The next exhibitor in our highly popular, 10 Things You Probably Don’t Know about Me series is Susan Juroe of Longmont, Colorado. An Amateur competitor, Juroe is under the supervision of Tim and Shannon Gillespie who are located in Whitesboro, Texas.
Currently, Susan shows multiple Congress and APHA World Champion, First N Line in the trail, horsemanship and western pleasure. Juroe also has two young futurity superstars, Line Up For Candy and Kid In A Candy Store that will be debuting in new classes this year. Also, a new addition to her lineup is three-year-old, Pickup Line, who is in training with Aaron Moses.
While this Michigan native has had incredible success inside the show arena with over 35 AQHA/APHA World Championships, her life outside the show pen has been fascinating as well. Juroe served as a political appointee in the Reagan Administration as Special Assistant to the Chairman of the U. S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission and the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board. Prior to moving to Colorado from Washington, DC in 2001, she was a partner at one of the nation’s largest law firms, specializing in housing finance.
In 1997, Susan and her husband, Michael Schonbrun, founded Balfour Senior Living where she serves as the General Counsel. Juroe is also part of the development team which oversees the financing, architecture and design of the senior housing designs.
And most impressive of all – Juroe is the mother of 14 year-old twin boys, Adam and Teddy,
We are honored that Susan wanted to share more about her background with our readers. She came up with ten fun questions to ask herself and her insightful answers are below.
1. What book is currently on your nightstand table?
“When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing” by Daniel H. Pink. This book makes a case for naps, being social every day and not starting work before 9.
2. Best Life/Career Advice You Followed?
From my father, a college professor, who told me to always sit in the front row.
3. Career/Life Advice You Ignored?
The pre-marital standardized test required by my church predicted that our marriage would be a failure. The minister told us that in his 35 years of counseling, he had never seen an engaged couple that failed in all but one category of compatibility. We were advised to cancel or at least postpone the wedding. That was 18 years ago.
4. A Boss or Mentor Who Inspired You?
My trainers, Tim and Shannon Gillespie, continue to amaze and inspire me with their work ethic, physical stamina, organizational skills and drive. They can hold the other end of my rope anytime.
5. Worst Boss/Mentor?
Thomas Capano, Esq., my first boss at a Philadelphia law firm who was convicted of the 1996 murder of Anne Marie Fahey, his former lover. After murdering her, he drove a boat 62 miles into the Atlantic Ocean and wrapped her body in two boat anchors after the large cooler containing her body would not sink. He died in prison in 2011.
6. Most memorable celebrity encounters?
Not sure this counts but I attended Hanover College with Woody Harrelson, also an English major and Vice President Mike Pence, who, as president of his fraternity, actually enforced the campus no drinking policy. I also got to meet Mother Teresa at the White House in the late 1980’s.
7. Your perfect day would begin with?
Feeding the horses and barn cats with Chaos, the rescue dog, after having coffee. (pictured left with her father)
8. Something you are good at?
Matchmaking and breeding horses. I have a very high conversion rate over years of matchmaking, and it brings me incredible joy to introduce two people who otherwise would not have met but for my intervention. I would also like to think I’m good at horse breeding since I have had a high percentage of winners of the 80 plus APHA and AQHA horses I’ve bred over the years.
9. Something You Are Bad At?
Organizing drawers, cupboards or closets.
10. Advice your older self would give your younger self?
If your boyfriend shows up on Halloween dressed as a “closet,” you might want to ask some questions.
Thanks, Susan!
