Meet Susan Chu of Tanma Corp in North Andover

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Chu.

Thirty years ago in Taiwan Susan Chen and Charles Chu decided to start a business. He would engineer the products, she would sell them, and they would build them together. What started out as a small automotive security device company grew into one of the  most respected security device manufacturers in the world.

Susan traveled the world alone promoting their company often finding herself to be the only woman at meetings and trade shows other than entertainers. She moved with her children to the United States fifteen years ago to better serve the North American market. Charles had to stay in China at the manufacturing facility so Susan had to establish and run the operation alone while raising three children. In 2009 she proudly became a US citizen.

Five years ago, Susan followed her personal dream and started Tanma Corporation.

As President of Tanma Corp., Susan Chu Susan has partnered with world class equestrian riders and trainers including Olympic and Longines World Show Jumping Champions: Kent Farrington – #1 Ranked World Show Jumper and 2016 Rio Olympics Bronze Medal winner; Eric Lamaze – 2008 Beijing Olympics Gold Medal winner and 2016 Rio Olympics Silver Medal winner and Canadian Champion Yann Candele.

Tanma partnership horse First Choice 15 was part of the Canadian Show Jumping Team that came in 4th in the Team Jumping competition in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

She continues to partner with the world’s top ranked Show Jumping professionals in finding and developing outstanding competitive horses.

Susan’s passion for international show jumping was a result of her feeling a deep connection to the long and extraordinary career of number one horse in the world Hickstead, The beauty and perfection of Eric and Hickstead’s partnership moved Susan and convinced her that this is what she wanted to dedicate the remainder of her life to.

After watching Super Saver and I’ll Have Another Win while attending their respective Kentucky Derbies, she decided to enter the horse racing world. She has been fortunate to partner with a stellar thoroughbred racing team including three time Kentucky Derby winning Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, some of the most respected training and veterinary professionals and Donato Lanni, one of the top bloodstock agents in the world to find and develop the best horses. She has been remarkably fortunate to have Super Ninety Nine become a contender for the 2013 Kentucky Derby, Chitu run in the 2014 Derby and has several other thoroughbreds with Derby potential in her stable.

Under her direction, Tanma Corporation is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in the equestrian competitive arts, and promotes and supports an intense commitment to the humane treatment and continual improvement of equine quality of life for all horses, in every aspect of competition and post-competitive life. She supports Olympic Equestrian programs, and works with the Chinese Taipei Equestrian Association in a consultant capacity on their equestrian programs, as part of Tanma’s commitment to programs to raise interest in all equestrian events and quality of life internationally. A vocal advocate for humane treatment, Susan also supports several equine rescue projects. A lifelong lover of horses, she has been an accomplished equestrian show jumping for many years.

She has three children and her young son Jerry is also an up and coming contender in show jumping. She is a member of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation and the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA).

Susan is a devout Christian and is active in fundraising and charitable activities with her church and also with the Christian school that her son Jerry attends. She co-chaired the fundraising committee of the Bradford Christmas Academy.

Among the beneficiaries are CARE, World Wildlife Fund, International Red Cross, Spina Bifida Association, Sichuan China earthquake fund, Forte for Children, Boston Rescue Mission, American Red Cross, Old Friends Equine Rescue, ASPCA, Special Olympics, Humane Society, Best Friends, Free Christian Church, and many more.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Susan and her husband Charles have spent much of their life 8,500 miles apart. He is working in Asia and she in Massachusetts, getting together monthly at best. But their connection never wavered and they communicate daily and have a strong and loving family life.

Please tell us about Tanma Corp.
Tanma is involved in horse racing, show jumping (including Olympic competition) and horse breeding.

Racing, breeding and show jumping can be rough businesses. Racing in particular has seen some unfortunate negative occurrences in animal abuse/exploitation, doping and unethical behavior in the past although it is greatly improved in recent years.

Tanma is primarily dedicated to the care and after care of horses. We play by the rules and exceed them when it comes to animal care and retirement protection. We have retired profitable, winning horses based on just the slight indication that continuation might be detrimental to their health.

We demand and rigorously inspect safety and care of all of our horses. We contribute to horse rescue and retirement activities regularly and intend to set an example that you can win and prosper while providing excellent care and safety for thoroughbreds throughout their careers as well as lifelong care after retirement.

Our pride comes from ethical behavior and a strong commitment to humane treatment.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Nothing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tanmacorp.com www.baomacorp.com

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