Horse industry mourns passing of Canadian equestrian icon Susan Grange

Horse industry mourns passing of Canadian equestrian icon Susan Grange
Very few people have had more of an influence on the Canadian horse industry than Susan Grange.

The Caledon Enterprise has confirmed through numerous source that Grange died on Thursday, Oct. 19. The cause of death has not been disclosed. She was in her 60s.

Owner of Lothlorien Farms in Caledon with husband John, Grange has owned and bred some of Canada’s most notable show-jumping and race horses.

She first became interested in horses at the age of 12 after tagging along with a friend to some riding lessons. By age 16, she was a regular on the local competition circuit.

In 1974, she purchased a hundred-acre property and started Lothlorien Farms, which over the years has grown into an internationally renowned 500-acre breeding and training facility in the rural Caledon community of Cheltenham.

The family also owns a farm in Wellington, Florida.

While well known in international competition circles, Grange remained a big supporter of the local horse community in Caledon and Ontario right up until her death. Sue and her internationally renowned horses have been a familiar sight at the Caledon Equestrian Park for decades.

Members of the equestrian community began weighing-in on social media as news of Grange’s passing spread.

“We were all very sad to hear about the passing of Susan Grange, she was the greatest supporter of show jumping in Canada,” wrote Phillip Rozon, a Level 3 FEI official in a Facebook post. “My condolences to the Grange family.”

Best selling author Shelley Peterson, the wife of former Ontario Premier David Peterson, who is also involved in the local horse community said Grange was an "exceptional horsewoman who understood animals in her bones."

"She was admired for her common sense, hands-on training, and innate horse wisdom. Her loss will be felt by countless people in the industry and beyond," said Peterson. "With her internationally successful horses and her support for our top riders, Sue made a huge contribution to Canada’s horse industry. She made us all proud. She will be missed by many people, but none more than her beloved family, plus every animal whose life she touched."

One of seven grandchildren of Canadian media magnate Roy Thomson, Grange owned an 11 per cent share in Woodbridge, the company that oversees the Thompson families investments and which holds a 60 per cent stake in Thomson Reuters.

According to Bloomberg’s Billionaire Index, Grange was the 522nd richest person in the world, with a net worth of $3.83 billion.

Grange is survived by husband John and four children.