Sandra Nelson's Madison Avenue Morgans show and breeding program is the culmination of decades of preparation, education and motivation to own the best. Sandra's love of horses began in her early childhood, when she realized her dream of owning a horse at the tender age of 11. Pre-teen years were spent under the guidance of trainer Billy Harris, who coached her in stock seat equitation, showmanship, western pleasure and trail. Her next trainer through high school years was Jimmy Williams, in the years before he reached his greatest fame in the hunter/jumper world. Later, Sandra would return to Billy Harris during college to continue to pursue her stock horse endeavors.

After a 15 year hiatus spent in the corporate world and raising a family as a single mother, Sandra returned to show horses in the hunter/jumper venue as an owner in 1987. However, her love of fine Quarter Horses brought her back in 1993 to the ring in trail, western riding and western pleasure at the highest level in this extremely competitive breed.

In 1999, Sandra's future daughter-in-law happened to have a mother who also loved horses--Morgan Horses. Coincidentally, this connection brought Sandra to the doorstep of Dragonfire. Sandra was introduced to the Morgan world by Cheron Laboissonniere and her daughter, Jennifer McFall, who put her up on the wonderful western champion, Dancity Martial Art. A radical change from the western pleasure she had grown up riding, Sandra asked Jennifer to find her a Morgan western pleasure prospect. With Sandra's long commute to her Quarter Horse trainer, riding closer to home was very appealing. Jennifer acquired NKS So Fine for Sandra, who went on to become the 2002 World Junior Exhibitor 14-17 Western Pleasure Champion. She also chose Century Oaks Make My Day as a future hunter pleasure prospect, but "Harry" grew into an outstanding dressage horse who now enjoys competing and excelling in the open dressage arena.

One of Sandra's next Morgan purchases in late 2004 was the great World Champion Hunter Pleasure mare, UVM Columbine. The purchase of Columbine inspired a new train of thought directed to breeding fine World Champion Morgan Hunters and Western Pleasure horses. From hobby owner to breeder, Phase 1 started coming together early in 2005 with the addition of Dragonfire Nefertiti, Briar Oaks Pep In My Step, and Movado. Sandra Nelson Quarter Horses became Sandra Nelson Show Horses, which transformed quickly into Madison Avenue Morgans as Sandra phased completely out of the Quarter Horse world in 2005 and moved fully into Morgans.

In less than a year, Sandra had put together an impressive group of horses to form the genesis of her show and breeding program. By her own admission, Sandra has become a total fan of Morgan Horses--a true believer. As of October 2007, Sandra has acquired a total of 20 Morgan Horses with six new foals expected in 2008.

For questions about Madison Avenue Morgans, please contact Earl or Jennifer McFall at Dragonfire, 916-687-4888, or by e-mail.