Sandra Donnelly was born in Calgary, Alberta
and began riding almost as soon as she could walk. At five her first partner was an 11hh Welsh pony named Pollyanna. A year later the two of them started Pony Club. Sandra went on to get her A rating in Pony Club and throughout those years won many awards and championships, including Alberta Hunter Champion, Pony Champion at Northlands, 2nd individually at the National Pony Club Rally, and 1991 ASJA Modified Jumper Champion. In 1990 Sandra qualified two horses for NAYRC in both show jumping and eventing but was only permitted to take one. Following High School Sandra enrolled at U of C and obtained a Bachelor or Science in Mechanical Engineering, which led her to employment with TCPL.
After experiencing city life, Sandra decided to return to her passion and went to teach at Touchstone Farms in central Alberta for a winter before returning home to start her own business.
Sandra started out breaking colts, coaching, and training
at the family property near Kananaskis. In 1997 she collaborated on building a new facility with a 100×200 ft indoor arena and 25 box stalls. Since that time her business, Alborak Stable Inc., has been slowly growing into a thriving equestrian center providing lessons, training and preparation for sales horses. She has also developed a broodmare herd and produces warmblood sport horses specifically for eventing and jumping.
