SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Monday, November 07 2016 / Published in Sidelines Spotlight

Sasscer Hill — Racing Is In Her Genes Murder Mysteries Inspired by Life on the Racetrack

 

 

Sasscer Hill

Sasscer Hill

By Katie Navarra

Portraits by Isabel J. Kurek

Nikki Latrelle’s life is so exciting she sounds like a character from the pages of a book. And that’s because she is a character — one that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

In her story, jockey Nikki Latrelle gets the chance of a lifetime: to ride the favorite horse in a stakes race. Her dream is destroyed when a mysterious intruder kills her mount the night before the race. Evil is at work at Maryland’s Laurel Park racetrack, and when Nikki stumbles over the body of a gunshot victim, she quickly becomes the prime suspect in a murder case. Framed and facing a possible murder rap, Nikki is ruled off the track.

Nikki Latrelle may be a fictional character found in author Sasscer Hill’s books, but the details describing Nikki’s daily experiences are often true-to-life descriptions of day-to-day life in Thoroughbred racing.

“Horse racing is a real inspiration for writing mysteries — the risk, the beauty, the speed, the endless opportunities for skullduggery and the extraordinary Upstairs Downstairs quality of the characters who inhabit the life,” said Sasscer, who lives in Aiken, South Carolina.

And there’s no one who knows the intimacy of Thoroughbred racing better than Sasscer. She’s been closely involved with the industry for more than 30 years as a jockey, breeder, owner and trainer.

Sasscer’s love of horses has greatly influenced her writing.

Sasscer’s love of horses has greatly influenced her writing.

An Early Start With Horses

Most children learn to ride aboard a beloved pony. Not Sasscer.

“My father didn’t like horses and considered ponies dangerous,” she said. So instead, she snuck rides on a 2,000-pound Belgian plow horse. “I drummed my heels on the mare’s sides while grasping whatever rope I managed to tie to her halter.”

Although Sasscer was upset by the loss of her father when she was 16 years old, the situation brought her into the horse industry. The wealthy horseman Alfred H. Smith Sr. took her under his wing. Alfred owned the two-time Eclipse Steeplechase Champion Tuscalee, and he and his family often took Sasscer to the races. He gave her an ex-steeplechase horse to foxhunt, which inspired a decades-long career as a steeplechase jockey.

She raced at the point-to-points at the many hunt clubs in Maryland and Virginia. As an amateur rider, she raced at Wicomico, Marlborough, Middleburg, Iron Bridge and Potomac. Her favorite win came over the timber fences at Potomac in 1986.

“The Smith family taught me so much about horses, riding, foxhunting and racing. They bred horses at their home, Blythewood, and watching those leggy foals develop into big, awe-inspiring race horses branded me for life,” she said.

She left Maryland for 10 years to attend college and strike out on her own. In 1979, she married and moved home to her family’s farm, Pleasant Hills, in Maryland. She bought her first broodmare, Swimming Home. Over the years, she continued steeplechase riding while building a breeding program, which produced 17 foals. Many of those foals went on to be winners at tracks like Laurel, Pimlico, Colonial Downs, Charlestown and Delaware Park.

Though there were many horses that made her proud, the colt For Love And Honor (Not For Love x In Her Honor) held a special place in her heart. “I pulled the colt out of his mother and used to long line him all over the farm as a yearling,” she said.

She sold him at a Fasig-Tipton auction as a 2-year-old in training and he went on to win $418,000 racing in New York at Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct. “I watched every race he ever ran and his career became part of my identity. He made me so proud,” she said.

Sasscer lives in Aiken, South Carolina, where she spends her time writing and riding.

Sasscer lives in Aiken, South Carolina, where she spends her time writing and riding.

In The Genes
As a teenager, Sasscer was unaware of her family’s centuries-old connection to Thoroughbred racing. It wasn’t until her aunt, her father’s sister, told her that a love of racing was part of her family’s heritage. “She gave me the genealogy chart that proved I’m a direct descendant of Samuel Ogle, the last Colonial governor of Maryland,” Sasscer said.

Samuel brought the first racehorse to America from England. The mare’s name was Queen Mab, and she became the foundation mare of his stable. He loved the sport of Thoroughbred racing and introduced it to North America, staging the first English-style race at Annapolis, Maryland, in 1745.

He founded Belair Stud, a stable that continued to operate for more than 200 years, and produce such famous runners as Triple Crown winners Gallant Fox and Omaha, as well as exceptional horses like Nashua and Johnstown.

Sasscer never considered her small Maryland breeding operation the continuation of a family legacy. It was simply something she loved.

Riding And Writing
In 1994, herniated discs forced Sasscer out of the saddle. Later, the stock market and Maryland racing crash of 2008 forced her out of the business.

“When I moved to Aiken, I was horseless but wanted to see if I could ride a slow and sensible horse without too much pain. I paid for a trail ride in the Hitchcock Woods and when I climbed on a big Belgian-Thoroughbred cross, I felt like I’d come home,” she said.

Some Aiken friends let her ride their Paso Finos and another friend let her ride a wonderful 17.3-hand Thoroughbred-Warmblood cross that’s both kind and quiet. “He’s heaven,” she said.

Though her time in the saddle is limited, Sasscer draws upon her memories while crafting scenes for her murder mystery series featuring Nikki Latrell.

After some back problems, Sasscer is happy to be back in the saddle. Photo courtesy of Sasscer Hill

After some back problems, Sasscer is happy to be back in the saddle. Photo courtesy of Sasscer Hill

“Writing makes me feel complete. When the writing goes well and I’m in the zone creating good scenes, anything that’s wrong in my life becomes unimportant,” she said.

Although it’s great to earn a little money on royalties, she finds it far more gratifying when one of her stories touches a reader’s heart. “One woman wrote to me that she’d been going through a really hard time in her life and my book helped her get through it,” she said.

Thanks to the readers who enjoy the page-turning, exciting life of her characters, in June 2015, Sasscer signed a two-book contract with New York publisher St. Martin’s Press for a new series featuring Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau agent Fia McKee. The first in the series, Flamingo Road will debut in March 2017. The second novel with the working title The Dark Side of Town is completed, and Sasscer will soon start a third in the series.

Flamingo Road has received rave endorsements from New York Times best-selling authors Tami Hoag and Margaret Maron, among others. The Dark Side of Town won the Carrie McCray 2015 Competition for First Chapter of a Novel, and was a runner-up for the 2015 Claymore Award nomination.

To follow along in her adventures, check out Sasscer’s website, SasscerHill.com, and her Sasscer Hill Facebook page.

About the writer: Katie Navarra is a professional writer based in Upstate New York. She has been a lifelong horse lover and competes in ranch horse events with her dun Quarter Horse mare.

 

 

 

 

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: racing katie navarra, sasscer hill

What you can read next

Morningside: USEF Elite Training Center
Changing Lives by Jumping for a Just World
Jennifer Mack’s Contemporary Fine Art

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
It's finally Spring🌷🌻☀️! Get your barn s It's finally Spring🌷🌻☀️! Get your barn set up with a Pyranha SprayMaster Misting System. 
✅Provides whole barn insect control! 
✅Easy to install with basic tools!
✅Electric pump & programmable automatic timer!

Get yours today!
@pyranhalife

#pyranhalife #madeintheusa #pyranha #equestrian #horselife #horselifestyle #barncare
Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

#dressage #equestrian #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #dressagehorse #equestrianlife #showjumping #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #instahorse #dressur #horselove #eventing #equestrianstyle #cheval #dressagerider #horselife #horselover #pferde #love #riding #jumping #pferdeliebe #horseofinstagram #horsebackriding #paard #dressurpferd
We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

 ✨ALVESTA OWAIN✨
Thistledown Arctic Lore x Alvesta Fairy Lustre
13.1hh, Welsh section B
Stud Fee $750 (plus collection)
AI only and EVA negative
Fairfield, VA

Contact Cheryl Maye at (703) 431-9096 for more information
https://www.mayeshowponies.com/more-info/stallions

You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

📸  SAS Equestrian
‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️ The purpose of this ‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️

The purpose of this month’s column is to help the young equestrians of our sport develop and maintain healthy friendships within the industry. Cultivating healthy relationships with other members within the industry is not as easy as one may think. As a young equestrian, it may be difficult navigating friendships at the barn and at horse shows. Typically, kids have friendships within the barn they ride at but also friendships with others from different barns in their area. 

Initially, it may seem as though making other friends in the sport would be easy and ideal; after all, there is the common interest of horses. However, because of the natural therapeutic benefits of horses, the sport has a history of attracting all types of people, with a wide range of personalities. This can be both an advantage and a drawback. We are now in an era that acknowledges the growing need to discuss and manage one’s mental health. 

One thing I have learned is that we are likely to notice mental health challenges at an age younger than most people may think. Some of the friendship dynamics I have observed over the years have caused me to pause and really think about the future of our sport. Without looking for a source to blame for the cause of this, i.e. social media, parents, school, teachers, etc., I think if all adults involved worked to encourage, affirm, love, and respect our youth, the likelihood of them developing authentic friendships with their peers may increase.

Both humans and horses were designed to have connected relationships. These relationships allow a greater sense of security when one experiences challenges in life. Cultivating the quality and authenticity of these relationships requires intentional work. 

Thank you Rob for providing your helpful insight on developing healthy relationships. Check out his tips in his column you can find in the link in our bio.
Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine🦄 

Photo by Blenheim Equisports

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #sidelinesmagzine
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • Old Spring Manor
    Old Spring Manor White Hall, Maryland Young Welsh Ponies Fitting + Training + Sales oldspringmanor@gmail.com www.oldspringmanor.com 561-797-9199-Shelly

    [Read more]

  • THE RIDGE/NONA GARSON
    Hunter/Jumper/Equitation/Training/Sales USEF & Schooling Horse Shows New Jersey & Wellington, Florida Locations 908-236-9864 ridgeshows@aol.com www.ridgeshowjumping.com

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island
  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Will Coleman Retains Yanmar America CCI4*-S Lead in Dramatic Show Jumping at Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International
  • First edition of the World Sport Horse Sales was a hit with $410.000 for the most expensive horse
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp Takes Third Victory in $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce’s Field

Category

Recent Posts

  • April 2023 – Table of Contents

    Subscribe for just $9.95 or Order Individual Is...
  • Building a Bond With a New Horse

    By Margie Sugarman I just bought a new horse. I...
  • Developing Healthy Relationships With Your Barnmates

    By Rob Jacobs The purpose of this month’s colum...
  • The Value of Self-Coaching

    By Liz Halliday-Sharp The sport of eventing is ...
  • Unbridled With Annette Longenecker

    By Britney Grover  Annette Longenecker wasn’t j...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!