Susan E. Harris is an
international clinician, riding teacher, equestrian author and artist from
Cortland, New York. She has taught all seats and styles of riding, and has
trained, shown, and prepared horses and riders for competition in many
equestrian disciplines, including hunters, jumpers, dressage, equitation,
eventing, western pleasure and performance, saddle seat, and the pleasure
and versatility breeds. Susan directed 5-H Acres School of Horsemanship, a nationally accredited riding
instructor school for 10 years, taught college equine studies and physical
education equitation courses, and has been active in training and
establishing certification standards for American riding instructors since
the l970's. In 2004 she was honored as a Master Instructor by the American
Riding Instructor Association, and she serves on the ARIA's Examining Panel.
A Senior
Centered Riding Instructor and
Clinician, Susan apprenticed with Sally Swift, the founder of Centered
Riding®. She teaches clinics in Centered Riding and in Horse Gaits, Balance,
and Movement for instructors, trainers, judges, and riders of all levels and
riding interests. Susan's demonstrations, "Anatomy in Motion™:
The Visible Horse", in which
she paints the bones and muscles on a live horse, and "Anatomy in Motion:
The Visible Rider™" have been popular attractions at equine expos and
clinics across North America and around the world, including EquineAffaire, Equitana USA,
Equitana Australia, the American Quarter Horse Congress, and others.
Susan Harris is the
author and illustrator of popular horse books, including
Horsemanship in Pictures, Horse Gaits, Balance, and Movement, Grooming to
Win, the three U.S. Pony Club Manuals of Horsemanship, and the
USPC Guides to Longeing, Bandaging, and Conformation. With Peggy Brown,
she has produced two videos: Anatomy in Motion™ I :
The Visible Horse,
and Anatomy in Motion II:
The Visible Rider™.
Susan also designed the art and poster for the Breyer Anatomy in Motion
model horse.
Susan's study of
equine and human anatomy and movement as an artist as well as an
instructor, rider and trainer, has given her a unique perspective on how
horses and riders balance and move together. Centered Riding techniques can help riders discover
how to use their bodies better for improved balance and harmony
between horse and rider. Susan's knowledge of horse gaits and movement
and wide experience in various breeds and disciplines enable her to help all
kinds of riders and horses improve their balance, comfort, movement and
performance. Her friendly and positive teaching style and visual approach
help to make learning clear, understandable, and enjoyable for English and
Western riders of all ages and levels, from 4-H, Pony Club and pleasure
riders to instructors, trainers, and competitors. When not traveling,
teaching or writing, Susan enjoys dressage, jumping, and trail riding.