Sandra McCarthy, Head Trainer and Director of Riding
Sandra is a nationally recognized coach with an extensive background in the equitation, hunters and jumpers. The training program at the International Riding Academy has been developed by Sandra based upon her experience with junior riders (under 18) and collegiate riders in a career spanning over 20 years. Sandra spent six years as the head coach and Director of the English Riding Program for the University of Findlay, amassing numerous National titles for both the team and individuals, with her team achieving the Zone 6 Champions 2007–2009, Reserve Champions 2006, Zone 6 Region 3 champions 2006–2009 and were undefeated in 2006–2008. Her students’ individual championships included IHSA Nationals, Open Flat, Intermediate Flat, Intermediate Fences, ADV WTC, Novice Fences, Novice Flat, Third Place Overall Cacchione Cup 2008, and numerous hunter and jumper Championships won at AA shows by UF riders and UF horses. Prior to 2005, Sandra’s students qualified for Pony Finals, Onondarka Medal finals, PCHA medal finals, Maclay finals, USET finals, Medal Finals and her LEC Prix De Ville teams in 2006, 2007, and 2008 consistently placed in both high and low teams.
Sandra McCarthy with Mindy Darst at Pony Finals 2011Along with coaching a nationally ranked team, Sandra served as mentor for the majority of the team members, providing mental training and coaching in and out of the arena. She also specializes in assisting her riders with internships and employment opportunities with top professionals around the country as well as helping to guide them on their career paths after graduation from college. She has maintained contact with the greater part of the riders that she has coached and continues to advise and mentor them in their career aspirations. It is a testament to her teaching abilities that a high percentage of her students have gone on to become industry professionals after graduating from college. Graduates of her training program carry forward her training style which is empathetic to the horse and focuses on positive reinforcement of the rider.
As part of the Academy, Sandra teaches riding theory as well as practical management in classroom situations, teaching practical horse care and wound care to her her students, as well as course design and course building. She often gives outside clinics and has a diversified judging background including local shows, IEA shows, hunter trials, and horse trials.
Sandra started riding at a young age, competing in the hunters and equitation divisions during her childhood. Her passion for the sport continued in to her early adulthood, and she began her professional career, teaching and riding at age 18. Throughout her career she has worked with the top professionals in the USEF, having spent time under the tutelage of Michael Page, Mindy Darst, David Wright, Bobby Dreyer and numerous other industry leaders. As a professional, Sandra has remained a student of the sport and developing her training and coaching techniques while incorporating skills learned from sports psychologists as well as animal behaviorists.
As a rider, Sandra has competed in the hunters and jumpers at AA shows throughout the Midwest and West Coast and is still currently competing hunters and jumpers when her busy schedule allows. She has worked as a trainer/rider at Marley Sales inc. Tuam, County Galway, Ireland; in 2004 was trainer of the winner of the Connaught Regional Qualifier at 1m10, Glenamaddy, Ireland, and in 2003, the trainer of the Connaught Regional 6th place overall young riders at 1m10 Glenamaddy, Ireland. She has also trained both dressage and show jumpers at European Equestrian Concepts in Coto de Caza, California.
Lauren McDevitt, Assistant Trainer and Director of Student Relations
Lauren trained under Sandra McCarthy at the University of Findlay where she graduated with degrees in Equine Studies and Equine Business Management. While at Findlay, Lauren was a member of the Varsity IHSA team, competing as a part of the 2009 Nationals team. She has worked under Nick DeCosta at the top rated Inwood Stables in Hamilton, Bermuda, and has trained all levels of horses, from green ponies to FEI level Jumpers. Lauren has always had a love of horses, and began riding when she was 7 years old. She grew up competing on the local hunter and dressage circuits. While her background is predominantly in hunters and equitation, she has also trained and competed in the jumper, dressage, and combined training arenas.