MQHA Member Spotlight: Linda Sands
Name: Linda Sands
Where are you from: Rolla, MO
How long have you been showing horses? Over 30 years
How long have you been in Missouri? All of my life
What is your favorite horse show? I like several shows, but the Congress is the biggest and best. The Select World is a close second. I enjoy showing at the state level shows very much.
What is your favorite event to show in? I love showing halter, and especially this year with our 3 yr old gelding, Big Time Addiction, with trainer, Chris Arentsen. We were Reserve Champions at the recent 2019 Select World in Ft. Worth. BIG is a 6 time World Champion and this year alone, has accumulated 323 AQHA points, superiors, many high points, dozens of Circuit Championships and 135+ Grands and Reserves…and the year is not over yet!
I have also had fun showing in longe line and western pleasure. A few years ago, with the help of trainer, Mike Tivoli, we were NSBA High Point Amateur longe liners with a yearling filly named, Perfectly Good Asset.
What is your favorite class to watch? Show Jumping
Who is your all-time favorite horse? And why? Zippos Mr. Good Bar…….We’ve raised over 14 ZMGB foals over the years and they have all been great show horses, many with Congress and World wins with Superiors in various events. My best mare, Good N Chipper, who we bred and raised, is by Zips Chocolate Chip and out of our Good Bar Jamie, by Zippos Mr Good Bar. Chip’s now in foal to Lazy Loper and we are excited about that 2020 foal!
If you are not at a horse show, what would we find you doing? Planning another horse show, gardening, walking dogs or working in the barn. (Cleaning house…not so much!)
Do you have another job…besides taking care of your horses? I've been employed by Missouri S&T (formally UMR) for over 42 years as a Business Support Specialist II and looking forward to retirement soon.
Favorite food? Any kind of Seafood
Favorite restaurant? Red Lobster
Favorite fun class at a horse show? Ranch Pleasure (awesome at Gateway Classic)
Favorite movie? Open Range
Favorite quote? From my web site...
Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it. Henry David Thoreau
What is your dream vacation? ALASKA someday!
Tell us something most people don’t know about you? I love photography and have been lucky enough to have some of my equine and canine photos featured at galleries and on magazine covers. I also adore beagles!
One piece of advice you would like to share with exhibitors who are just getting started? Always give it your best and don't be discouraged. Your time and efforts will pay off in the long run. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn from others that are successfully showing. I'm still working at it!
If there is anything else you would like to share, please tell us! Earlier last year I had the opportunity to bring back home one of our successful show mares. After many years of pasture and foals and uncertainty of how well this sweet older show mare would train back, within a few weeks, we could tell she would show again, performing nicely under saddle. Empty Irons was back to her usual sweet, beautiful moving self at the age of 14. I called Brenda Wasser and asked her if she had a youth that might be looking for an All–around horse. Brenda then asked if an EWD rider could ride Emma and I told her the possibility was good. Now the rest is history, Empty Irons and Robert Castellitto, winning the Congress in Hunt Seat Eq and NSBA World last year and many high point and circuit championships. It makes my heart proud to see this pair do so well at the shows! But, isn’t that what it’s all about, when we get right down to it. Keep it up Robert and Emma – the dynamic duo!
