"Florida's competitive dressage community has added a new member. Not surprisingly, Susanne Benne is quickly establishing herself here as a talented and highly capable trainer and rider.

Certainly, Germany's loss is now our gain. She epitomizes the techniques, understanding and ethics that come from a well grounded classical education. All this, combined with her extraordinary talent and warm, vivacious personality makes her a winning combination. She is talented, professional and personable. I would high recommend her to anyone looking for the best in the world of dressage."

Beverly Best

I grew up in a horse family that has bred and trained horses for three generations in Germany and began my dressage apprenticeship when I was 18, graduating from the course three years later.  This was followed by two years of practice under the Master Bertin Putter.  To achieve the "masters letter" in Germany after five years of apprenticeship and study, you have ten weeks of testing in the Masters School at Muenster.  I completed this Masters School as the youngest Master in Germany with the highest score which gave me the class' only Silver Medal- "The Stensbeck Award" in 1987.  I have instructed and shown successfully in Germany and now in the  USA, as well.

In the years 1990 - 1994 I worked as Manager  and Head Trainer in the Dressage stable Gut Haidehof in Hamburg (Germany).  1994 - 1998 I worked in the Reit u. Fahrverein Braunschweig as a Manager and Head Trainer, stabling 80 Dressage horses.

My achievements include multiple state, regional and county Championships.

Following are some of my awards:
3 times qualified and rode in the German Championships
Produced the "Horse of the Year" "Bailey" (Batido/Bolero/Lady Killer),
owned by Liz Ohmstead
in 3 year old Under Saddle Class,
First in the Materiale Class at USDF Hannoverian
Third In Hand at USDF Hannoverian

I trained with Willi Schultheiss,  Maria Gunther, Dr. Joachim Boesche, Rolf Henn, Harry Boldt, Peilike, Reitmeister Festerling, Herbert Rehbein, Heinz Schuette currently President of the German Judges Association, Heiner Jeibmann, Olympians Ingrid Klimke, Jan Brink and International Dressage Judge Bo Jenna from Sweden.

I am currently training with Olympian Michael Poulin.

In 2002 I moved to America with my husband Richard, my two children and my then 4-year old Hannoverian Gelding "Roger Rabbit", embracing Florida as my new home and establishing HALF HALT STABLES.

"Roger" is thriving and continuing his education,
winning 2006 Zada High Point Res. Champion Intermediare 1
and Prix St. George in Wellington, FL
earning Southeast Champion Second and Third Level,
Southeast Champion Prix St. George