Sandy Collier is an amazing woman. In fact, she could easily be the heroine in any writer’s story. She’s smart, savvy and can out-ride the men—as she did when winning the prestigious National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity in 1993. Up to that point, that event had been dominated by the good ol’ boys club. And, so far, her victory is yet to be achieved by another woman in the open division.
Although horses have been a dominating life force for Sandy since she was a child, she’s extremely well rounded in other interests, as well. She excels at golf, has been a lifeguard at Cape Cod, and shushed down the slopes in Vermont, keeping them safe as a member of the ski patrol. Adding to her list of accomplishments, Sandy is also a licensed pilot, a realtor, and a martial artist. Wait—there’s more! She’s made a weeklong backpacking trip by horseback, alone, riding one horse and ponying three behind. All in all, I’d say without a doubt that she could give James Bond a run for his money, wouldn’t you?
Oh—one more thing…Sandy has just published her first book, called Reining Essentials: How to Excel in Western’s Hottest Sport. 
She’s here today to answer any equine or nonfiction publishing questions you might have. Fire away! And to thank our visitors for stopping by today, we’ll be drawing one lucky winner to receive a signed copy of Sandy’s book, Reining Essentials, plus a copy of my debut novel, Where the Wind Blows.
So if you will, please help me give Sandy a warm welcome…..
Sandy, to kick off your visit today I have a couple short questions for you. First, taking horses out of the equation, of all the things you’ve done or perhaps dreamt of doing in your past, what would be your dream career?
I am living my dream career! I feel so fortunate to spend my days with the animals I love in such an amazingly beautiful place like Santa Ynez Valley!! And I’m surrounded by wonderful people. I constantly ask myself “What did I ever do to deserve such a great life?”
Congratulations on your debut book! Can you tell us a little about how it came to be and what were the challenges in getting it done?
My part was the easy part! It’s all things I’ve learned over the years and 
do on a daily basis. It’s what I teach my non pros and at clinics every day. The hard part was Jennys….she had to coalate, organize and present the information in an easy to follow book.
Sandy, what goals are you looking ahead to in the years to come? Or what grand achievements are you gunning for on your horizon? Inquiring minds want to know….
My goals seem more modest to me as I grow older. I’m more interested in the quality of my relationships, sharing what I’ve learned, making a difference (I’ve recently taken a position on the advisory council for the therapeutic riding program here in the county)…..but I’d love to win the Snaffle Bit Futurity one more time before I hang up my spurs!
Please leave a comment or question for Sandy by clicking the tiny comment link just below. (Look closely)
Thanks and happy riding!
Good morning, Sandy. Welcome to Nicker. It is incredible all the things you can do-you are very diverse. How exactly did you get hooked on horses and how old were you when it happened.
Thanks,
~Caroline
I think my love affair with horses began when my cells started to divide. Seriously, I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t consmued by thoughts and dreams of horses.My poor parents!I bugged them into submission, that if I won $150 playing Bingo that I could buy this pinto pony named Crackerjack. They were horrified when I actually did win the money! That led to them buying my first horse, but it wasn’t the $150 pony of my dreams.
Has anyone out there made their parents that crazy??
Too funny! Actually, we did almost the same thing. There were three of us and we begged our mother so much we bought raffle tickets for a give away. We went to the auction but didn’t win but she ended up bidding and buying the owners favorite pony for us. We kept it in our back yard (subdivision) until we were turned in. LOL! It was a little girl’s dream come true. She was in foal and actually foaled out there….good times!
Hi, Sandy and Caroline! I’ve always loved horses. And I’ll admit, I don’t know one thing about them being and city girl and all. I think working with them is therapeutic. I have always had a dream of owning a horse or two, but my knowledge of the beautiful creatures is very limited. My girls love horse, we’ve considered riding lessons for the youngest one, she’s almost twelve. I see so many options of riding styles, what is the more practical type of riding?
Renee
Hello Sandy,
My question is, can you train a mean horse? The POA we rode when we were very young (Penny) would bite and kick even when she wasn’t carrying. When she was carrying, she was terrifying.
I know you’re not the horse whisperer, but maybe you can give me some insight I might use in my current novel, a Renaissance road trip.
And congratulations on your win! It must be very exciting to win such a title, and I imagine you were twice as proud since you and your “child” both won.
Hey there, Renee and Les, you’ve come to the right place for horsey info. Sandy just might be the horse whisperer. I think it so when I see the smooth and beautiful circles and stops her horses do. I can’t wait to hear what she has to say.
And that POA~~she’s what you’d call a ‘bad penny.’
LOL. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
Thanks for coming by you two. Your names are in the drawing. Check back around five to see if either of you is the lucky winner.
Good Luck!
Hi Sandy and Caroline,
My sister is the horse crazy one in our family. She used to do a lot of barrel racing and things like that on her lovely gelding with the innocuous name Flower. Poor boy.
I hadn’t ridden in years and got on him bareback only to fall off–and I was pregnant with MY horse-crazy daughter. Think it was an omen? LOL
Hi Caroline and Sandy (great name, by the way
. Cool blog ~ fascinating subject. My hubby recently got some great shots of a magnificent group of wild horses here in northern Nevada. One of the horse’s markings were so incredibly unique that I started imagining some hunky hero riding him bare back, back in the day.
Hum…maybe I might try to cultivate that historical voice after all, Caroline. lol
Sandy
Hi Sandy,
I rode horses when I was in my mid-teens. One of my best friends had two horses and we would ride for hours up into the hills near Sonoma, CA, pretending all kinds of scenerios. BUT, my most embarrassing experience was when I worked in a summer resort at seventeen. I tied 17 horses up for the wrangler and – well, they all got loose because I never could be taught how to tie a proper knot. Don’t want to repeat what the wrangler and my boss had to say about that problem I caused.
wow! you guys, thanks for the response!Nobody said horse trainers had to be smart….I’ve come in every hour to check the blog and didn’t see any activity….didn’t know I had to refresh…..so, here I am!
Renee- any style of riding is good riding and theraputic for horse and rider. The most important thing is that you find a decent horse and a good coach for your daughter. If you are comfortable with both, then just relax and enjoy the journey!
Hi Lesli
Any horse can be made better, but some are really worth the effort and some just aren’t. I suppose it’s just like people….ponies and poa’s have a notoriously bad rap, mostly because they spend most of their time with kids who aren’t big/strong enough to make them mind. Usually if someone can discipline them a bit, they’ll straighten out and fly right (at least for a while). Did you ever have the pleasure of riding a nicely broke horse?
So Pat, I hope you know that your daughter is destined to be a horse person since she got indoctrinated in utero. How old is she now? Has she started riding yet?
Hi Paisley,
Your story may make it to the top of the charts! That must have been quite a scene. Did they give you a second chance??
Gwynlyn,
That’s a scary story. Falling while pregnant. But, I’m sure she must have been all right since you told us about it.
Have you ever seen how fast those barrel horses beat it back from the third barrel? Sometimes the rider’s legs are straight out. I’m always amazed!
Thanks for coming by. I’ve added your name!
Sandy, I think that is a great idea. All it takes is that little mustard seed of an idea to grow into the mustard tree bestseller. You go. Your name is ‘Sandy’ right? So there you have it.
I’d love to see a pix of the horses. And the markings. Do you have any handy?
You’re in the draw.
~Caroline
No second chance for me. The wrangler did the sign of the cross every time he saw me after that.
My dad was a navy man and I was such a disappointment because he never could teach me how to tie a knot.
Caroline, I’ll download the pics off my camera. I’ll post a couple over at WIPs.
Sandy
Paisley,
I’m amazed every time you have a story to tell because we always have so much in common. During the summer of my senior year (when I was also 17) I worked at a ranch that had a dude string. I had to catch up like, twelve to fourteen horses everyday, saddle and take people on rides.
There was one gray that no one could catch, and so he was labeled a bad boy or the like. Anyway, he was really, tall, pretty and looked intelligent so I worked on catching him. I really can’t remember how I did it, but he turned into the best lead horse.
One thing though, he’d never walk, which trainers like Sandy wouldn’t like about him. But, his extremely slow jog was so comfortable, and since the rides were usually only one hour and since he was just a trail horse, I let him do it. (Don’t tell Sandy.) He was great!
Your names in. Thanks for stopping….
Sandy C. how long were you a member of the ski patrol? Do you still get out there to do some shushing?? If yes, do you go all the way to Tahoe or down to Big Bear?
Sandy D. Great about the pix. I look forward to seeing them.
Paisley-You could never be a disappointment. That is a funny scene though. LOL!
I know, not funny to you. It could fit nicely into the book you’ve been working on.
I’d love to see the pics too! They say that the true Spanish Barb (supposedly the progenitor to all of our horses, arabs included) that came over with the Conquistadors were all very drab in color ie no white markings,but there were gruellas,bays,duns etc and then when they started getting crossed on the remounts that were turned loose (or escaped), more color and markings started to be seen (these became our mustangs.I’d sure be interested if anyone knew any more about the subject. It fascinates me
Paisley,
did you ever learn about the rabbit that came up the hole around the tree and went back down the hole…that’s how I learned to tie a bowline. It may go down in history for being the most versatile knot (and hardest to learn)ever tied!
Caroline,
I was only on the ski patrol for 1 winter. It was in VT. I never skiied in powder until I was about 40 and rented a pair of skis in CO after a clinic and spent the day at Brekenridge. I was to chicken to get hurt, so stayed on the granny slopes, but had a ball. I hadn’t skiied since I left the east coast (at 19) where blue ice and corn snow were the best we got. Thought I’d died and gone to heaven…it was even warm too!
Well, you did it now, Sandy. I am rolling on the floor laughing and my hubby is scowling. You have no idea the pain I put him through trying to learn how to tie that knot. I can’t remember how loud his voice got reteaching me those motions but it never worked and he still remembers the angst. At the time I was a Camp Fire leader and needed to teach the girls that particular knot. Never happened and I think they all got counseling afterwards. And then there was basket making from pine needles – do I need say more?
I don’t mind sharing the pics, but I don’t know how to post them here (or if that’s possible) *sigh*.
Maybe Caroline can post them here or send them to you via email or something?
Sandy
Sandy D, just e-mail me a few jpegs to cfphoto@inreach.com and I’ll see what I can do to post them.
Our whistle is wetted…
Paisley,
too funny!!
Does anybody else have any great stories? this is a lot of fun!
A challenge to Miz Caroline – bring a short rope on Saturday to the SVR meeting and see if you can teach me how to tie the bowline…………(I am presuming you are an expert at this knot!)
Caroline, I sent four pics to the email you referenced. Hope you can get them posted for everyone to see
Sandy D
Okay, everyone interested in seeing Sandy D’s beautiful pictures of the Wild Horses there is a new page posted to the right hand side of this blog. It’s labeled Sandy D’s Wild Horses (how original) That is the only way I could get them up without overwriting this post…Let us know what you think.
Take a look. I’d like to take a trip up there and do some shooting.
Paisley, I’m bringing my rope!
thanks everyone for the response today. It was my first ever blogging!wish you all the very best!
Sandy
Thank you to all the friends who stopped by today to chat. It was really fun. A special thank you to Sandy for taking precious time out of her day to answer questions.
The winner of the two-book drawing is (I put all the names in a pot and pulled) Renee. Renee please e-mail me at carolinefyffe@gmail.com and give me your snail mail address. I’ll get it to Sandy too. Please remember I won’t have my books until about the 14th of next month.
Thanks again.
Please stop back by every now and then. We love to hear from you.
Hi Girls!
Did I miss the fun? I thought it was until 3! I was just browsing through all the ladies stories, thoughts, and questions. What a fantastic bunch of followers you have, Caroline.
Of course, other horsemen and horsewomen are aware of Sandy’s long list of accomplishments; however, I am compelled to want others to know Sandy as a person.
I am Sandy’s graphic and web designer, and I appreciate having had the opportunity to get to know Sandy as a friend. She is not only a formidable horsewoman but she has tremendous strength of character. She is endlessly witty, charismatic, positive, and insightful. I am inspired not only by her great accomplishments but by her great capacity for extending herself to those around her while maintaining her own personal boundaries.
Hope you’re still out there!
Jayne Wayne
Hi Jayne!
I’m thrilled you came by. Actually, the post and party was yesterday–but I’m glad you are here now. We had lots of fun. I totally agree with you. Sandy is the most gracious, kind, knowledgeable and fun friend!! She’s always fun to be around in any capacity.
Be sure to check out the wild mustang pictures that Sandy D. sent in yesterday that went along with the conversation. They are on the right hand column under, Sandy D’s Wild Horses….Really, very pretty—and the land also.
Where are you out of, Jayne? Santa Ynez Valley also? That is such a beautiful area. Solvang is one of my most loved little towns.
Really glad to get to know you. Check back often…
All the best,
~Caroline
Hello Caroline,
I must have misunderstood the email–darn it. Those photos are stunning. Thank you for directing me to them.
I am a Cal Poly graduate who returned to live in San Luis Obispo. I love this area, too.
Thank you for providing this opportunity!
Jayne Wayne