Having spent many years competing and eventing up to Gr 1, I decided
that my next challenge would be starting my young warmblood myself, which I have
really enjoyed even though there were a few hiccups along the way. I decided
that what I needed next with my young horse was some ‘heavy’ dressage
direction.
So, I chose Sue Chandler. I have been training with Sue for the past 4 months which has been fantastic. The difference each session has made to my horse is visibly noticeable. Sue is not shy about riding my horse and showing me exactly how to achieve certain goals. I love hopping on him after she has ridden him because he is so soft and supple and in a lovely frame of mind. She has given me direction and understanding with my training and the results are amazing.
Sue’s genuine and down to earth personality instantly gives you hope, encouragement and trust. I never feel pressured with her, just informed. I would always recommend riding and training with Sue no matter what level you wish to achieve.
Bonnie McIver
So, I chose Sue Chandler. I have been training with Sue for the past 4 months which has been fantastic. The difference each session has made to my horse is visibly noticeable. Sue is not shy about riding my horse and showing me exactly how to achieve certain goals. I love hopping on him after she has ridden him because he is so soft and supple and in a lovely frame of mind. She has given me direction and understanding with my training and the results are amazing.
Sue’s genuine and down to earth personality instantly gives you hope, encouragement and trust. I never feel pressured with her, just informed. I would always recommend riding and training with Sue no matter what level you wish to achieve.
Bonnie McIver
When Sue Chandler lived in Tasmania for some years in the early and mid 1990's, she was recommended to me as an instructor by Susie Barnett, now Susie Hoevenaars. I was a late starter to dressage, having competed initially in one day events and show jumping on my part Arab Galloway that I'd owned since he was a green 4 year old.
When I first started having lessons with Sue, once or twice a week, my horse was 13 and had 23 grading points (old grading scale). By 1993 he had 83 grading points and we were starting to compete at Advanced level. Sue gave me the confidence to attempt movements I'd never dreamed I would be able to achieve - flying changes, half passes, half canter pirouettes. We discovered that we enjoyed doing freestyles, first at Novice/Elementary level and then at Medium/Advanced level; Sue helped me to develop them and then to fit the movements and the music
together.
In 1993, when we were competing at Elementary level, my horse was chosen to participate in the famous Hagley House Challenge at the State Dressage Championships. He was drawn by Libby Sauer, who rode him to second place behind Judy Peel's horse. Libby had nothing but praise for his rideability and schooling.
When Tasmania reformed their Dressage Squad, coached by Judy Peel and Sue Chandler in the mid 1990's, my horse and I were members at
Medium level. We competed at Medium and Advanced level, always in the placing's, until I retired him from competition in 1997.
I firmly believe that I would never have achieved so much with this horse if it hadn't been for Sue's inspiring teaching. She was helpful, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, able to explain things without blinding her students with science!, and more than capable of practicing what she
preached. Her decision to return to Victoria was a disappointment to many Tasmanian riders, but we look forward to her all too infrequent clinics here in the future.
Maggie Farquhar
When I first started having lessons with Sue, once or twice a week, my horse was 13 and had 23 grading points (old grading scale). By 1993 he had 83 grading points and we were starting to compete at Advanced level. Sue gave me the confidence to attempt movements I'd never dreamed I would be able to achieve - flying changes, half passes, half canter pirouettes. We discovered that we enjoyed doing freestyles, first at Novice/Elementary level and then at Medium/Advanced level; Sue helped me to develop them and then to fit the movements and the music
together.
In 1993, when we were competing at Elementary level, my horse was chosen to participate in the famous Hagley House Challenge at the State Dressage Championships. He was drawn by Libby Sauer, who rode him to second place behind Judy Peel's horse. Libby had nothing but praise for his rideability and schooling.
When Tasmania reformed their Dressage Squad, coached by Judy Peel and Sue Chandler in the mid 1990's, my horse and I were members at
Medium level. We competed at Medium and Advanced level, always in the placing's, until I retired him from competition in 1997.
I firmly believe that I would never have achieved so much with this horse if it hadn't been for Sue's inspiring teaching. She was helpful, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, able to explain things without blinding her students with science!, and more than capable of practicing what she
preached. Her decision to return to Victoria was a disappointment to many Tasmanian riders, but we look forward to her all too infrequent clinics here in the future.
Maggie Farquhar
" We first met Sue when she was the General Manager/Level 3 Instructor at Oakwood Riding School. Some years ago, Sue watched us struggling with our young daughter and her very green and at times, dangerous pony. At that point, Sue stepped in and became Maddi’s
Coach. Sue has now worked with Maddi and her little pony for over 2 years and today we have a serious up and coming competition pony and a 10 year old rider who rides well beyond her years.
Sue has a way of challenging her students, while still making it an enjoyable and fun experience. She places a great deal of importance on safety and getting the basics right before moving on to more advanced techniques. Sue’s ability to read horses and develop riders is both admirable and commendable "
Nicci Growcott
Over the last five years I have had a regular fortnightly dressage lesson with Sue Chandler. During that period I have experienced a dramatic improvement in my competitive results. While my Thoroughbred is of modest ability Sue has supported us to rise from Novice to achieve placings at Advanced level. We now comfortably work on several FEI movements. I progressed little for many years prior to joining Sue, so this period with her is clearly defined as quantum leap for me and my horse. Our improvement has not come via a fat cheque book. Sue has been happy to work with the horse I had and encouraged me to believe in his ability. On the matter of horses I am pleased to say that Sue is a pure teacher who in no way complicates teacher/student relationships with horse deals.
As a school teacher myself, I am impressed by the preparation that goes into Sue’s teaching sessions. Like all of us who have lessons from so many different local and international instructors, I am at times disappointed that many instructors are comfortable to simply address what they see in front of them at that moment, rather than teach with a progressive plan in mind. Sue on the other hand, has imbedded the Training Scale in the forefront of my mind, so that all of the work we do now and what we have planned for the future, seems so logical.
Sue is a true teacher who approaches all aspects of the craft of teaching with professionalism. She is very well organised, is thoroughly reliable, has an excellent presence and communicates clearly. She is persistent and tenacious in pursuit of the student’s wisdom. Like all good teachers Sue addresses the psychological issues that confront many riders. She is particularly keen to encourage her students to compete with a positive frame of mind, in order to learn the skills of test riding.
Sue is especially conscious of her professional responsibility to set an example of safety for horse and rider. All aspects of safe horse management are exemplified and taught. Leading, loading, lunging and all manner of arena manners are strictly adhered to. I have not found a more complete Dressage Instructor than Sue Chandler and unhesitatingly recommend her.
Michael
Bragge
President, Berwick and district
Dressage Club inc.
08/06/05
As a school teacher myself, I am impressed by the preparation that goes into Sue’s teaching sessions. Like all of us who have lessons from so many different local and international instructors, I am at times disappointed that many instructors are comfortable to simply address what they see in front of them at that moment, rather than teach with a progressive plan in mind. Sue on the other hand, has imbedded the Training Scale in the forefront of my mind, so that all of the work we do now and what we have planned for the future, seems so logical.
Sue is a true teacher who approaches all aspects of the craft of teaching with professionalism. She is very well organised, is thoroughly reliable, has an excellent presence and communicates clearly. She is persistent and tenacious in pursuit of the student’s wisdom. Like all good teachers Sue addresses the psychological issues that confront many riders. She is particularly keen to encourage her students to compete with a positive frame of mind, in order to learn the skills of test riding.
Sue is especially conscious of her professional responsibility to set an example of safety for horse and rider. All aspects of safe horse management are exemplified and taught. Leading, loading, lunging and all manner of arena manners are strictly adhered to. I have not found a more complete Dressage Instructor than Sue Chandler and unhesitatingly recommend her.
Michael
Bragge
President, Berwick and district
Dressage Club inc.
08/06/05
Subsequent to this testimonial from 2005 I have continued to train with Sue Chandler on a regular basis. The T/B horse I mentioned back
then, went on to establish himself at Prix St Georges. We had lots of fun at this level before he retired.
Sue has guided me through the development of two young Warmbloods in recent years. Her absolute insistence on the pre-eminence of “The Training Scale” has been invaluable.
Differentiation between the needs of each student is the defining quality of contemporary education. Sue can be seen teaching a 12 year old with a young pony with same enthusiasm as she instructs an experienced adult on an advanced horse.
I couldn’t recommend anybody with more confidence than Sue Chandler as a riding instructor.
Michael Bragge
Chair,
Dressage Victoria
then, went on to establish himself at Prix St Georges. We had lots of fun at this level before he retired.
Sue has guided me through the development of two young Warmbloods in recent years. Her absolute insistence on the pre-eminence of “The Training Scale” has been invaluable.
Differentiation between the needs of each student is the defining quality of contemporary education. Sue can be seen teaching a 12 year old with a young pony with same enthusiasm as she instructs an experienced adult on an advanced horse.
I couldn’t recommend anybody with more confidence than Sue Chandler as a riding instructor.
Michael Bragge
Chair,
Dressage Victoria
I first met
Sue Chandler 35 years ago at the AEA in Geelong. My first impression of
Sue was one that has never altered, that of an extremely dedicated, passionate
individual who remains unwavering in her quest to understand and practice the
finer detail of the equestrian art.
Throughout the years, in this most difficult profession, Sue has grown to be widely respected and admired by the industry, achieving top qualifications, representing and managing numerous Equestrian associations and facilities. She is naturally gifted, possessing an innate ability to connect with a horse and rider combination, recognising problems before they occur to achieve amazing results. Her methods are exacting and precise with an unsurpassed attention to detail. In an age where we see riders pursuing a ‘fast track’ to success, missing vital elements in training, Sue remains dedicated to the true and correct methods, producing outstanding results .
I have watched Sue work with many riders over the years, from the young to the experienced and have always been in awe of her uncanny ability to connect with any given combination, resulting in very happy riders who feel enlightened and inspired, myself very much included. She is dedicated and tireless in her quest to help, improve and inspire.
A former FEI rider herself, her competition horses are testament to her own exceptional riding ability.
Sue Chandler is undoubtedly one of Australia’s finest coaches, her experience is unrivalled and well proven, she is indeed a credit and much needed mentor in our equestrian field.
Mandy Dunstan
‘Eaglebank’
Throughout the years, in this most difficult profession, Sue has grown to be widely respected and admired by the industry, achieving top qualifications, representing and managing numerous Equestrian associations and facilities. She is naturally gifted, possessing an innate ability to connect with a horse and rider combination, recognising problems before they occur to achieve amazing results. Her methods are exacting and precise with an unsurpassed attention to detail. In an age where we see riders pursuing a ‘fast track’ to success, missing vital elements in training, Sue remains dedicated to the true and correct methods, producing outstanding results .
I have watched Sue work with many riders over the years, from the young to the experienced and have always been in awe of her uncanny ability to connect with any given combination, resulting in very happy riders who feel enlightened and inspired, myself very much included. She is dedicated and tireless in her quest to help, improve and inspire.
A former FEI rider herself, her competition horses are testament to her own exceptional riding ability.
Sue Chandler is undoubtedly one of Australia’s finest coaches, her experience is unrivalled and well proven, she is indeed a credit and much needed mentor in our equestrian field.
Mandy Dunstan
‘Eaglebank’