. She has been a great friend and mentor to me for nearly 20 years and although she still rides no longer competes seriously. Carol has assisted me in many ways to compete by encouraging me to train and ride Harmony, who, despite many health issues is about to start competing again. Carol has also encouraged me on the brilliant Tasman Park Fanfare – owned by Carol. “Fifi” as she is known has had a very solid preliminary and novice career and has now commenced elementary.

I feel very privileged to have had the above opportunities and would never have been able to compete to such levels had I stayed in the UK- it really is a money sport over there. 

So thank you to all my friends both human and equine!