GoHorseShow is very sad to report the passing of 2006 APHA World Champion and former Baylor Equestrian Team member, Suzanna Ashmore Nelson of San Marcos, California. She was 22 years old.
“On behalf of our family, we are so grateful for the outpouring of love and support you have given us in the wake of Suzanna’s death,” says her aunt, Meredith Nelson Landy of Atherton, California. “Your comments, emails and photos have been an enormous source of comfort for all of us.”
“I will never forget how she could make us all laugh with her horse impressions, her beautiful smile and what a completely kind hearted person she was,” says friend and APHA exhibitor, Katherine Lura Halverson of Yorba Linda, California. “I will always remember her leading Nicky in that blue showmanship outfit and how much joy she got from riding and showing.”
“My heart is so heavy,” says close friend Alexie Estrada who is a current member of the TCU Equestrian Team. “She was a beautiful individual and one of my best friends at all the horse shows since the walk trot days and then collegiate equestrian games. Always looked forward to going to Baylor and seeing her big smile and hearing her contagious laugh at Nationals. She will be greatly missed.”
APHA Judge Erica Lang of Houston, Texas also expressed her condolences,
“I am so incredibly sorry to hear this. She was one of my favorite
people at the horse show. I will always remember her hilarious voices
and impressions she used to do. I am sending prayers to the family.”
Suzanna (pictured left with her aunt, Meredith Landy) was born July 13, 1990 to Flint Nelson and Dr. Lolly Schiffman. Before attending Baylor, she was named a Presidential Scholar and four year honor roll member at San Marcos High School.
Nelson competed on the APHA show circuit in states including California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and Texas. She was the 2006 APHA World Champion 14-18 Hunter Under Saddle Champion and received multiple Top 5 APHA World Show and honor roll awards. Some of the horses she showed included multiple World Champions Real Me In and Ultimate Bonanza as well as Nickys Dun Sizzlin. Nelson trained with Karen Qualls of Premier Performance Horses located in Chino Hills, California. Suzanna was also a part of the Baylor Equestrian Team that won the 2012 National Championships in the Hunter Seat.
Suzanna’s memorial service will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, April 6 at Riverview Church in Bonsall. The Nelson Family will create a garden memorial for Suzanna at their home. If you wish to participate in the garden, please bring a plant to the memorial.
Address:
Riverview Church
4980 Sweetgrass Lane
Bonsall, CA 92003
760-941-8504
If you would like to send condolences to the family, you may mail them to the addresses below:
Flint (father) and Judy Nelson (step-mother) : 2988 Live Oak Park Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028
Dr. Lolly Schiffman (mother)–760 Clipper St, San Francisco, CA 94114
