American dressage trainer and stallion owner Sue Curry of Fairwind farm in Santa Rosa, California, died unexpectedly on 25 April 2021. She was 67 years old.
Achievements
Born on 30 December 1953 in Ohio and raised in Pennsylvania, Sue bought her first horse, a paint named Ranger for $300 with her own money when she was barely 13 and then worked at the barn to pay his board. She rode during college at Lake Erie, where she “fell in love with dressage,” got her degree in equine studies, and had her own horse business in Colorado at 22.
For over 20 years she competed at FEI level and has had multiple horses in the top ten nationally. She rode at West Hampden stables in Colorado in the 1970s and The Capricorn Farm in 1980s.
In 1985, Curry and Orpheus, who was sponsored for her by Jody Ambrose's family, were number 1 in the U.S. Dressage Federation rankings at Prix-St.-Georges, and long listed for the World Championships and Olympics.
She was an USEF S dressage judge, an FEI 3* Para judge, and an assistant director for the USEF Para Equestrian Forum at the Dressage Affaire in Del Mar, where she served as commentator. She was the northern regional director of the California Dressage Society.
Fairwind Farms
In 1992 Sue and her husband Dyke Schaffer moved to California to start a new business with 9 horses. They founded Fairwind Farm in 1999.
Over the course of a decade, importing horses from Germany and growing her breeding operation, 40 horses, including several historic stallions, delivered more than 40 foals.
She hosted many inspections at Fairwind Farm, thus facilitating the breeding and approval of American-bred Oldenburgs.
She also trained numerous students to USDF gold, silver and bronze medals.
Donnerschlag
Curry was also a successful Oldenburg horse breeder.
In 2000 she imported the Oldenburg licensed stallion Donnerschlag (by Donnerhall x Pik König x Frustra II x Domspatz)
Donnerschlag spent his retirement at Fairwind Farm until his death in 2018 at age 31.
Untimely Death
Curry passed away in her sleep of a presumed heart attack. The day before her passing she was coaching students at the Woodbridge dressage show and judging in a virtual online show.
Sue leaves a big void in the American dressage community. She was known for her empathic and positive approach and brought the best out in riders and horses. "Her kindness and generosity of spirit have touched all of us," said retired international dressage judge Axel Steiner. "I have known her for 40 plus years and she will leave a big hole in my heart and the dressage community."
Sue leaves behind her husband Dyke and daughter Megan Salkin.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday 19 June 2021, 11AM at Fairwind Farm in the indoor arena.
Related Links
Donnerschlag Passed Away
Eight Recipients for 2014 Carol Lavell Gifted Memorial Fund for Adult Amateur Riders