THE funeral took place yesterday (Friday) of Suma Stud co-founder Susan (Susie) Lanigan-O’Keeffe, who passed away last Saturday. She and partner Marily Power made Suma Stud a force in Irish sport horse and Irish Draught history and received the Outstanding Contribution to ISH breeding at the Horse Sport Ireland awards in 2015.

Born in Co. Meath, she inherited her parents Randal (Lanny) and renowned judge Eileen (Dan), love of horses. Both she and her brother John also produced ponies for the well-known Connemara breeder Frances Lee Norman and were frequently in the ribbons at the Spring Show, Dublin, Wembley and the Royal International.

One of her best ponies was the jumping mare Royal Penny, who became a foundation mare when she retired to stud. Susie also competed at international level in three-day eventing and show jumping and represented Ireland at Burghley Horse Trials, aged just 16.

Suma legacy

Suma Stud was set up in Beauparc in 1978 after Susie retired from international competition and became synonymous with several famous Irish Draught lines. Pride of Shaunlara, Blue Peter, Glenagyle Rebel and Huntingfield Rebel were among their well-known stallions, while mares such as Whippy, The Thatcherite, Suma’s Folklore and Suma’s Poll Tax won countless showing championships and produced further generations of prizewinners.

The couple won the Croker Cup in 1991 with the American-bred thoroughbred Horos and were among the first to introduce continental stallions to Ireland, including VDL Arkansas and VDL Ricochet. They were also responsible for bringing Ard VDL Douglas here, the sire of the ‘millionaire mare’ Suma’s Zorro, who traces back to Royal Penny.

Susie will be sadly missed by Marily, brother John, sister-in-law Lesley, nephew Randal, niece Siobhan and a wide circle of friends.

A full appreciation will appear in a future issue.