Suzanne Stafford
Born: January 22, 1977
Hometown: Glenn Gardner, NJ
Courage to Lead
— 1997 Morgan mare;
owned by Beverly Lesher
An assistant trainer and instructor by profession, Suzy Stafford began her equestrian career in 1991 at age 14. In 1992 she was the Pony Club Show Jumping National Winner, and competed in the 1993 USPC Nationals in Eventing.
During the 2004 competition year, Stafford and her long-time partner Courage to Lead
(Katy), went undefeated and were named the 2004 National Single Pony Champions. In
2005 Stafford became the youngest and the first American driver to win an individual
Gold Medal in international competition, driving Sybil Humphry’s Welsh Cob Cefnoakpark Bouncer to first place at the World Pony Driving Championship in England.
Suzy Stafford and Katy on their way to winning the
2009 USEF National Single Pony Championship
Photo by Picsofyou.com
In 2007 Stafford was again chosen to represent the U.S. in the World Single Pony Championships held in Dorthelyst, Denmark. Stafford helped the U.S. team bring home a Bronze medal with Bouncer. Also in 2007, Stafford was awarded the coveted North American FEI Challenge Award with the help of a Morgan pony named “Ripley”.
Yet again in 2008 Stafford won the National Single Pony Championship with Katy; the
pair took home a blue ribbon at the Laurels at Landhope as well. In 2009, Stafford and Katy went on to represent the US at the World Pony Driving Championships in August in Germany earning an bronze medal. This pair finished off 2009 on a high note by claiming the USEF National Single Pony Driving Championship in October.
Courage to Lead is also a 2009 USEF Horse of Honor and is in the running to be voted the 2009 Farnam®/Platform™ - USEF Horse of the Year.
Suzy Stafford and Katy after winning the
2009 USEF National Single Pony Championship
Photo by Picsofyou.com
Before competing, Stafford can usually be found braiding the pony herself, an activity
that she says calms her.
She says the most influential people in her equestrian career are her mother and her
mentor, Lisa Singer.