About Us

Welcome to Iowa Valley Carriage. 

Iowa Valley Carriage is a single proprietor business that has been in operation to serve the equine driver since 1993.  What started out as a folding table full of brass appointments at one of the early Villa Louis Carriage Classic Shows has grown to a full time business that is one of the most respected carriage businesses in the United States.

Sandee has an extensive history with horses.  In the 70'2 and 80's she showed spotted Arab/Saddlebred horses that specialized in pleasure driving at the Pinto shows.  She raised, trained and showed Pintos that earned Pinto's national and state awards, including Iowa's 8th Supreme Champion.

Having tired of the breed ring she organized Iowa's first pleasure driving club and enjoyed many miles of picnic and pleasure drives with her Pinto mares. 

As her interest in driving grew, Sandee discovered the wagon trains and drove her mare on several of them.  Also about this time she met and drove for some of the commercial carriage operators in Iowa. Her experienced here included commercial carriage rides in downtown Des Moines, driving a stage coach and trolley for a local rodeo, Christmas rides for many communities as well as a host of weddings and special events.

In addition to the driving, Sandee has a passion for trail riding and currently has a Fox Trotter and a Walking Horse, both of whom are spotted. 

  When she can get away for a weekend or a week she loves to travel to new trails and really likes the extreme style of "brush popp'in" off trail.

                  These experiences allow Sandee to be of help to the driver who  wants to compete in CDE style events, pleasure shows, wagon trains and the recreational driver.  

 Personal service is a top priority.  Sandee will always attempt to ship same or next day and works hard to ensure that her customers have a good experience with Iowa Valley Carriage and are suited with what they purchase. 

 Since Iowa Valley Carriage has grown and done so well, she is has been able to retire early from 36 years of teaching and be by the phone to take calls for folks who have questions about specific equipment.