TSB is incredibly lucky to publish books by some of the most incredible athletes, coaches, trainers, and experts in the world. Because our list, while bound by the common theme of HORSES, represents a diverse field of interests and backgrounds, our authors often live very different lives. Luckily, many are willing to give us a peek into what it’s like being in their shoes for a day! Paralympian and motivational speaker Sydney Collier, author of the memoir BEYOND EXPECTATIONS (with cowriter Heather Wallace), recently shared one of her typical days as a high level equestrian competitor, where there is some adulting, a demanding service dog, and plenty of super positive “horse girl energy”!
6:15 AM—Wake up **TWO HOURS** before any alarm because a 60-pound bed hog named Logan is slowly pushing me off the bed. Today might be the day he finally takes over the bed for good.
6:15–8:00 AM—Desperately trying not to wake up my housemate as I lie in bed, petting the furry tyrant who has apparently declared himself king of the mattress.
8:00 AM—Time to officially start the day with some oatmeal, yogurt, and a good ol' cup of bean juice—because without coffee, who are we, really?
8:30 AM—Logan's turn to eat! Confession: This is an exercise in saint-like patience. Any *normal* dog would happily eat kibble from a bowl. But nooo, not Logan. He requires a 5-star hand-feeding experience.
Thirty minutes later, His Royal Highness is finally satisfied. Who said service dogs were low-maintenance?
But he’s worth it...even when he tries to evict me from my own bed.
9:00–10:00 AM—Time to clock in for some work! I’m doing my thing at Ecovet, a natural fly spray company, while simultaneously training for LA 2028!
10:00 AM—Off to the gym! I work out three times a week, focusing on symmetry, strength, and trying not to trip over dumbbells.
I secretly love when a workout kicks my butt—makes conquering it even sweeter. Same goes for riding: there's nothing like piecing together a great ride after a challenge. It's like my personal puzzle, except with more sweat and fewer cute kittens.
11:00 AM—Quick lunch break! Fueling up for my favorite part of the day...
1:00 PM—**BARN TIME**! This is where I get to fully embrace my horse girl energy. And let’s be real, I’m probably "accidentally" stalling so I don’t have to deal with real-life stuff.
They definitely… *don’t* have to pry me out of the saddle everyday😂
You know the vibe.
Cuddles with Beebs and sneaking her some Ritz crackers is the true high point
3:00 PM—Back to the apartment, and yes, it’s work time again. Adulting is a thing, apparently.
4:30 PM—Time to feed Logan again. The prince awaits.
5:00 PM—Finally, some R&R! Logan gets his "Nest" (yes, we named it), and we curl up on the couch for some TV time. He *might* still be plotting bed domination, but I try not to think about it.
6:30 PM—Dinner prep time! If my cooking skills were a TV show, it’d be called "Nailed It!"—but like, the *first* episode. Just kidding!
Or am I?
The world may never know!
7:00 PM—Dinner! If I haven’t burned anything, we call it a win.
8:00 PM—Time to take my meds. Keeping it responsible, folks!
9:00 PM—I’m not a night owl, so I start winding down.
9:00–9:30 PM—Social media scrollathon or binge-watching random videos. You know, *self-care*.
9:30 PM—Officially time to hit the hay…unless Logan beats me to it.
Trafalgar Square Books, the industry authority in equestrian publishing, is a small business based on a farm in rural Vermont.