Serious dressage and serious fun go hand in hand at Susann Regalmuto Dressage. Based at Encore Ranch in the heart of the Temecula wine country, German born and trained Susann lives very happily in two worlds. One weekend she may be campaigning in Grand Prix dressage and the next, showing off an already showy steed in the costume classes found on the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Assn. series of competitions. She loves the fact that her success on both circuits has enabled her students to pursue similar double lives at their own levels.
True to her rigorous equestrian upbringing in Germany, Susann is a firm believer in that country’s training scale. “I would never take my horse in any kind of competition without it,” she says. “But there is no reason we can’t have some fun, too!”
She has lived in California for nearly 10 years and now has a steady clientele whose horses are an even mix of Warmbloods and the Baroque breeds: Andalusians, Lusitano, Friesians and even the rare Knabstrupper horses. (See story, page 34.)
Since getting the chance to compete an Andalusian on the IALHA circuit a few years ago, Susann has become very impressed with the minds of these horses. IALHA shows feature many disciplines, from in-hand halter competitions to driving, dressage, hunter classes and much more. “Most of the male horses are stallions and when you see how well they deal with a lot of different activity in the warm-up ring, you see how well behaved most of them are,” Susann observes.
Susann began riding under classical master Egon von Neindorff, then went on to earn her “reiterbzeichens,” bronze and, later, silver certifications that enabled her to compete in both disciplines up through the highest levels in Europe. She moved to Maui in 1995 and became a founding member of the Hawaii Dressage Society. There, she orchestrated clinics with such luminaries as Lilo Fore and Max Gahwyler. Susann came to California in 1999 and has continued her own education as a trainer and to help others learn and advance through ongoing work with the CDS Temecula chapter.
Kathleen Raine, Steffen Peters and Jutta Schott are among her mentors. Susann’s commitment to continuing her own dressage education and that of her students is reflected in her USDF instructor’s certification and her active membership in the California Assn. of Professional Trainers and Instructors.
Professional successes include USDF bronze and silver medals and taking Candescence, an Andalusian/Thoroughbred cross to the USEF’s Horse of the Year standings in 2007. Simultaneously, she has become a shining star in the IALHA galaxy. She earned her way to the circuit’s national championships the last two years with big wins in the regional competitions. She took Candescence to the national title in English Pleasure Hunt Seat Open both years, and reserve champion in the English Show Hack in 2007, in the half-Andalusian divisions. Against tough competition, the pair made the top five in the Nationals’ Costume class. As versatile as his trainer, Candescence also achieved success in the lower dressage levels at Open shows.
A Keen Eye
Susann’s diverse and extensive experience enables her to identify which horses in the Baroque breeds will be good prospects for dressage. She is excited about their suitability as amateur mounts and she notes that select representatives of these breeds can go much higher in dressage competition.
“The Warmbloods are usually unbeatable in the Grand Prix when it comes to international competition and there are some Andalusians and Lusitanos that are capable of being competitive at that level,” Susann comments. For amateurs, these breeds have temperaments and trainability that is hard to beat, and their gaits are extremely comfortable and easy to sit.
A cross between a Warmblood and an Andalusian or a Lusitano could be the perfect amateur dressage mount, Susann notes. “You’d get the best of both worlds: a more squarely-proportioned horse, which is easier to put together than a lengthy horse.”
As is true of any breed, some Andalusians and Lusitanos are better suited for dressage than others. “You want a horse that is capable of doing the extended movements,” Susann explains. “And you want a horse that has a fairly good overstride in the walk.” With the breeds’ success in dressage, more breeders are producing horses for the discipline. In addition to their good physical and mental characteristics, these breeds have that appealing “X” factor. “These horses have a tremendous amount of presence,” she adds.
That presence makes them perfect mounts for a side-interest of Susann’s: Renaissance Fairs and other exhibitions that require beautiful horses and dramatic costumes. Her husband once owned a jousting company and works in the field that produces such events. “I like to show in general,” says Susann. “Whether it’s a normal dressage show or a competition on the Andalusian circuit, I like to break it up a little!”
Susann lives with her husband in the Los Angeles area and commutes to Temecula, where her horses and students are. She loves being able to keep her horses outside at Encore Ranch and has found it tough to replicate the quiet stable’s attributes closer to her home. She travels frequently to give clinics and is a regular on the show circuits throughout Southern California.
With classical dressage training as her base in training any horse and rider, Susann is poised to provide students with the foundation to achieve their equestrian dreams, as conservative or wild as they may be.
For more information on Susann Regalmuto Dressage, visit www.susannregalmuto.com or call 951-515-7133.
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