An experience like no other.

Michelle Connor receiving her awards as a 2005 Apprenticeship Graduate

Victory Hill Training Center also offers a one-on-one internship Program to anyone 18 years old and up.

This is an intensive learning experience for basic equine care and feeding, advanced riding and training techniques for novice, intermediate, or advanced riders and trainers.  Students may bring a horse and work with  Sandy on all aspects of training or specific areas of training. We will set our own days, weeks, and/or months.

Contac Sandy for more information.  Available March through October.

Sandy and Melissa Anema from Iowa - A 2004 graduate.

"I must admit that when I first heard the apprenticeship course I signed up for with Clay Harper would be half with him and half with some "Sandy Carpenter," a friend and partner of his, I was not sure I wanted to start the course. Man am I thankful that I did! Clay offered one approach and Sandy another, but both complimented each other well and I use both to this day as I work with various horses.

I could write all day about the fun and learning that I experienced in this program! I grew not only as a horse trainer, but as a woman. Clay and Sandy helped me develop my patience, empathy and courage. They helped me transform a trembling, terrified, ex-PMU mare into a steady, happy trail horse that would do anything I asked of her. They helped me realize my own personal strengths and value as a horseperson and as person in general. Never once did Clay or Sandy make me feel like giving up or feel quitting was even an option, but never did they push me too far beyond my comfort level. I fondly remember Sandy pushing me to better my confidence and truly overcome my fears with canter work. They both taught me so many invaluable training techniques and philosophies, and always made certain I and the other apprentices fully grasped each concept.

Sandy brought her years of experience openly to us in that year, and has not stopped educating me to this day! She shared the day to day running of a facility much like I dreamed of one day running. We learned about everything from proper feed to caring for a sick horse on top of the training philosophies she uses. We got to experience various veterinary techniques and I saw for the first time Equine Chiropractic work and Equine Acupuncture. Sandy has such a no-nonsense, gentle-yet-firm, tried-and-true method of training. She openly shares her experience with all breeds and all riding disciplines. With Sandy I got to experience working with cattle and she opened my eyes to the exciting world of Versatility Ranch Horse Competition. The education I received from Sandy is one that I truly treasure!

Clay and Sandy were there all through the year to help with any questions or issues that arose. They were there for support through the early stages and stresses of starting my career. And they are still there for me today whether I have any training questions or issues, or when I start to doubt myself and need a boost. I consider Sandy a true friend!

I now have a training facility of my own and am honored to have had both Clay and Sandy here for several clinics to help horses and riders through various issues. I know I would not be where I am today had Clay and Sandy not seen in me what they did, and had they not helped me to realize it! Thanks Clay!!! Thanks Sandy!!!"

Michelle Conner

719-683-9645

www.lastingpartnership.com

Since I was 10 years old, I have been an avid rider. By the time I was a young man, I assumed I knew everything about horses. I was 50 years old when I met Sandy at Victory Hill Training Center and discovered I knew very little.

When I became an apprentice in April of 2006, I not only learned the proper way to ride, but the fundamentals of ground work in starting a young horse.

The old way of forcing a bit in the mouth, throwing a saddle on a back, jumping on and expecting results is so far from the gentle, patient, sensible way that I have learned from Sandy.

Every movement, every routine, every word makes so much sense, and with patience and repetition a young horse learns quickly, safely and shows profound trust in his trainer.

To date I have started and successfully ridden three young horses, all in less than seven sessions using the methods I have learned at Victory Hill Training Center.

Currently I am training a one-eyed gelding who is accepting his training as text book perfect. Within five sessions (total days of training) I was on his back and walking calmly in the round pen. He is quiet, relaxed and eager to  please.

I can't begin to express the satisfaction I feel upon seeing the horse respond to the proper skill of education which I have received.

I look forward to more advanced classes in finishing a horse, whether it moves on to western versatility, the show ring, or trail riding.

I highly recommend Victory Hill Training Center to begin your equestrian training if you are a beginner or at a level wanting to learn new and kinder techniques. You will be very pleased with the results when you complete your training.

Tony Fernandez, Apprentice,  Salida, Colorado

Jorian Sartorius      Salida, Co

I came to Sandy as a rank novice rider with no formal training. I bought a 2 year old quarter horse gelding and placed it in training at Victory Hill. Under Sandy's guidance, the young gelding and I both learned all about the basics and then advanced to the formal aspects of reining, cutting, and working cattle. A year later we won a junior horse reining class and a trail class and placed second in the Western Pleasure Class at a big open show and not long after that we took 3rd place in a highly competitive Junior Horse division of a Versatility Ranch Horse Competition.

My wife bought an older Arabian gelding through Victory Hill and with Sandy's help she and her gelding have become a great team.

Thanks to Victory Hill, I have learned more than I ever thought there was to know about riding and training horses. It would be hard to imagine a more effective and fascinating curriculum than what is offered at Victory Hill Training Center.

Jorian Sartorius         719-530-0221



Windamere Farms           Salida, Co

Our relationship with Victory Hill Training Center began 20 years ago in California when we had our first 2 horses trained by Sandy. She did an outstanding job! We were so pleased when the Training Center was relocated to Salida.

Many years and many horses later, we can truly say  Victory Hill Training Center has developed our horses  into wonderful, pleasurable companions.

Wayne and Linda Sue Johnson   719-539-2505