The Womensport Queensland mentoring project kick started today with a meet and greet breakfast at Fusion Cycles shop in Brisbane. Fourteen Sport and Recreation Rising Star Award winners were given the opportunity to get inspired by some of Australia’s best known sporting legends. Some of the champions involved in the program included Susie O’Neil, Naomi Castle, Gillian Roltan, Karla Gilbert and Vicki Wilson. Susan’s mentor is Paralympic medallist and motivational speaker Karni Liddell.

Unfortunately Susan has fallen short of her dream to represent Australia at the Beijing Paralympics. She was notified by the chairman of selectors that she was unsuccessful in gaining one of five spots on the team and that the results of the selection trials are not going to be released to the riders involved.

Susan is now aiming towards the 2010 FEI World Cup in Kentucky and the 2012 Paralympic Games in England. While she is still searching for a new horse, she is training and competing on ‘Menora Wildfire’ in open EFA dressage at novice level. She would like to wish the Australian team all the best in Beijing.
~ See Article ~

Susan had only two days practise to get acquainted with her Spanish Andalusian mount ‘Mellizo’ owned by Nicole Downs, before competing at the Paralympic selection trials. Held at Tonimbuk Equestrian Centre in Victoria, the trials consisted of training sessions with the national coach and two competition tests, including the freestyle to music. The pair showed some excellent work and Susan was very happy with their performance. She would like to thank Nicole Downs and her family, Matty Sormani, Pauline Wallace, and George Poulter for all their amazing support.

Susan is one of 12 qualified athletes short-listed for the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. The Australian Para Dressage Team will be selected following trials scheduled for March 3rd to 5th. The venue will be Tonimbuk Equestrian Centre, Bunyip North, Victoria. However, due to the Equine Influenza the judges will travel to states that are unable to move their horses. There are only five places available in the team.
~ See Article ~

Susan was honoured to be announced one of three finalists for The COATES Sports Award at the 2007 Queensland Young Achiever Awards. She attended the Gala Awards Presentation Evening held at the beautiful Crowne Plaza Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.

Susan was very surprised to be announced the winner of the award over a strong field of 80 nominations from all different sporting backgrounds including athletics and V8 super cars. Susan would like to thank the sponsors of the award, Coates and Heritage Building Society for this extraordinary opportunity and everyone that has helped her over the years to achieve what she has.
~ See Article ~

Susan would like to welcome Kenmore’s Flying Changes Saddlery as her new sponsor. The saddlery recently celebrated their first birthday with a midnight sale. Susan is very grateful for their support!!! The store has a huge range of top quality products at excellent prices, check out their great deals at: www.flyingchanges.com.au.

Susan competed at the Riding for Disabled Queensland State Dressage Championships, this year held at Gatton Showgrounds. Riding ‘Menora Wildfire’ the pair won all three tests in Grade 1 and were awarded the Senior Highest Score Trophy, which they gained with a score of 73% for their freestyle to music. This was the highest score given out of all the competitors on the day!

Susan was honoured to receive a donation from the Stuartholme School Equestrian Team. She was presented with the donation by equestrian captain, Geo Burke, at the school assembly in the church. The school’s on-going support will help Susan achieve her para-equestrian goals. She would like to wish the team all the best in their QISEA competitions and would like to thank Geo for nominating her and the school for their help.

Channel Nine Extra
17th April 2007

~ Video Clip (3:23 mins) ~

Channel nine’s Extra interviewed Susan for a story on over coming odds in the quest for sporting excellence. Reporter Doug Murray conducted the segment at the Riverside Equestrian Centre. Along with footage of Susan riding Menora Wildfire, her coach Jenny Gehrke, and her mum were interviewed. The show will air at 5.30pm today.

Network Ten News
14th March 2007

~ Video Clip (1:59 mins) ~

Television news reporter Mark Suleau interviewed Susan for an inspirational story that proves determination is the equal to any physical attribute when it comes to sport. Footage was taken at the Riverside Equestrian Centre and includes Susan riding Menora Wildfire, and other interviews with her dressage coach, Jenny Gehrke and her mum. The story will air today on channel ten local news at 5pm and tomorrow on the national ten news at 11am.

Australian Dressage Championships
12th-14th October 2006

~ Photo 1 / Photo 2 ~

Susan competed at the 2006 FEI Para Equestrian Australian National Dressage Championships at Werribee Park Equestrian Centre, in Victoria this month. Susan took home the Grade 1 National Champion Trophy after winning all three tests aboard her horse 'Menora Wildfire'. The pair achieved personal best scores of 71% in the warm-up and freestyle tests. She would like to thank all her supporters, especially the Wallace family, Alyssa, Janine, Jenny, the Queensland team, and Queensland support staff for all their help.
~ See Article ~

Para Equestrian Pacific Rim International
1st-3rd September 2006

~ Photo 1 / Photo 2 / Photo 3 / Photo 4 / Photo 5 / Photo 6 / Photo 7 / Photo 8 / Photo 9 / Photo 10 ~

Thirty-five riders with disabilities from eight counties including Russia, Argentina, United States of America, Canada and China participated at the FEI Pacific Rim Para-equestrian Dressage International Competition, held at Milner Downs Equestrian Centre in Langley, British Columbia, Canada.

The Australian team were introduced to their mounts at the Riding for Disabled Victoria Stables on the beautiful Vancouver Island and had only six days to establish a partnership. Susan was kindly loaned a 16hh, 9-year-old, bay quarter horse mare named ‘Conclusive Talent’, by owner/breeder Jen Kraft.

Susan and ‘Conclusive Talent’ placed 6th in the team test, 4th in the championship test and 3rd in the freestyle to music in Grade 2. She was re-classified to Grade 1B at the conclusion of the competition, which indicates the level of physical disability. The Australian team placed third overall behind Canada and United States of America, who both had the advantage of riding their own horses.

Susan would like to thank Jen Kraft for loaning her wonderfully talented horse, Jane James for sourcing all the Australian Team horses, Roy and Virginia for the generous use of their stables, Michele, Erin, Ruth, David, Vicki, Mary and Ken for all their support and hard work. Well done Canada for hosting such a brilliant event!
~ See Article ~

Susan would like to acknowledge and thank David Finch, MP Michael Johnson, and Magdalena Depa for donating items to help raise much need funds for the upcoming international competition in Canada. These wonderful donations including three beautiful equine drawings which are currently for sale, and a Parliament House wine glass package, which is currently being auctioned. With such valuable support and further financial assistance, once unattainable dreams have become realities.

Twenty riders, the National Coach, Chef’d’Equippe, and CEO of Riding for Disabled Australia, attended a 3-day training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, ACT. The first night, riders and staff were treated to a motivational speech from world record holder and Paralympic shot-put gold medallist, Hamish McDonald, on his inspirational journey to become an elite athlete.

The next day program included, a very informative session on nutrition for competitive performance with AIS nutritionist, Bethanie Allanson, followed by international para-equestrian classifier and physiotherapist, Sharon Gregory's talk on physical fitness for equestrian competition. After lunch we departed to Canberra’s Riding for Disabled Centre Pegasus for a riding demonstration by Kate Hodson, on her gorgeous horse Buddy, and Mary Longden (national coach) discussing some of the finer points of dressage.

Lisa Stevens, a former Australian Women's Show Jumping Champion turned sports psychologist, took us for the final day. Her presentations were both enlightening and entertaining as we focused on performance anxiety, the importance of mental preparation, and team attributes. Feedback suggests the weekend was successfully educational and enjoyable. Thank you to Ken, Mary, and Gill for organising the weekend, the knowledgeable speakers, and Beaky Layton from Pegasus.

Riding for Disabled Association of Australia has announced their national, paralympic, young riders and international squad selections for 2006. This follows the appointment of new paralympic chef d’equipe, Ken Dagley and coach, Mary Longden.

Susan has been chosen in the National Dressage Squad for the fifth consecutive year but for the first time as a Grade 2 rider. She has also been selected to represent Australia at the FEI Pacific Rim Para-equestrian Dressage International CPDI**** Competition in Langley, British Columbia, Canada. The competition will be held on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of September and is a paralympic qualifier event. The Australian team of seven riders will borrow horses in Canada.

Riding for Disabled Association of Queensland held their State Dressage Championships over the Labour Day weekend, at the Maroochydore Showgrounds. For the first time the event combined able-bodied classes along with classified and unclassified classes for disabled riders.

Susan was re-classified before the event and now rides in Grade 2. Tests in Grade 2 are equivalent to EFA novice level excluding canter, except in the freestyle to music where canter is allowed. She rode her mount ‘Menora Wildfire’ to 1st place in all three tests and was awarded Grade 2 Section A State Champion for 2006.

Sponsors and supporters of the event included Pryde’s Easifeed, Woombye-Pomona Lions, North-coast Active Riders Group, Riverview Hotel, Douwe Egberts, Dockside Comedy Bar, Lowood/Fernvale District Hack and Pony Club, Virbac, and Ariat. Special thanks to judges, organisers, and volunteers.

Queensland’s Maryborough Showgrounds hosted a very successful fundraising auction with all proceeds going to help Susan purchase a specially designed and built saddle. Many local businesses, as well as major companies kindly donated goods to auction including I’d Rather Be Riding Saddlery, The World’s Best Hoof Oil, Susan River Homestead, The Good Guys, MI Helicopters, and Kingfisher Bay Resort.

Susan would like to sincerely thank everyone who attended to help and bid so generously, all the wonderful sponsors, and the Maryborough Active Riders Group. Particular mention and deepest thanks to Colleen Kelly and Leandra Hulst for their tremendous support and hard work in organising such an exceptional event.

Entertaining speaker Colleen Kelly has kindly donated an evening lecture on 'How to improve your seat & posture for all horse sports' with all proceeds going to Susan’s new saddle fund. Susan’s saddle is being specially designed and made for her disability by David A Morris Saddles. The lecture will be held on the 8th of April at the Community Pavilion, at the Maryborough Showgrounds in Queensland, starting at 5pm and followed by a fundraising BBQ and Auction.

The event is being supported by some great companies who have donated items very generously for the auction. Susan would like to thank I’d Rather Be Riding Saddlery, The World’s Best Hoof Oil, Susan River Homestead, The Good Guys, MI heilcopters, and Kingfisher Bay Resort for their very generous contributions. Please come and make this a successful fundraising event!

Susan currently uses a dressage saddle that was kindly donated to her by the John Maclean Foundation. While Susan has learnt to ride using this piece of equipment, it would now seem that a specially designed saddle more suited to her needs would significantly improve her comfort, safety, balance, and skills.

Susan has been fortunate enough to have the help of respected biomechanics lecturer and official judge, Colleen Kelly in finding someone willing to design and make this unique saddle. Colleen and her team contacted saddle markers throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Asia, and every state in Australia.

Imagine the excitement when Margy at David A Morris Saddles convinced the amazing engineering & saddle expert David A Morris, BE to take on this wonderful project and build Susan the very complicated saddle she is going to need to make it to the top of the paralympic field! With fits and refits, we have a target to raise $5000 for Susan to get this vital piece of equipment.

Susan would like to sincerely thank Colleen and her group for their efforts, support and enormous enthusiasm in the face of such a challenge. Also to teammate Catherine Alati for offering a saddle for experimentation proposes. And finally, many thanks to Margy and Dave for taking on this project.

Harry Le Bherz OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia) sadly passed away on the 27th of January at the age of 75. Harry was an inspirational leader and supporter of all equestrian disciples and made strong contributions to the sport by being involved as an administrator, volunteer, and official.

Harry and Susan met in 1998, when he judged at the Queensland Riding for Disabled State Dressage Trials at Park Ridge Pony Club. His funeral was held today at the Holy Spirit Anglican Church with a guard of honour made by riders in formal riding attire. Harry will be dearly missed and forever remembered.

Queensland Wins RDA Nationals
28th, 29th, 30th October 2005

~ Photo 1 / Photo 2 / Photo 3 / Photo 4 ~

Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre hosted the 2005 Riding for Disabled National and International Dressage Championships this year. International competitors from Hong Kong Riding for Disabled and New Zealand borrowed horses to compete, except one New Zealand rider who had her horse transported over the Tasman for the event.

Marita Hird, Catherine Alati, Ingrid Bailey, Dylan Cruikshank, and Susan on 'Menora Wildfire' made up the Queensland team with Pat Heipertz, Linda McLachan, and Jennifer Waggstaff as the official support crew. Susan placed 2nd in all three tests, riding despite an injury she sustained during the week. Her results helping the Queensland team bet the hometown favourites Victoria, to win the State Team Trophy (which was last held by the state in 1998).

Susan would like to express her gratitude to the Queensland team for all their help as well as the unofficial team helpers. Further thanks to the Wallace Family, Maggie, Jamie, Tracey, Nicky, Lyndsee, Amy, the Moggill Pony Club, and the Brookfield Pony Club for their kindy aid in the lead up to the event.
~ See Article 1 / Article 2 ~

During September the Moggill Pony Club held a raffle with funds being donated to help Susan and 'Wildfire' compete at the Riding for Disabled National Dressage Championships, in Werribee Victoria, 28th –30th October. Susan has been an active member of the club for many years and was so grateful for the financial assistance. The Brookfield Horse and Pony Club, delighted to hear of the event also kindly contributed funds. Special thanks to Laura Murphy and Jacqui Mathers, for organising the fundraiser and to both clubs for their encouragement and support.

Fernvale Produce Expo
27th August 2005

~ Photo 1 ~

Susan and 'Menora Wildfire' preformed at the Fernvale Produce Expo in support of the McIntyre Centre. The rural expo held over 2 days is the biggest in the Brisbane Valley area and was an excellent opportunity to see the best rural and animal health specialists. Radio station, River 94.9 provided music and other displays like ‘Molly the Dog’ show, Mascot working dogs, and a stallion parade kept the crowd entertained while cursing the stalls.

Wildfire at the QLD States
1st May 2005

~ Photo 1

Sunshine on Queensland’s Maroochydore Showgrounds brought welcomed relief to organisers and competitors, at this year’s Riding for Disabled (RDA) Queensland State Dressage Championships. The mood was friendly and supportive between competitors (as always at RDA events), something remarked on by judges Sue Bright and Jenny Hobbs.

Susan’s mount'McLeod', had gone lame the week prior to the event after months of training, but lucky she was the proud new care-taker of 'Menora Wildfire'. The pair gained fantastic results, considering their limited practise time and were Grade 1 State Champions for 2005. Thanks must go to the event supporters Virbac, Just Country, and the wonderful people from NAG.

National and Talent Identification Squad riders Australia-wide were invited to attend a development camp at the Australian Institute of Sport and Pegasus RDA centre in Canberra. The four-day camp brought together a diverse group of riders, who received daily individual lessons with paralympic coach Gill Richard and assistant coach Anne Hall to develop their skills and seek expert advice.

The program also included information sessions with Athens Medallist Jan Pike on the elite athlete, Carolyn Lieutenant on judging and coaching, Tony Naar discussed the Australian Paralympic Committee, Susan Cusack talked on the team manager’s view-point, and finally core stability and exercise to improve the seat from Gill Richard and Tim Van Dalen. Riders were encouraged to ask questions and found these talks an extremely beneficial experience. Susan could not have attended the camp without the generous support of the Wallace family, the Gorman family, and Trevor Clifford.

Susan unfortunately suffered a broken leg due to a riding accident 3 weeks prior to the Riding for Disabled (RDA) State Dressage Championships. However, she was able to attend the event as a spectator. After 3 months of sunny clear days the Nambour Showgrounds were drenched with much needed but badly timed rain from start to finish of the program. Along with the bad weather many horses were scratched because of lameness leaving some sections without competitors and last minute horse swapping.

Despite disruptions the day was thoroughly enjoyed by on-lookers and results reflexed some of the high quality horses and riders we have in RDA throughout Queensland. Just Country and Virbac have to be thanked for kindly donating prizes as well as all involved with organising the day.

Dressage riders from all over Queensland came to The Cartmill Centre at Burpengary to attend the Gill Richard Clinic. Over two days the current Australian Paralympic Coach gave nine riders one-on-one lessons to improve their dressage skills. Thanks to the Denny Family for allowing their 15hh Stock Horse 'Clancy' to be used by Susan during the clinic. Also to fellow Team members for sourcing such a wonderful mount for her. The clinic was extremely successful and hopefully will take place again next year. All the best of luck to Gill and the Paralympic Squad in their preparation for Athens!

National Championships
28th-30th May 2004

~ Photo 1 ~

The 2004 Riding for Disabled Australia National Dressage Championships were held at Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park, New South Wales. The competition spread over three days with around 40 riders representing Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and overseas guests New Zealand.

Susan rode 'Menora Wildfire' an 8-year-old Morab gelding kindly loaned to her by owner Gordon Wallace. The combination placed 2nd to World Champion silver medallist Jan Pike and imported Hannoverian Warmblood 'Dr Doulittle', in all three tests. The Queensland Team also placed 2nd overall in the State competition. Susan would like to thank the Wallace Family for their support, as well as the Queensland State Team and all our helpers.

Huge thanks to Sue Bright for the following advertisement in Queenslands official dressage magazine 'Salute'. "Susan is on the hunt for a new horse. To lease one would be good but she is also willing to look at buying. Susan needs a schoolmaster, round 15hh would be ideal - but willing to look at any horse that is suitable. A medium level dressage horse is one of the criteria, as Susan is a very accomplished and ambitions rider." - Bright, S. 'Salute' Vol.13 No.2 page 13.

'Southern State Affair' was kindly loaned to the McIntyre Centre for the past three years, however his time has come to go back home. Susan has had the pleasure of competing the medium trained Andalusian gelding in three Riding for Disabled State Dressage Championships, the 2003 Riding for Disabled National Dressage Championships and up to Elementary EFA Dressage Tests. She has learned so much from him and he will be dearly missed by all at McIntyre.

Auckland's Rosedale Pony Club was set to hold the equestrian section of the New Zealand Multi-Sports Paralympic Championships from the 8th to 10th of March. However, due to lack of competitors the equestrain events were cancelled. Susan was the only equestrain athlete in the Queensland team organised by the Sporting Wheelies Association, comprising of five other athletes competing in swimming, boccia, wheelchair tennis and athletics. Susan was very disappointed to hear of the cancellation but would like to thank everyone who help search for horses and wishes the best of luck to the rest of the team!

Susan made a brief appearance at this month's Equitana, held at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Georgia Bruce's Quarterhorse 'Rumby' was Susan's mount for the Riding for Disabled Queensland demonstration, which was conducted by paralympic bronze medallist Martia Hird. Susan was also lucky enough to meet some famous faces during the show including dressage champion Ulla Salzgber, horse whisperer Pat Parelli, and olympic gold medallist Matt Ryan.

Country Music Star Tania Kernaghan visited the McIntyre Centre this month for a promotional interview and photo shoot with Susan for the up-coming Equitana. Tania is Vice Parton of the Riding for Disabled Association Australia and will be competing in the Celebrity Barrel Race during the horse show. Susan and Tania were interviewed for the November edition of Friday Magazine which features in Queensland Country Life. They were joined by another rider for photos with two of McIntyre's dressage horses, 'Southern State Affair' and 'Jessica'.
~ See Article 1 / Article 2 ~

Channel Ten's Totally Wild did a story on the McIntyre Centre this week to promote centres in Australia. The crew followed Susan's group lesson and presenter Ranger Stacey interviewed her as well as other riders, helpers, and her coach. The Episode will air later this month. Catch the show weekdays at 4pm and Saturday at 7:30am on the Ten network.
~ See Article ~