SANDRA FENSTAD-SANCHE

Originally, from Manitoba, Sandra successfully showed horses for "Westmead Farms" owned by the Late, Hon. James Richardson, as well as for Aramis Arabians, owned by Wayne Newton of Las Vegas. In the winter of 1998, she moved to Alberta to work for Zimmerman Equine Service. Since her arrival here, Sandra's business has grown considerably.

Sandra, together with her husband Marty and her two young children live in the Ardrossan area. As well as training horses at home, she can be found training and teaching at a few public as well as at many private barns and stables throughout the area. Her main training facility is “Stables on 21”, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.

Under the banner of "Sanche Performance Horses", Sandra maintains a busy schedule of training and showing several breeds that include Arabians, Partbred Arabians, Morgans, Saddlebreds, Hackney Ponies, Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods. Her large amateur owner and recreational lesson program involves all types of disciplines including Hunter, Jumper, Dressage, Western Pleasure, English Pleasure, Saddle Seat and Pleasure Driving.

Due to the fact that Sandra trains a large variety of horses and riders for numerous disciplines, she can be found at shows locally, provincially and nationally. Her students can be found competing in these classes and have obtained many awards at all three levels. At the shows the best place to find Sandra is coaching her students from the gate! Year after year, she has produced some of the TOP equitation riders. Spring, summer and fall are very busy for Sanche Performance Horses!

As an experienced and recognized judge, Sandra has judged everything from halter, showmanship, English and Western pleasure classes, working classes to driving, and even some heavy horse events.

Over the years, Sandra has attained several achievements, including training the Manitoba Horses of the Years, being named the Provincial Western Coach of the Year for 3 consecutive years, and being nominated for Canadian National Coach, not once but twice. She has received Provincial Championships in every division and has also gathered numerous Western Canadian Championships in Dressage, Show Hack, Sport Horse In-Hand, Sport Horse Under Saddle, as well as numerous Top awards at the National level. Year after year her students have also obtained Provincial, Regional and National awards.

Therapeutic riding has been a passion for Sandra for many years. She is a certified therapeutic riding instructor and was the chief instructor in Manitoba for 15 years. As a result, she has traveled to many cities in Western Canada and North Western Ontario to give clinics to Therapeutic Riding programs and was instrumental on setting up five programs in those areas. She also stood on the National examining committee for C.A.N.T.R.A.