It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Susan Meyer February 2, 2024, at her farm Meyercrest Arabians in Raleigh, North Carolina surrounded by her cherished horses and her devoted husband Jim. Sue lived a life of beautiful duality, exemplifying traits that are rare in today’s world.
She was wonderfully gentle, but also a torrid force of nature.
Sacrificial and hardworking, Sue was also tenacious toward the specificity of truth.
Selfless and deeply thoughtful, she was also fiercely loyal and deeply protective of respect for both animals and people.
Integrity guided her every action; she never wavered from her commitment to doing what was right.
Sue was a truth seeker and a peacemaker. Captains of industry depended on her gifted business acumen. She sat on numerous boards within the industry, including the Arabian Horse Association, Arabian Breeders Association, Purebred Arabian Trust (where she led the Interior Design Committee for the Al-Marah Arabian Horse Galleries at the Kentucky Horse Park that opened in 2008), and others, and served as President of the Arabian Jockey Club. (Sue was also inducted into the AJC Tent of Honor in August 2023.) When difficulties arose, she was a reliable constant, a guiding light always seeking truth. Remarkably, she could exit a conflict or mediation and enjoy a good chocolate espresso martini with both sides afterward. Pride and ego had no part in her way of being.
Sue and Jim showed Arabian horses for many years before being introduced to Arabian racing. And while they earned several national championships and winners-circle trophies from their homebreds, being a breeder for over 50 years was Sue’s greatest source of joy and fulfillment. “My horses are my children,” she would often say. And she meant every word.
One of their finest homebreds is – unquestionably – the handsome deep-chestnut racehorse stallion, Hiab Al Zaman. Culminating a career as one of the world’s greatest racehorses, Hiab’s future was nearly cut short before it began. A stall accident sustained as a weanling found Sue and Jim in his stall around the clock for nearly two months nursing the young colt back to health. Three years later, Hiab blessed the Meyers with numerous wins including the $100,000 UAE President Cup (G1) at Pimlico Race Course on Preakness Day, followed unsurprisingly by being named 2021 Darley Horse of the Year. Sue and Jim sold him this past year to new owners overseas so he could continue his blossoming campaign, though Sue continued to joyously follow Hiab’s global success from the confines of her bed. Her Arabian horses were Sue’s full expression of joy, the “piece de resistance” of her life’s work.
In the realm of the Arabian horse, the mere thought of a community without Sue at the helm seems as impossible as a desert without sand. So, may I suggest something?
Let’s not think of a community that does not include her.
Rather, let’s continue to allow her values of compassion and integrity to guide us. Let’s follow her lead by striving for truth, unity, and justice. Above all, let’s us hold on to kindness towards all living beings, especially those who remain voiceless, guarding their sanctity with the same fierce devotion.
Rest in peace, Sue. You are loved the world over, and we are better because of you.