Getting to know our MQHA Leadership: Susan Dudley
WHAT IS YOUR NAME? Susan Gail Dudley
WHAT OFFICER POSITION ARE YOU HOLDING THIS YEAR? Treasurer
WHERE ARE YOU FROM? Columbia, Mo
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY-I am married to Jim Dudley, his daughter Shannon (married to Jason) loves to show with us and often brings our grandson Calvin. Hopefully our granddaughter Parker will be joining us soon. My parents and sister live in Missouri and are not horse people. Not sure where my horse gene came from, maybe I’m adopted???
WHAT GOT YOU INVOLVED IN HORSES AND FOR HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED? I bought my first horse when I was in 5th grade, I paid $200 for a saddle at an auction. The saddle cost more that my 2 year old, green broke gelding. My parents are not horse people, so they thought I had really found a good deal on the horse. Needless to say, I learned quite and bit about what not to do, thankfully this gelding was very kind and forgiving.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLASS TO SHOW IN OR WATCH? Ranch riding and Reining are my favorite to watch as well as show in.
DESCRIBE YOUR BEST HORSE SHOW MEMORY- We have had so many good times at horse shows with our barn family and horse show friends, it is difficult to pick just one.
WHAT ENERGIZES YOU AND DRAINS YOU AT HORSE SHOWS? Great classes with lots of talented riders energizes me, it makes me focus and step up my game.
WHO IS YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE HORSE? Smart Norma Jean….she is just the best. She will give you 110% each time.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT MQHA? The people, I feel that MQHA is a great group of people to work with. Everyone wants to have a good time and enjoy the horse show. We support each other and it is always fun!
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT AT A HORSE SHOW? Spring is breeding season, so I am ultra-sounding mares, then I mow our lawn, wait a few days and mow again. I think I am now the official grounds keeper of Jim Dudley Quarter Horses.
WHAT IS YOUR REAL JOB, OUTSIDE OF MQHA? I am a retired High School/Middle School Principal, so you would think that retirement would consist of a nice slow-paced day. I am now the “Breeding Manager” of Jim Dudley Quarter Horses, which actually means I do a lot of the ultra-sounding/breeding of our horses, with the help of Dr. Sawyer Shattuck. This day starts before the beginning bell of school and ends at random times. It is not climate controlled either. Its REAL, but not a job. I enjoy the challenge of breeding/foaling.
ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Neither, according to my husband, but I used to be a morning person. I guess morning can be different times at different parts of your life.
DO YOU USUALLY ARRIVE EARLY OR LATE? Early if I am by myself, usually late if Jim needs to ride one more horse.
ON FRIDAY NIGHT…WOULD YOU RATHER GO OUT OR STAY IN? We try to do date nights on Friday when we are both home, we pick a different restaurant most times.
WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS FOR TURNING A BAY DAY INTO A GOOD ONE? My new saying is “Own It’…if it’s a bad day…”own it’ and you can change it. Look for the positive, there is always something good to focus on. I might try 25 times to “stop” (slide) a horse, might work or might not, but I can change a lead. So, if stops are not going well, do something positive and try stopping another day.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER? I always wanted to be a veterinarian, but I struggled in Chemistry. So, fast forward several years, I am doing most the breeding work for Jim Dudley Quarter Horses. There is a steep learning curve, but I love it.
NAME ONE THING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST? So the story goes, my husband took me to the Swiss Alps skiing on our honeymoon. I had never snow skied before. You can imagine how that tuned out. So, learning to snow ski and someday going back to Switzerland is on my bucket list. This past winter I was able to ski in Minneapolis with Shannon. Shannon helped me a bunch. Maybe a few more times in Minneapolis and I will be ready to go back to Switzerland.
LAST MOVIE YOU SAW? Hustle, on Netflix. It was great!
LAST BOOK YOU READ? Sooley by John Grisham
FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? I love basketball, all levels.
FAVORITE TEAM? Duke – always a Coach K fan, Tennessee Lady Vols with Pat Summitt. Both have retired so no big favorites as of now.
FAVORITE RESTAURANT? Sushi, Jim was the first person to take me to a Sushi restaurant and I love it. It is also the name of my new horse, she’s by Sushi Boss.
FAVORITE FOOD? Queso, who doesn’t love chips and dip
FAVORITE QUOTE? “Well shit, that didn’t’ work” – Jim Dudley
