Our Graduates

Our Graduates... Where are they now?

We are so proud of the students who have made their way through our program. Some have gone on to be professional riders, others to top schools, some abroad to follow a dream. Here are a few of our students, listed alphabetically. If you were a student, and would like to share your story, please Contact Us.

Sarah Estabrook

Student at Cornell Law School:

When I first came to Cairn O Mount, I was a nervous, unpolished rider with a passion for horses and not much else. By the time I left for college I had competed in a few events and could jump around courses with confidence. Susie, Chris, and the rest of the wonderful trainers helped me through my fears by giving me solid skills and tools to accomplish my goals. They also introduced me to my horse of a lifetime, Dave, the chestnut Canadian TB I leased for years and continued to visit until he passed away last spring. Sadly, riding has been hard to fit into my schedule now that I attend Cornell Law School. Thankfully, the lessons I learned and the confidence this stable instilled in me has not gone away. When I was cold-called for the first time I was terrified, but rather than panic and overact I thought about the first time I jumped around a cross country course. My first few times has not gone so well until I learned to control my breathing in the start box and trust my skills. So in class I took a deep breath, trusted my skills, and spoke. Thank you Susie, Chris, and all the other wonderful people I met through COM for believing in me. And of course, thank you to Dave for carrying me as I learned to be a better rider and a more confident person.

Molly Laird

Business Owner, Professional Horse Person:

I consider my years spent at Cairn O'Mount as some of my most formative years. The skills and knowledge developed there have directly shaped me into the horsewoman that I am today. What started 20 years ago as me working in the barn every Saturday in order to work off my lessons, has now led to me filling positions as lesson instructor, camp counselor, barn manager, and eventually branching off and running my own local training business.

The education I received while there has been paramount to me running a successful business, as well as achieving my own training goals with my own horse.

Caitrin Lowndes

Veterinary Student at University College of Dublin (Ireland):

My name is Caitrin Lowndes and I am a first year veterinary medicine student at University College Dublin in Ireland. I started riding with Susie after taking a particularly bad fall which severely knocked my confidence. I spent three years with Susie and thanks to her wonderful lesson program, her exemplary teaching staff, and, in no small part, Monty (everyone’s favourite cranky chestnut), I was able to slowly regain my confidence. I eventually was able to lease my beautiful, if slightly temperamental, paint mare, Alpine, and compete up through beginner novice. Towards the end of my time with Susie I was able to do a month of work experience in the barn in preparation for vet school. It was during this time that I got my acceptance to UCD and I will always remember Susie’s reaction. She was very nearly as proud as my parents and spent the following week’s asking everyone if they had heard I had got into vet school, or if she was introducing me to someone she would say “This is Caiti Lowndes, she’s going to vet school in Ireland”. Since starting university I have kept up riding and have joined to vet equestrian society. Everything I have learnt from Susie remains with me, especially when out x-country, where I can still hear her voice in my head shouting at me to sit back and let go with my hands on the approach to every jumps.

Anna Semler

Student at Cornell University:

My name is Anna Semler, and I am a freshman in the class of 2019 at Cornell University. I am currently riding on the Cornell Club Dressage Team and competing in shows in and around New York state. I am pursuing a bachelor of science in the Government department with a minor in International Relations. Though I only rode at Cairn O’Mount stables for three years before leaving for college, I learned the true value of hard work. Sure, having decent motor skills, knowing left versus right, and taking direction are valuable, but natural talent only gets you so far. Accomplishment is won through discipline, and this drive to succeed, the same that motivates all of Susie’s students to do the best work that they can do, is built from the saddle up. My desire to progress pervades every aspect of my life, and it was rewarded through good grades in school as well as clear jumping rounds and accurate dressage tests. Riding with the Cairn O’Mount team was one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. The commitment of my barn friends, the supportive parents, the barn staff, and, of course, Susie Beale, to the sport and to the team astounded and inspired me daily. I am so grateful to have been able to work with everyone at Cairn O’Mount, and I know that the skills instilled in me at the barn will stick with me throughout my life. Thank you!

Caitlin Silliman

Four Star Event Rider and Professional Horse Person:

Caitlin Silliman began riding on her 6th birthday after receiving the gift of riding lessons where she began instruction with Susie Beale. Susie aided in Caitlin’s riding education and development and in 2006, Caitlin was a member of the Area II NAYRC team, winning individual and team Bronze medals. Caitlin continued to ride with Susie for a number of years, competing through the CCI2* level. Caitlin went on to be a part of Boyd and Silva Martin's Windurra USA. In April of 2013, Caitlin and Hoku completed their first CCI4* at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Caitlin was just 23 years old. Caitlin has since been named to the USEF Developing Riders List, and has achieved several other notable accolades for her riding talent and horsemanship. In September of 2015, Caitlin left her position with Boyd and Silva at Windurra USA to strike out on her own. She now bases her own riding and training business, Silliman Eventing, out of Tivoli Farm in Gordonsville, Virginia. Caitlin currently rides a number of horses for various owners, specializing in developing young horses and instilling sound fundamentals for success. For more information about Caitlin, visit her website at http://sillimaneventing.com/.

Kendra Smedley-Adey

Orthodontist at Smedley Orthodontics

I rode with Susie for 12 years, from the age of 8 to 20. I was one of those kids who wanted to spend all day, everyday at the barn. It was my second home and my best friends were the girls I rode with. I owned two horses throughout the years, Custom Jewel and the infamous Dave, who stayed on as a staple at Cairn O’Mount long after I had moved on to college and dental school. I reflect very fondly on my time spent at the barn under Susie’s guidance. Susie instilled a hard work ethic in us, expecting us to chip in with the daily barn duties, and we learned the value of determination and perseverance in our riding. She allowed us the independence, when appropriate, to explore our love for horses and have fun with riding while still maintaining a very effective and disciplined training program. Her students’ success in eventing speaks for itself. The determination I had when on a horse as a child and young adult has followed me through many aspects of my personal life and career. I hope to one day share my passion with one or both of my children as they grow. Susie is a wonderful role model who is extremely dedicated to her students and to this day, I have a complete and utter of respect for her and her program.