“Over 40 Years of Experience Helping Horses and Their Humans Thrive”

With over 40 years of experience in the equestrian industry, Sandra has dedicated her career to understanding horses and helping owners build confident, trusting partnerships with them. Throughout her career she has worked with an extensive variety of ponies and horses, from much-loved family companions to competition horses, youngstock and those requiring specialist behavioural support. This breadth of experience enables her to tailor her approach to the individual horse and owner, recognising that no two partnerships are ever the same.

Sandra is an Intelligent Horsemanship Recommended Trainer, holds the Intelligent Horsemanship Diploma, holds her Monty Roberts Certification of Horsemanship, an Accredited Horse Agility Trainer and Judge, and holds the UKCC Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Generic Riding and Sports. She has spent 25 years as a Lead Coach on the Intelligent Horsemanship courses, sharing her knowledge and practical experience with horse owners across the UK.

Sandra’s journey into Intelligent Horsemanship began in 1996 after watching Monty Roberts, “The Real Horse Whisperer”, on television. Inspired by his compassionate, non-violent approach to horse training, she attended one of his UK demonstrations and has never looked back. She completed her Monty Roberts Horsemanship training with Kelly Marks and Ian Vandenberghe and has since supported Monty on many of his UK tours.

Working alongside Kelly Marks and Ian Vandenberghe as part of the Intelligent Horsemanship team has provided Sandra with continual professional development and access to the latest thinking in horse behaviour and training. As part of a network of more than 35 Intelligent Horsemanship Recommended Trainers, knowledge and experience are shared daily, ensuring clients benefit from the collective expertise of one of the UK’s most respected equine organisations.

Sandra also brings an unusual and valuable perspective through her background as a City & Guilds trained chef. Although seemingly different professions, both require control of emotions, precision, timing, observation and an understanding that success comes from getting the fundamentals right. These transferable skills have shaped the calm, methodical and practical approach that underpins all of her work with horses and their owners.

An established writer and author, Sandra is passionate about making horse training accessible and enjoyable. Her first book, Leading and Loading the Less Easy Horse, published in 2022 with a foreword by Kelly Marks, has been warmly received by horse owners looking for practical, kind and effective solutions to loading and travelling challenges. It also introduces bonding and connection exercises that help strengthen the relationship between horse and handler.

Building on its success, Sandra wrote The Mindful Equestrian: Recipes for Balance, Connection and Wellbeing. Combining practical groundwork exercises with mindfulness, step-by-step photographic guides, QR-linked demonstration videos and reflective practices, the book encourages handlers and riders to develop both themselves and their horses in harmony.

Whether working with behavioural concerns, confidence building, groundwork, loading, or helping owners develop an improved understanding of their horse, Sandra’s aim is always the same: to create calmer, happier horses and more confident, knowledgeable owners through kind, evidence-based horsemanship.

Sandra has been recognised as an Unsung Hero for the Equestrian community and presented a beautiful Star Award by Martin Clunes MBE, President of The British Horse Society.

Read about the moving nomination on the Testimonials page