FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
SIDELINES SEPTEMBER 2014 29
Competing in their first European Grand Prix tour in 1974.
Photo courtesy of the USET Foundation
in Pappy’s life before Buddy
— including legendary figures
such as Meredith McLaughlin
and Joey Darby. I was honored
to speak with some of Buddy’s
teammates and colleagues,
including my childhood idols
George Morris, Michael Matz
and Robert Ridland. Through
this research, I learned a great
deal about Pappy’s lineage and
his early years, his personality
and quirks, and the hard work
and determination that he and
Buddy expended on their way
to success. While it was difficult
to do all this while working
full time (I work as a financial
services writer during the day),
it was worth every late night
and early morning spent at the
computer or delving through old
newspaper clippings.
Pappy’s life story has
taught me many important
lessons – the value of trust
and determination, the power
of a true bond between a
horse and human, and the fact
that anything is possible with
courage and heart. And while
I never was able to see or
“meet” this truly special horse
in person, I feel honored to be
able to tell his story. Through
the book, this special horse
continues to bring happiness
to people, just as he did in life.
Those who remember him are
able to reminisce about an era
gone by, and young people who had never heard of him
can be inspired by his great heart. In the process, I’ve
gained many wonderful friends, including the Brown family,
Pappy’s original owner Meredith McLaughlin, his groom
Jimmy Herring and others. Interestingly, my connection
with Sandsablaze has come full circle — beginning and
ending within the pages of a book.
Since its release, Sandsablaze’s book has already
received many wonderful reviews. I’ve juggled calls and
emails from various people who have already read the
book, including the legendary George Morris himself, who
described it as “a fascinating and most factual account” of
Buddy and Sandsablaze. I’m looking forward to enjoying
the success of the book in the months to come, and,
most of all, being an instrument by which people will learn
about this amazing animal. I’m also hopeful that, at some
point, Sandsablaze will gain his rightful place in the Show
Jumping Hall of Fame. A noble horse like Sandsablaze
deserves nothing less.
To learn more about the book and read an excerpt,
please visit
About the writer: Kimberly Gatto is the author of 14 published books thus
far and has written for several horse magazines. She lives in Massachusetts
and is the proud owner of a Thoroughbred and a Welsh pony.
