From the moment she first sat on a pony at just three years old, Sandra has felt more at home around horses than anywhere else. Her deep connection with these magnificent animals has shaped a lifelong journey — one that has taken her from the competitive arenas of show jumping and cross-country to a heartfelt commitment to building trust, confidence, and mindfulness within equine partnerships.
Traditional schooling was not where Sandra thrived. Instead, she found her confidence and sense of purpose in the world of horses. At just fourteen, she began her first job cleaning tack, and by sixteen she had left school to pursue formal qualifications at a British Horse Society Riding Establishment. She went on to work as a freelance groom and rider, supporting herself with additional work in pubs and restaurants.
During this time, food and cooking became a second passion. Sandra trained as a chef and earned her City & Guilds qualification. Yet despite her varied career path, it was always the equestrian world that truly defined her.
After witnessing some of the harsher realities within the horse industry, Sandra encountered The Man Who Listens to Horses by Monty Roberts — a turning point that profoundly influenced her direction. Inspired by his philosophy, she enrolled on an Intelligent Horsemanship course with former Lady Jockey Kelly Marks. This marked a pivotal moment in her career.
Sandra was later invited to become a course tutor and went on to earn her place as a Recommended Trainer with Intelligent Horsemanship, working with thousands of students and horses over the years.
Her dedication has not gone unnoticed. Sandra was honoured by the British Horse Society as an Unsung Hero, nominated by her clients in recognition of her commitment to improving the lives of horses and their handlers.
Sandra is also an accomplished author. In 2022, she released Loading the less easy Horse the ultimate guide to helping horses and handlers develop confidence around loading. In 2025, she published her second book, The Mindful Equestrian :Recipes for Balance, Connection and Well-Being, featuring 18 practical exercises to explore with your horse. Uniquely, the book integrates accompanying video content, bringing the exercises to life in a way that is rarely seen in the equestrian world. Available via my Shopping page.
Today, Sandra works closely with individuals and small groups, offering Intelligent Agility sessions designed to create harmonious partnerships between horse, handler, and rider. Her approach is grounded in mindfulness, patience, and teamwork, with a strong belief in ethical, non-violent training methods.
With a thorough understanding of equine psychology and many years of hands-on experience across the equine industry, Sandra combines practical knowledge with deep empathy. She listens — not only to you, but to your horse — offering clear guidance both visually and verbally.
Whether you are an owner, trainer, rider, or competitor, Sandra provides thoughtful coaching tailored to you and your horse. She divides her time between visiting private clients, running her own Intelligent Agility group sessions (where Intelligent Horsemanship meets Horse Agility), teaching on Intelligent Horsemanship Courses included the Five Day Foundation, Leading & Loading the Less Easy Horse, Handling the Untouched Horse, Perfect Manners, and the Online Horse Psychology course alongside Kelly Marks — mentoring the next generation of IH students, and writing regular articles to support you and your horse’s journey.
Outside her professional work, Sandra finds peace in nature, photography, and the outdoors, continually seeking balance and connection in every aspect of life.
