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Our rescue operations are supported, in part, by the equestrian programs offered at Ray of Light. The programs include lessons in riding and ground work, and emphasize building a solid foundation for the horse and rider that allow students to progress to higher levels in any discipline. Our instructors are well-experienced and accomplished riders, trainers, and teachers. Their depth of knowledge and experience with horses, combined with a patient and encouraging teaching, make our lesson programs some of the best around.

Meet the Instructors

Susan Macauley

Sue started her equine studies at a horse day camp in Guilford, CT, when she was only 6. By the time she was 8, she was showing Hunter Equitation, and continued showing in the New England circuit for the next 10 years. She continued studying and working with horses, and earned a BA in Horsemastership from Lake Erie College, and became a certified instructor from the Morven Park International Equestrian Institute. She spent many years teaching, training, and competing in Combined Training (Dressage, Cross-Country, and Stadium Jumping), and those pursuits took her around the country and around the world. Now, Sue has returned to CT, and brings her extensive experience and level of excellence to Ray of Light Farm, where she is both Head Instructor and primary trainer to all the Ray of Light Horses.

Sally Sanders

Sally began her teaching career in Westchester County, NY. She received her teaching degree through Pace University Equine Studies Program. She taught for several years at Pace U, then eight years at Fox Hill Farms in Pleasantville, NY. She also traveled throughout Northern Westchester teaching, training, and exercising at numerous barns and private homes. Sally moved to CT in 1994 and started teaching at her home on rescued mare. An increase in students brought two more horses home to teach on. For the winter months, she made arrangements with the previous owners at the Stables at East Haddam to bring her students to the indoor arena. This led to teaching at the farm and started her relationship with the new owners of Ray of Light Farm.

Sally thanks her teaching success to the numerous kind, patient and dependable school horses she has been blessed to work with over the years. Without them, she would not be in the ring today.

Sanna Piispanen

Sanna is our newest member of the team, but is quickly becoming an essential asset. Sanna grew up with horses in Finland, where she began riding at the age of eight. She has been involved in Harness Racing and Dressage, but finds an especial affinity for Arabian horses, and is involved in their breeding, training, and showing.

Sanna has been in the United States since 2001, and joined the Ray of Light family in February, 2010. In between her lessons, she is Sue's "right hand man" in training and handling all the horses at the farm.

Meet the Instructors Susan Macauley Sue started her equine studies at a horse day camp in Guilford, CT, when she was only 6. By the time she was 8, she was showing Hunter Equitation, and continued showing in the New England circuit for the next 10 years. She continued studying and working with horses, and earned a BA in Horsemastership from Lake Erie College, and became a certified instructor from the Morven Park International Equestrian Institute. She spent many years teaching, training, and competing in Combined Training (Dressage, Cross-Country, and Stadium Jumping), and those pursuits took her around the country and around the world. Now, Sue has returned to CT, and brings her extensive experience and level of excellence to Ray of Light Farm, where she is both Head Instructor and primary trainer to all the Ray of Light Horses.
Sally Sanders Sally began her teaching career in Westchester County, NY. She received her teaching degree through Pace University Equine Studies Program. She taught for several years at Pace U, then eight years at Fox Hill Farms in Pleasantville, NY. She also traveled throughout Northern Westchester teaching, training, and exercising at numerous barns and private homes. Sally moved to CT in 1994 and started teaching at her home on rescued mare. An increase in students brought two more horses home to teach on. For the winter months, she made arrangements with the previous owners at the Stables at East Haddam to bring her students to the indoor arena. This led to teaching at the farm and started her relationship with the new owners of Ray of Light Farm. Sally thanks her teaching success to the numerous kind, patient and dependable school horses she has been blessed to work with over the years. Without them, she would not be in the ring today.
Sanna Piispanen Sanna is our newest member of the team, but is quickly becoming an essential asset. Sanna grew up with horses in Finland, where she began riding at the age of eight. She has been involved in Harness Racing and Dressage, but finds an especial affinity for Arabian horses, and is involved in their breeding, training, and showing. Sanna has been in the United States since 2001, and joined the Ray of Light family in February, 2010. In between her lessons, she is Sue's "right hand man" in training and handling all the horses at the farm.