d 5Q Phelps

DRESSAGE
Five Questions for Suzanne Dansby-Phelps

Suzanne Dansby-Phelps
Photo by Susan Stickle

Suzanne Dansby Phelps is based in Atlanta at her dressage training facility, Dancing Horse Farm. Like many competitive FEI dressage riders, Suzanne winters in Wellington, Florida and most recently has spent her summers training in Europe. Suzanne has earned her USDF Silver and Gold Medals and has been long or short listed for the USET dressage team for the past seven years. In 2006, after a top 6 finish at Gladstone, she was selected as a US team alternate in Germany for the World Equestrian Games. Suzanne, a mother of two, gives a great deal of her time and resources to charity.

Sidelines: How did you get started in Dressage?

SDP: In 1984, while living in Detroit, I decided to return to riding after several years off and fell in love with dressage. Then, I began training at Shine-A-Bit Farm with Chuck Grant in Brighton, Michigan. In 1985, a client of Kathy Connelly’s had a 16 year-old schoolmaster for sale that Mr. Grant had trained. With his encouragement, I purchased Mountain Dancer (aka Prussian Gold), the best move to date for my education in dressage.

Sidelines: What was the highlight of your competitive career and what are your goals for 2008?

SDP: The most defining moment occurred at Devon in 2004 when Cooper and I were exiting the arena after an electric, misty, night time, grand prix musical freestyle ride. As the score appeared on the scoreboard, the entire crowd booed! It was unanimous to them that the judges underscored our ride! It was at that moment that I realized I was not doing this all alone, that there is all of this support "out there" from our fans and our friends. Until that night, I had no idea of the support we riders and competitors receive from them! Thanks to all of you "out there!"

Sidelines: Tell us about you amazing grand prix partner, Cooper, what is like training and competing him?

SDP: Cooper is an anomaly. First of all, his size is against all odds in his making it as an international-quality dressage horse. His disposition, talent, and most of all, his willingness to perform beat these odds. Cooper is a blast to ride! He loves to go forward, and probably could have been a race horse in his former life, because his favorite thing to do is to gallop! Luckily, he has the ability to channel that energy into beautiful, artistic expression. He really enjoys performing and is exceptionally concentrated when in the show arena, under all conditions.

Sidelines: Who are your role models?

SDP: Chuck Grant, my first dressage trainer, exemplified horsemanship in all aspects. He made sure that we students understood that we, as riders make most of the mistakes, and rarely the horses. Other role models include my grandmother, who bore five children in a one-bedroom farmhouse in central Alabama and worked throughout her life. She was a devoted Christian and arose at 5 o’clock each morning to cook hot meals for her family before going to work at her florist shop. I also admire former vice-chancellor of The University of the South, Bob Ayres, who is a successful and ethical business man, a great leader, and always listened to the students. I also have to throw in Joe Fargis’s name, too. He has no idea, but for a very long time, I’ve been observing the example he sets. He has devotedly served as a great mentor and trainer to his students, clients and to the entire horse community over the years.

Sidelines: You are known as a great contributor to charity. What prompted you to donate your winnings to charity and do you think other riders will follow your example?

SDP: My mother’s side of the family has always been philanthropic, involved in giving back to the community. I have either served on foundation or non-profit boards all of my adult life, and contributed either as a volunteer or monetarily. At the moment, I have pledges made to several charities over the next five years. So, after winning money at the shows on a more consistent basis, it occurred to me that I should give that money back to the local charities where the shows take place, or to the charities some of the shows help raise funds for, like Devon, which raises money for Thorncroft, a therapeutic riding center. And, yes, I surely hope and encourage other riders to follow suit! Already, Nancy Later gave her prize money from the February Wellington dressage show to the Wellington chapter of the Lymphoma/Leukemia Society and requested others to match her grant, which she said they did.