Susan H. Sjolund
Biography
A Rhode Island native, Susan was privileged to train as a junior and young amateur with some of the country's top professionals. Her successful equitation career included qualifying for New England Equitation Finals, Medal/Maclay and earning the 1981 New England Equitation Champion title. In 1980 she rode Spread The News to the RIHA Reserve Championship Working Hunter year-end award. In 1981 the pair earned the RIHA Children's Hunter year-end Championship. Susan also successfully competed in PHA, junior jumper and USET classes.
Following Susan's formal undergraduate education at Boston University, she moved to France to further her studies at L'universite de Grenoble, where she continued to ride and train. Upon her return to the States, she declared her professional status. Following graduate school at Middlebury College, she worked and rode for Jay Sargent at Sandy Point Stables.
In 1988, Susan moved to Virginia, where she began to work with Kit Sydnor, former "R" judge and 2014 recipient Jane Marshall Dillon. Susan credits Kit with teaching her how to "think like a horse". Living in Virginia and learning from"the best hunter people in the country".
Susan was appointed to the Riding Faculty at Sweet Briar College, where she was introduced to the American National Riding Commission (ANRC), where she earned the organizations highest rider rating. She currently serves as co-chair to the organization.
Marriage and twin daughters sidelined her for a short time from riding and teaching. However, in 1999, she was named the founding Director of Riding at Virginia Episcopal School; a highly successful hunter seat program. Her students competed in the inaugural interscholastic invitational in Ohio. That organization would grow to become the"IEA". The VES Riding Program was also home to a community riding program and summer camp.
Under Susan's leadership, the program was sponsored and recognized. Ford Motor Company donated an F-350 Crew Cab Dually Truck. This donation was a partnership with Sundowner Trailers of Lexington, Virginia which provided a 6-horse slant load aluminum gooseneck with dressing room .
A life member of the USEF, and USHJA she holds cards "R" for Hunters ,
"R" for Hunter/Jumping Seat Equitation, and "D" HB, and is a recorded judge for the ANRC. Additionally, her roles for ANRC have included;
board member, steward, clinician, trainer, and judge.
She is a past president of the Southwest Virginia Hunter Jumper Association (SWVHJA), as well as board member, secretary, clinic co-chair, and co-chair of SWVHJA Annual Show and Medal Finals.
Susan was the recipient of the 2014 USHJA/ANRC Professional Service award and the 2015 recipient of the USHJA/ANRC Riding Instructor Award. In 2016-2017, she was invited to serve as Head Coach of Varsity Equestrian Team at The University of the South.
