Susan Brown
Licensed Trainer/CHA Certified Instructor
33 Years of Experience- Susan has a very diverse equestrian background. She started by learning hunt seat and jumping. In Arizona she learned Western as she wrangled horses. Her true passion is trail riding, and she does a lot of it. With a non-competitive personality, she is in this field for pure enjoyment. She wants to help others find the same true joy that horses have given her. Susan has been a student of the renowned Dressage trainer, Mario Contreras, the opening performer for 2011 World Equestrian Games. For years she led the gaited division in large public demonstrations near Chicago. She gives clinics and she teaches clients how to camp overnight with horses. An avid learner, Susan perpetually engages in continuing education, striving to keep her training and lesson program at its full potential. She is licensed with the Walking Horse Trainers Assoc.
Natural Horsemanship Trainer- Susan has learned training techniques used by Chris Cox, John Lyons, Pat Parelli and others. She understands the horse’s instincts and how to help the horse overcome them. She starts colts, and tackles issues such as de-spooking, trailer loading, bad habits, and more with tremendous success. She trains the brain for strong communication, a nurturing relationship, and willingness.
Gaited Horse Trainer- Susan employs Natural Horsemanship, Dressage and Reining techniques to achieve top performance from both horse and rider. She understands how to create true collection in order to find the horse’s desired gait. And she can explain this and teach it to her clients.
What is a gaited horse? See our articles page.
Licensed Trainer - with the Walking Horse Trainers Association
CHA Certified Instructor- in English, Western and as a Trail Guide.
Fully Insured, with References available upon request
Shannon Brown
Assistant Trainer and Instructor
12 Years Experience- Shannon has been riding for 12 years and has been instructing for 6 years. Now she has been training for four years, including Natural Horsemanship Training, Classical Dressage, Reining, Driving, and, of course, Gaited Horses. She currently owns a very talented Tennessee Walking Horse that she retrained herself.
Member of the Mario Contreras Team- Near Chicago, IL, Shannon was a working student under Dressage trainer Mario Contreras for two years. Mario is the head trainer of the Medieval Times and the trainer for some of the top Andalusion and Fresian stallions in the country. He has won Dressage Competitions at St. George Grand Prix level, and he was the solo opening performer for the opening ceremonies of the World Equestrian Games 2011.
Intern with Chris Hull Performance Horses- Shannon currently trains Reining horses alongside Chris Hull in Madisonville, TN.
Fully insured- With references available upon request.
Contact info: shandwich45@aol.com (630) 373-7704
Some trainers are better at training horses, some prefer teaching students. Susan excels at both. Long on patience, she has a knack for explaining concepts in a way the student can easily understand. Teaching progresses at the speed best suited for the clients, whether that be a person, animal, or both. Safety and control are the main focus. Susan is dedicated to helping both horses and people to improve communication, understanding and comfort in order to be successful at whatever pursuits they have with their horse.
