On behalf of Susan Shiba, I, Volker Brommann, like to write a recommendation for the Annual Teaching Excellence Award for the USDF Region 9.

I have known Susan now for many years through teaching/coaching her and a fair number of students. Susan and her students participate on a regular basis in clinics that I conduct in Texas.

However I also was present when Susan Shiba prepared one of her students at a Jr/Yr Championship in California,and was very impressed with ,not only her teaching skills, but also her ability to help her student mentally to be prepared to ride a horse that was completely foreign to her student. And as a result placed very high in that competition,presenting a very well educated student at a prestigious show!

During my clinics in Region 9 I have observed improvement in Susan's riding and the riding and theoretical education of her student.

Whenever I point out a task that needs to be worked on with a particular horse/student combination,Susan Shiba never fails to fulfill my expectation in reaching my set standard,but in most cases exceeds it,which tells me ,that she is diligent,dedicated and patient with her students and their horses.

She has a very clear and concise grasp of the training scale to further a horses training through the highest levels,and makes no shortcuts when it comes to educating her students, based on these principles. In my opinion a good teacher is signified through their students ability to ride their horse ,being able to further their skills and to be able to take instruction from an instructor that is not someone the student normally works with. Susan Shiba's students I have worked with,all possess these skills and are constantly advanced in their practical and theoretical education towards being not only better riders,but horse men/women as a whole.

It is always a pleasure and an honor to work with Susan and her students, and I believe there is a huge value in giving her a grant . It would not go to waste as Susan is continuously working on bettering herself,and gives back to her students every ounce of knowledge she has gained.

Respectfully
Volker Brommann
www.volkerbrommann.com