Staff

With 40 plus years of riding and competing under her belt, Suzanne has gained a broad range of experience.

Born into a Horse Racing family (Landy Stables of Chicago, Illinois), Suzanne’s first experience on a horse was at about 18 months of age when her father put her on a horse in the Winners’ Circle at Arlington Park Race Rack. That was it! All she could talk about was horses from that point on.

After years of pony rides, lessons began at Blue Ribbon Stables. Later, Suzanne became a member of the Wayne-DuPage Hunt Pony Club and the Wayne DuPage Hunt where she got her first taste of true horsemanship.

As a junior rider, Suzanne competed all over Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri, and East Coast.

Over the years, Suzanne has had some amazing trainers who have influenced her education and have inspired her. Working with the likes of Tommy MacIntyre, Janet Christie, Charles McDaniel, Colonel John Russell and Richard Zimmerman on a regular basis have shaped her as a rider and competitor. Clinics have also been an important experience. Over the years, Suzanne has participated in Jumping and Equitation clinics with Conrad Homfeld, Michael Matz, Kip Rosenthal, and Jane Healey. Suzanne encourages her students to participate in clinics regularly. Plans are in the works for a Jumping Clinic with FEI level Show Jumper Ragan Roberts.

In 1975, Suzanne began studying Dressage at Lamplight Equestrian Center and competed in a few shows. Today, she continues to study Dressage and frequently brings FEI Level Clinicians to Bel Canto. Most recently, Bel Canto has hosted Ms. Andrea Curlook from Toronto Canada and Reinhard A. Dorsch from San Antonio. Suzanne believes that the best trainers continue to learn, study, and share their knowledge with their students.

Suzanne Has competed on the THJA “A” Circuit since about 1984. Since 2000, she has proudly served on the THJA Board of Directors.

Suzanne has been teaching since 1977. As an advanced Pony Clubber in Illinois,
Part of her learning experiences included working with handicapped and disabled riders in the area. Since then, she has volunteered with Special Olympics both in Illinois and in Texas.

In addition to riding, Suzanne has a career in Advertising and Marketing. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer, Marathon Coach, and musician. Suzanne can be heard playing Chamber Music with her quartet The Dripping Strings and with The Starlight Symphony Orchestra in Wimberley, Texas.

Senja Stevig recently joined the staff at Bel Canto and brings a wealth of hunter, jumper and dressage experience to the farm. Before joining BCF, Senja worked for Switch Willo Stables as a trainer and barn manager for 5 years. Senja coached all levels of riders, from beginner to advanced, with a focus on personal growth, achievement of competitive goals and enjoyment of the sport. While at SWS, she developed and integrated a flat work program to support the existing jumping program. Senja also trained a wide variety of horses to prepare for excellence in the show ring. She coached and competed extensively on the local Centex show circuit, where she and her partner Conte were 2009 Champions in the Open Hunter division and 2008 Reserve Champions in the Intermediate Hunter Division.

Prior to moving to Austin, TX, Senja lived in San Francisco, CA, where she was Director of Human Resources for Macy's Department stores for 10 years. During her career in the corporate world, she rode and taught dressage part time for Caroline Nurenburg at various dressage facilities in the Bay Area. Senja was a working student for Laurie Fieger at Sporting Life Farm (hunters and jumpers) in Santa Barbara, CA during her education at UCSB, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology. Before going to college, she was also a working student for Madeline Sarafian (formerly from Flintridege) at Los Osos Valley Equine Farm and USDF gold medalist Barbi Breen-Gurley at Sea Horse Ranch. Farms.