“She was a horsewoman through and through, to her core, and every moment we got to spend with her made us better horsewomen and better people. She was a class act.”
Horses were the focal point of Sandy Lobel’s life. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Lobel)
That’s how Sandra Nagro Lobel was remembered by a former student, Elizabeth Blaisdell, as she reminisced following the trainer’s death on Wednesday.
Sandy, 78, had been fighting cancer but was still very involved in her profession, guiding the careers of amateur riders and the show hunter, Cypress. Elizabeth who started working with Sandy in her youth, said Sandy also helped her 11-year-old daughter, Ella, at the end of last year and into February.
“She instilled a sense of confidence in me. I think that comes from just good, old school horsemanship,” Elizabeth commented.
Sandy with Trendy, a favorite hunter. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Lobel)
The daughter of legendary horseman Clarence Nagro, who ran Hilltop Stable in New Vernon, N.J., Sandy had the same feel for a horse as he did.
It was obvious that the apple didn’t fall far from that tree.
She spent much of her life in New Jersey. Sandy operated under the Ravens Wood Farm name in Bedminster before moving to Ocala, Fla. Wherever she went, she made an impression.
“Sandy could be fierce, but she was also fiercely loving and loyal,” recalled Jazz Johnson Merton.
“She taught me how to persevere. `Stop saying I can’t’–she must have said this to me a thousand times. As a coach and a friend, she insisted that I was made up of more than I knew. ”
Sandy with Jazz Johnson Merton. (Hoofprints Photo)
Sandy had a reputation for energy and dynamism.
“Never circle, keep moving forward, never give up. She rode this way, taught this way and fought this way until the very end,” Jazz observed.
“Sandy loved deeply even when she didn’t show it, and she will be loved and missed by us all, always. ”
Sandy’s son, Aaron, noted, “She was a very strong woman. I admired her strength.
“I’ve never seen anyone as compassionate toward animals the way she was; she would stop and rescue a mouse off the side of the road. She taught me how to bring back baby birds that fell out of the nest.”
Sandy with her son, Aaron Lobel. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Lobel)
Bethie Walters Dayton called Sandy “a very kind person. She would always help people out. Somebody in need? She was the first one to give them what they needed.”
Anna Ross, who worked for Sandy for 45 years, said “She was like my second mother. I learned a lot from her. She was amazing. She loved animals and they loved her. She could get a combination of a horse and rider to the top levels.”
Charlotte Thall, who rode with Sandy for 28 years, said “she was a huge part of my life, both in and out of the ring.”
Sandy with Lilly Thall in the leadline at Devon. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Lobel)
“She was an amazing horsewoman and teacher,” commented Elizabeth Devor, who rode with Sandy for 10 years.
In addition to Aaron, Sandy is survived by her brother, John Nagro; a niece, Patty Nagro, and a nephew, Michael Nagro.
A celebration of her life will be held in Ocala at a date to be determined. Plans call for a perpetual trophy to be presented in her memory at a hunter event, perhaps with a donation from that event to go to a charity.
In the meantime, those who wish to make a contribution in her memory may do so for Danny & Ron’s Rescue at this link.
