Susan C. Spivey Clune

Susan Cristene (Spivey) Clune was born in Kansas City, Missouri on January 6, 1949, to Tom and Vivian Spivey. When she was a young child, the family moved to southern California where Susan’s lifelong love of horses and riding developed. She completed high school in Hacienda Heights, California before beginning her undergraduate work at Cal Poly. Before finishing at Cal Poly, Susan moved back to Kansas City with her family and completed her undergraduate work at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, Susan spent several years teaching gifted children. In 1974, Susan married William “Bill” Clune and together they had two children; Carrie Elizabeth in 1976 and John David in 1980.

Susan was an avid and quite talented equestrian. She owned and operated River Ridge Farm in Edmond, Oklahoma. Throughout the years Susan trained hundreds of hunter/jumper students and her program produced multiple World, National, State and Quarter Horse Congress Champions. In addition to coaching some of the top competitors in the nation, Susan’s quarter horse breeding program produced many AQHA hunter/jumper champions. Susan was a member and strong supporter of the American Quarter Horse Association, the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association, and the United States Equestrian Federation.

Aside from her equestrian pursuits, Susan was an accomplished cook and very much enjoyed sharing this talent with her family and friends. Her homemade pies and spaghetti were the favorites of everyone around her table. Her home was welcoming and she hosted many friends over the years.

Susan is survived by her children, daughter Carrie (Wes) Parsons, her son JD (Heather) Clune; Grandchildren: Tom Parsons, Maggie Parsons, Bo Green and Hadley Clune; as well as a multitude of friends she considered family.

Susan will be greatly missed but her legacy will live on in her children, grandchildren and the many students she had the pleasure of coaching over the years.

A memorial service honoring Susan’s life will be Sunday, April 19, 2015 at Baggerley Funeral Home at 2pm. Donations may be made to the AQHA Youth Fund or MMA Research.