Susan's Life Embodies Her Deep Love & Profound Appreciation for Horses
Equestrian Experience and Accomplishments:
- Began riding at age 2, developing a passion for horses and thoroughbreds
- Raised and raced thoroughbreds for over three decades
- Retrained numerous racehorses for second careers
- Participated in major show-jumping events and thoroughbred race meets worldwide
- Coached by renowned equestrians Neal Shapiro, Debbie Stephens, Michael Mellor, and Anthony D'Ambrosio, Jr.
Professional Experience:
2003-2013: Creator and Host of the award-winning UNBRIDLED TV series
- Debuted from the backstretch in Saratoga while galloping racehorses for trainers Todd Pletcher and Bill Mott
- Series earned multiple Telly Awards and the US Equestrian Federation's Pegasus Award for Broadcast Media Excellence
- Broadcast nationally and spun-off international series 'Ireland Unbridled'
2004-Present: Founder and Leader of Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation (UTF), now Unbridled Sanctuary
- Championed efforts to shed light on the crucial legislation needed to protect racing thoroughbreds from ending up in the slaughter pipeline
- Expanded UTF into a rescue, sanctuary, and educational center for equine-inspired academics, active learning, advocacy, art, and animal ethics
- Celebrating 20 years of lifesaving love for horses in 2024, marking two decades of unwavering dedication to equine rescue, rehabilitation, advocacy, and education
- Redefining the landscape of equine ethics, championing the notion that all horses should be cared for throughout their natural 30-year lifespan
- Catalyzed groundbreaking legislative changes in New York State, signed into law by Governor Hochul, ensuring a safer future for equines
2015: Creator and Host of Real Horse Rescues (RHR) on ABC-10
- 13-episode equine advocacy series connecting viewers with local equine rescues, sanctuaries, and adoption organizations
2016: Equine Care Manager at Equine Advocates
- Appointed to manage the care and handling of the organization's 80+ equine residents
Education and Certifications:
2017: Certified Humane Education Specialist, Academy of Prosocial Learning
Speaking Engagements:
2018-2023: Invited Speaker and Presenter at The Oxford Centre School for Animal Ethics, University of Oxford
2019-2021: Speaker and Presenter at NYS Senate and Assembly Public Hearings on the Welfare of Racehorses in New York State
Voice Artist:
- Accomplished voice artist across various platforms, including audiobooks, television shows, commercials, corporate videos, non-profit projects, educational programs, and documentary films
- Narrated the Audible Audio Edition of "Preparing You and Your Horse for the First Off-the-Property Ride" by Nanette Levin
Notable Achievements:
2012: Featured on The New York Times front page in an exposé on drug abuse in horse racing
- Coverage contributed to reforming the use of Clenbuterol in New York Racing
Current Focus:
Advancing the mission of Unbridled Sanctuary through:
- Celebrating 20 years of lifesaving love for horses and ushering in a new era of ethical engagement with equines
- Organizing The Horses of Unbridled art exhibitions in public spaces to share stories through visual images
- Creating a world-class educational curriculum, The Stable Classroom, harnessing the power of rescued horses' stories to cultivate empathy and understanding
- Expanding the sanctuary grounds to accommodate more horses in need and enhance visitor experiences
- Continuing data collection, analysis, direct care of horses, education, storytelling, and teaching with The Horses Of Unbridled
Goals:
- Advance moral consideration for horses, recognizing them as sentient beings deserving of love, respect, and lifelong commitment
- Inspire ethical engagement with horses and foster a society grounded in compassion and responsibility
- End abuse, cruelty, drugging, exploitation, slaughter, and suffering of horses
- Create a world where the bond between humans and equines is one of mutual respect and lifelong commitment
Hobbies and Interests:
Painting, philosophy, photography, and poetry, which inspire creativity and reflective thinking in my work with horses and equine advocacy.