Testimonials

"Highly recommended"

I have been riding for over 15 years and recently began a journey with a young OTTB named Funfetti!

Susan Gallagher of Gallagher Dressage was highly recommended by my dressage trainer for her experience and expertise in training specifically the OTTB to dressage. Funfetti's been in her care and training for almost a year now and she is a completely different horse. She’s developed muscle and strength while continuing to move forward with dressage training. Susan’s dedication to her master skill is nothing short of perfection. Her care, knowledge and expertise not only for the horses but to her facility and her clients is truly impeccable. I have watched her first hand go well above and beyond the expectations I could have imagined.

Susan has transitioned many of her own OTTBs to Grand Prix level which takes not only expertise but time and patience.
This has been the best situation we could have ever experienced while taking this journey as an older rider matched with a young horse! Susan’s lessons are providing the skill set needed to handle a young OTTB. Susan gets to know your horse personally and identifies all their needs for success while treating your horse like one of her own!

Susan has made such an impact on Funfetti’s training that we travel 1.5 hours each way to her barn for lessoning and training seasons. Thanks is never enough for the amazing hours and time you put into her training and the care of your clients. Susan Gallagher of Gallagher Dressage is simply the best and I only have the highest recommendations!

- Kim (owner of FunFetti)

"Truly amazing"

I am an older rider having come back to horses and riding after a 50 year hiatus. And I must say that I was extremely lucky to find Sue.

I had been struggling for a couple of years to find the right horse, the right trainer and the right environment. I wanted to be safe and valued while developing a loving relationship with my horse. I came to Sue with a beautiful young thoroughbred right off the track. He was too much for me and I was afraid to ride him. Sue recognized the problem immediately and helped me find a horse that I can trust and with whom I can build a loving relationship. I knew nothing about dressage but realized after watching Sue ride and talking with her that dressage is the style of riding that will meet all of my goals.

During my time with Sue I have recognized that she is truly amazing with respect to knowledge about horses, riding and teaching. She has trained a young thoroughbred up the levels to be a Grand Prix Champion. I personally watched her adopt a young, very green OTTB and train him to be competitive at the Prix St George and Intermediate I levels in two years with sights set on Grand Prix.

She recognizes each horse as an individual with a personality to match and knows how to work with them to bring out their best. She treats each horse in her barn as her own and adapts the training schedule around their individual quirks. She is working with a challenging sometimes unpredictable stallion and a very young totally green horse who didn’t have brakes when his training started. And she understands and is able to convince a moody mare that it’s in the mare’s best interest to train. I never worry about my horse at Sue’s barn. If I cannot be there to take care of my horse, I trust Sue to continue the training schedule so that my horse is ready for me when I return.

As with the horses in her care Sue is as open and flexible with her students. I have always felt valued with what I am able to bring to the ring. In each lesson Sue is able to zero in on my particular needs that day and works with me to adapt my riding so that I am more able to communicate with my horse. This is my goal in coming back to riding and Sue understands this and is willing to work with my limitations to help me grow. I cannot thank her enough! And she is quick to remind me that all riders are continually learning and working on the same things. She takes lessons to improve her riding and works daily with each horse to get better. I am amazed with her energy and her commitment to her horses and to me.

Thank you, Sue!!!
- Candy (owner of Harley)