Sandsablaze: Grand Prix Greatness from Harrisburg to the Olympics

by Kimberly Gatto

The Thoroughbred horse Sandsablaze made history in the 1970s, achieving numerous victories with his young owner and rider, William Buddy" Brown of New York. Despite being deemed awkward in his early years, Sandsablaze began his journey to the top of the sport with a win at the AHSA Medal Finals at Harrisburg, the pinnacle of success in the junior equitation ranks. In an accomplishment that has yet to be duplicated, Sandsablaze--with Brown in the saddle--went on to win at the Grand Prix level and represented the United States at the Olympics. Some of his other key victories occurred at New York's National Horse Show and the Washington International Horse Show, as well as abroad. Nearly thirty-five years after his death, Sandsablaze remains a legend in the sport. Join equestrian author Kimberly Gatto as she tells this remarkable story of partnership and success."

160 pages, Paperback

First published June 10, 2014

About the author

Kimberly Gatto is a professional writer specializing in equestrian and sports books. Her published works to date include three horse-related titles and several athlete biographies. Her work has been included in various publications, including the Blood Horse, the Chronicle of the Horse, the Equine Journal, and Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul. Gatto is an honors graduate of Boston Latin School and Wheaton College. A lifelong rider and horsewoman, she is the proud owner of a lovely off-the-track thoroughbred.

Reviews

[emily johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author was a little all over the place with what the purpose of this book was meant to be. I loved the descriptions of Buddy and his horse.. she should have developed that part of the story.

[Stacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. After all, it's the story of a little horse with a lot of heart and a great partnership with his rider. Unfortunately, the author didn't seem able to make up her mind about her audience and alternated between rattling off pedigrees and competition details as though writing a simple sports report and over-explaining aspects of horse sport that most folks interested in this book (certainly the ones who care at all about such pedigree detail) already know.