San Francisco Peninsula Chapter California Dressage Society

Meet the SFP Chapter members

This Month: Sandy Holmes

Q. When did you first start riding?
I took my first riding lesson some 48 years ago when I was 10 years old at James River Hunt Club in Hampton Virginia. But I actually rode the pony rides every chance I got when I was even younger. About a year after I started formal riding lessons, the Commander of Langley Air Force Base where we were stationed started a stable on the base and brought in a herd of young horses to be started and all of us kids got to climb on and hope for the best. We did things that no parent would ever approve of today… including jumping ditches at a full gallop bare back with no hard hats. What fun we had! I was hooked and begged for a horse of my own… but to no avail.

Q. Tell us a little about your horse(s)?
I have only owned 3 horses. I got a free one when I was 17 which caused me to go to work while in high school to pay for the $50 a month board. I kept him about 5 years, took jumping lessons and evented him at Mount Diablo. Then I had a long 18 year break before I bought my next horse young horse which I broke and trained to be an event horse with a few dressage shows just for good measure. His name was Brant. I competed many times at the Woodside event in the 90’s. I sold him after I was diagnosed with breast cancer so that I could focus on my recovery. I sponsored a wonderful Hanovarian named Santiago for a couple of years and showed him 3rd level before buying my favorite horse of all, a big black Hanovarian named Laredo. We did lots of dressage shows up to 2nd level and successfully completed a pre-novice level event at Woodside. I sold him at the end of last year.

Q. How did you become interested in Dressage?
I first became interested in dressage at Porlock Vale Riding academy where I studied for my British Horsemasters Assistant Instructors exam. After completing that training, I returned to the States and worked as a riding teacher for about a year. CDS was just being formed and dressage was coming to live in America. I went to dressage shows with my best friend and studied along with her at every clinic. I have been involved in the dressage movement for the past 30 years.

Q. What are your goals?
I would love to own a Prix St. Georges horse and compete at the FEI level. I love to take lessons and show. I hope to ride in the big ring before my riding days are over!

Q. Where do you keep your horse?
I was most recently stabled at Portola Valley Training Center. Previously I was in the east bay at Heidi Riddle’s barn.

Q. Do you train with anyone? If yes, who?
I have trained with many trainers: Jan Ebeling, Sandy Howard, Heidi Riddle, Axel Steiner, Eiche Van Weltheim, Metta Rosencranz, Tanya Vic, and Jennifer Roth to name a few.

Q. Do you show?
I love to show and look forward to having another horse to braid. I have qualified for the annual show for the past 5 years.

Q. What is your regular "day job"?
My regular day job is the Payroll Director of the City and County of San Francisco. I am currently working on a project to replace the entire Human Resources Suite of HR, Payroll, Time and Attendance, and Benefits.

Q. How do you fit riding into your schedule?
When I had a horse, I rode every day after work. I was very much what kept me sane.

Q. Is your husband/partner/family supportive of your riding?
Yes my partner Sam is the best support anyone could have. He took up riding just to be able to spend time together and was amazing. He helps at shows and even started photographing horses at the shows to keep himself busy… as we all know, horse shows
can be boring for the spouse!.

Q. Outside of riding, what other hobbies or sports do you enjoy?
My other hobbies are skiing and traveling. I have been to Antarctica to see the Penguins, Church Hill Canada to see the Polar Bears and I did horse safari across Kenya(350 miles on horse back). Next is Mid Way Atol to see the Albatross and numerous other birds this winter.


	Meet the SFP Chapter members This Month: Sandy Holmes *Q. When did you first start riding?* I took my first riding lesson some 48 years ago when I was 10 years old at James River Hunt Club in Hampton Virginia. But I actually rode the pony rides every chance I got when I was even younger. About a year after I started formal riding lessons, the Commander of Langley Air Force Base where we were stationed started a stable on the base and brought in a herd of young horses to be started and all of us kids got to climb on and hope for the best. We did things that no parent would ever approve of today… including jumping ditches at a full gallop bare back with no hard hats. What fun we had! I was hooked and begged for a horse of my own… but to no avail. *Q. Tell us a little about your horse(s)?* I have only owned 3 horses. I got a free one when I was 17 which caused me to go to work while in high school to pay for the $50 a month board. I kept him about 5 years, took jumping lessons and evented him at Mount Diablo. Then I had a long 18 year break before I bought my next horse young horse which I broke and trained to be an event horse with a few dressage shows just for good measure. His name was Brant. I competed many times at the Woodside event in the 90’s. I sold him after I was diagnosed with breast cancer so that I could focus on my recovery. I sponsored a wonderful Hanovarian named Santiago for a couple of years and showed him 3rd level before buying my favorite horse of all, a big black Hanovarian named Laredo. We did lots of dressage shows up to 2nd level and successfully completed a pre-novice level event at Woodside. I sold him at the end of last year. *Q. How did you become interested in Dressage?* I first became interested in dressage at Porlock Vale Riding academy where I studied for my British Horsemasters Assistant Instructors exam. After completing that training, I returned to the States and worked as a riding teacher for about a year. CDS was just being formed and dressage was coming to live in America. I went to dressage shows with my best friend and studied along with her at every clinic. I have been involved in the dressage movement for the past 30 years. *Q. What are your goals?* I would love to own a Prix St. Georges horse and compete at the FEI level. I love to take lessons and show. I hope to ride in the big ring before my riding days are over! *Q. Where do you keep your horse?* I was most recently stabled at Portola Valley Training Center. Previously I was in the east bay at Heidi Riddle’s barn. *Q. Do you train with anyone? If yes, who?* I have trained with many trainers: Jan Ebeling, Sandy Howard, Heidi Riddle, Axel Steiner, Eiche Van Weltheim, Metta Rosencranz, Tanya Vic, and Jennifer Roth to name a few. *Q. Do you show?* I love to show and look forward to having another horse to braid. I have qualified for the annual show for the past 5 years. *Q. What is your regular "day job"?* My regular day job is the Payroll Director of the City and County of San Francisco. I am currently working on a project to replace the entire Human Resources Suite of HR, Payroll, Time and Attendance, and Benefits. *Q. How do you fit riding into your schedule?* When I had a horse, I rode every day after work. I was very much what kept me sane. *Q. Is your husband/partner/family supportive of your riding?* Yes my partner Sam is the best support anyone could have. He took up riding just to be able to spend time together and was amazing. He helps at shows and even started photographing horses at the shows to keep himself busy… as we all know, horse shows can be boring for the spouse!. *Q. Outside of riding, what other hobbies or sports do you enjoy?* My other hobbies are skiing and traveling. I have been to Antarctica to see the Penguins, Church Hill Canada to see the Polar Bears and I did horse safari across Kenya(350 miles on horse back). Next is Mid Way Atol to see the Albatross and numerous other birds this winter.