Shanda has always had a passion for animals, especially horses. . .
.
She took English riding lessons as a little girl, went
to horse camp and owned her first horse in 8th grade.
Her family moved to Sugar Land, TX in 1978. She attended college at Stephen F. Austin, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in
1983. She started her first career at a small advertising agency in Houston, quickly realizing that was not a career "fit" for her, although that is how she met her husband, so it was certainly
the universe's plan! She then worked at an art gallery called Shelby Fine Arts, representing nationally and internationally known artists. She got married in 1986, worked in sales at Dale
Carnegie training, and then began getting her real estate license in 1989, while pregnant with their first child. She began her 26+ year carrer in real estate with her mom and brother, forming
"The Baker Team," while raising 3 wonderful children!
Shanda was "out of horses" for 23 years while in life's journey of
college, career, marriage and starting a family. Finally, in 2000, she introduced her oldest daughter, Kelsey, to horses and was thrilled to see that she had the "horse gene" too! They
began taking riding lessons together at Southern Breeze Equestrian Center and began sharing an incredible mother/daughter bond through the love of horses! In 2001, Shanda bought a 15 year old
bay Appendix named Blackjack. He was a great source of pride, learning and love for the next 9 years. Her youngest daughter, Mackenzie, also started riding/showing at age 9. So, now
she had both of her daughters immersed in the horse world! Sadly, in May 2010, their horse Blackjack had to be put down at age 24 because of a broken leg. She knew healing would come from
giving her love and attention to another horse, so she began the search for her next equine partner. And in November 2010, she and Kelsey found a beautiful, 16.1, 7 year old, dark
bay