Producing quality Shire and Shire Sporthorses since 1991
was in 1991 on a windy hill in Weston, Missouri. The 80 acre farm overlooked a valley in the Missouri River Bluffs which was once home to a tiny railroad town named Woodruff. Time passed, the once prosperous town became a memory except for in the tales of the locals, and the name of the winding gravel road - Woodruff Road. Although in 1996 we relocated back to Virginia, Woodruff remains our name in memory of a very beautiful place.
Our horses mostly came from Virginia - home of some of the finest Thoroughbreds in the country. Our Shires were direct bloodlines from England - home of the magnificent Shire. Each horse in our breeding program was chosen for their exceptional bloodlines, conformation and temperament. Our selective breeding has resulted in exceptional Shire and Shire Sporthorse foals. Likewise, each horse and pony in our lesson program has been either home-bred or has been chosen for their exceptional temperament, skills and tractability.
Susan has been teaching a handful of students most of her adult life. In the horse world, there are as many methods as there are horses. Being a student of the horse for 40 years has made it possible to relate appropriate methods to different types of horses and situations. Being a witness to poor training methods and the over facing of inexperienced horses and riders was one of the factors leading Susan to a career of teaching. Her professional life has spanned Banking, Title Insurance and after graduating from George Mason University with a BS in Economics in 1987 she made a move into Software Development. In her professional life, Susan was known for her patience and ability to work with difficult projects, situations and people. In 2003, the opportunity opened to work full time as a Riding Instructor and Trainer. Just as it takes years of building on basics to become a successful professional, it takes years of training and building on sound basics to become a good horseman. Susan is dedicated to providing both horse and rider an education built on sound basics, and considerate application of appropriate training techniques.
Susan is an A.R.I.A. Certified Riding Instructor, certified in Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences and Stable Management.
Our horses mostly came from Virginia - home of some of the finest Thoroughbreds in the country. Our Shires were direct bloodlines from England - home of the magnificent Shire. Each horse in our breeding program was chosen for their exceptional bloodlines, conformation and temperament. Our selective breeding has resulted in exceptional Shire and Shire Sporthorse foals. Likewise, each horse and pony in our lesson program has been either home-bred or has been chosen for their exceptional temperament, skills and tractability.
Susan has been teaching a handful of students most of her adult life. In the horse world, there are as many methods as there are horses. Being a student of the horse for 40 years has made it possible to relate appropriate methods to different types of horses and situations. Being a witness to poor training methods and the over facing of inexperienced horses and riders was one of the factors leading Susan to a career of teaching. Her professional life has spanned Banking, Title Insurance and after graduating from George Mason University with a BS in Economics in 1987 she made a move into Software Development. In her professional life, Susan was known for her patience and ability to work with difficult projects, situations and people. In 2003, the opportunity opened to work full time as a Riding Instructor and Trainer. Just as it takes years of building on basics to become a successful professional, it takes years of training and building on sound basics to become a good horseman. Susan is dedicated to providing both horse and rider an education built on sound basics, and considerate application of appropriate training techniques.
Susan is an A.R.I.A. Certified Riding Instructor, certified in Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences and Stable Management.
Woodruff Shires & Warmbloods, LLC
The beginning...