The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) recognizes Su Schmerheim, one of the few female solo horse haulers in the nation, as its March 2020 Member of the Month.
As a lifelong horse enthusiast, Schmerheim’s passion for horses began in her teenage years. Since the age of 23, she has been showing Arabian and Half-Arabian horses in Michigan and at regional/national events around the United States.
Finding a career that involved her love of horses always had seemed like just a dream, but when she left her corporate job in 2011, a friend suggested that Schmerheim consider finding work in the horse transport industry. Later that year, she began working for a local horse transport company, where she had the opportunity to obtain her CDL.
Five years later, a new opportunity presented itself. After connecting with Schmerheim through social media, Kyle Ecclestone, president of Ecclestone Horse Transport (EHT), offered her a new job. EHT is an international equine logistics company, providing worldwide horse transportation by both road and air.
This opportunity allowed Schmerheim to grow her career. Today, she is involved in both driving and logistics planning for EHT. She was assigned her own truck, a custom Kenworth T800 with a Doyle 15-horse trailer. Her feline co-pilot Jake often travels with her.
“The most exciting part of the horse transport industry is the unknown,” said Schmerheim. “Loading and hauling a live load certainly presents its fair share of challenges at times. No two days are ever the same.”
In the past year, Schmerheim has presented her truck at several truck shows, including the Trucker’s Jamboree in Walcott, Ia.; the Shiawassee County Truck Show; and the Richard Crane Memorial Truck Show in St. Ignace, Mich. She was also the recipient of the Women In Trucking Award, presented by association president and CEO Ellen Voie at the Richard Crane show.
Schmerheim encourages anyone interested in a trucking career to check out a truck show near them. She points out that it is a great way to connect and network with other people from the industry.
For those attending the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, KY, stop by booth #40672 in the North Wing Lobby to see the Women In Trucking Association!
