Trafalgar Square published its first horse book—Centered Riding by Sally Swift—in 1985, and the book—now translated into 14 languages and sold all over the world—remains one of the best-selling horse books of all time. It was this book that provided the spark that led Trafalgar Square’s owners, Caroline and Ted Robbins, to start up a horse book publishing business.

Why horse books? Because the Robbins were, and still are, horse lovers and owners. Today they raise Scottish Highland cattle and keep horses on their farm in North Pomfret, Vermont—an effort that coexists with the book publishing business, which occupies part of the farmhouse and one of the barns on the property. Since its modest beginnings in 1985, Trafalgar Square has published over 200 horse books and its list continues to grow, incorporating titles on all types of riding and all areas of equestrian sport: Western riding; dressage; jumping; reining; trail riding; health care and management; driving, trick training, eventing, endurance riding, groundwork, liberty work, and in-hand training; horse psychology; rider fitness; and more. Besides books, Trafalgar Square has released a fine selection of instructional DVDs with the intention of providing quality educational viewing for horse lovers, as well as entertainment.

Trafalgar Square is very proud of its many talented authors. Those who have joined the Trafalgar Square list over the years include: Clinton Anderson, Jane Savoie, Linda Tellington-Jones, Sandy Collier, William Steinkraus, Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, Mary Wanless, Lynn Palm, Arthur Kottas-Heldenberg, Conrad Schumacher, Rick Lamb, Sylvia Loch, Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling, Betsy Steiner, Kyra Kyrklund, Geoff Teall, Ryan Gingerich, Alois Podhajsky and Denny Emerson, to name but a few.

Besides its own publications, Trafalgar Square also is the exclusive United States distributor of the highly respected British equestrian publisher, J.A. Allen, Ltd.

Trafalgar Square owes its success to a small group of highly dedicated individuals, all of whom count horses as an important part of their life, past and present.

---

Caroline Robbins, Publisher

Caroline Robbins has been involved in the book publishing world in one form or another for 50 years. After an early career in London and New York City, where she worked for publishers and literary agents, Caroline and her husband, Ted, made their year-round home in Vermont in 1971, when Caroline began a successful British book distribution business and Ted set up his medical practice. Both avid riders, Caroline and Ted met Sally Swift when she taught them on their farm, and so a new idea was born. With her knowledge and experience in publishing, Caroline was the natural choice to help bring Sally’s book to life, and it became the genesis of the horse book program. Today Caroline continues to edit projects with a careful eye, always with the intention of delivering instructional material that is correct, clear, easy to implement in your own barn and riding arena, and above all, safe and for the good of the horse. Caroline and Ted own four horses (and board several more); a large nationally recognized, prize-winning herd of Scottish Highland cattle; five African geese, who for 16 years have been led by the gander Braveheart; two Hungarian Vizslas (Lazslo and Bartok); and a vocal Siamese (Jasper).

---

Martha Cook, Managing Director

Martha Cook began as a publicity assistant with Caroline’s British book distribution business right after graduating from Mount Holyoke College. It was Centered Riding and Martha’s acquaintance with Sally Swift that inspired her to apply for a job at the publishing company. Over time, Martha spent less time with the British books and more time collaborating with Caroline acquiring and publishing equestrian titles. Now she runs daily operations and handles contracts, print buying, rights, and participates with promotion and marketing. Martha started riding at the age of five and got her first horse, a too-green, four-year-old Morgan mare at age twelve. Throughout high school and college she worked summers at breeding and training farms—riding, driving, training, and assisting with the breeding programs. Today she owns two Morgan geldings—Meadowinds Marksman and Townshend Tradewind and rides as much as time allows.

Contact Martha Cook: mcook@sover.net

 

---

Rebecca Didier, Senior Editor and Graphic Designer

Rebecca Didier joined Trafalgar Square in 2002 as an editorial assistant. Today she manages authors and the editorial process on all titles and provides all in-house copy and design. Rebecca started riding at the age of five, had her first “muck job” at age ten, and earned her first pony shortly thereafter. She explored riding in both English and Western saddles before focusing on eventing as a teenager. Most of the horses she has owned have been “problem” horses or green projects, of all different breeds, and her “herd” numbered as many as six at one time—including an Appaloosa, Thoroughbred, Hanoverian, Morgan-Quarter Horse cross, Anglo-Arab, and two precocious Miniature Horses. Today Rebecca rides whenever she can, and is waiting for her next project horse (and hacking buddy) to appear.

Contact Rebecca Didier: rdidier@sover.net

 

 

---

Kim Cook, Marketing Director and Craft Editor {photo to come}

Kim Cook has been with Trafalgar Square for 17 years, starting as a Publicity Assistant in 1993. Working her way to Special Sales and Publicity Manager, she oversaw all special sales accounts and the review and publicity process. In 2006 she became the Marketing Director for all Trafalgar Square’s books and Craft Editor for the company’s craft list. Kim grew up in a small town known for its horse population, and she had horses as a kid. Her best childhood friend lived on Huntington Farm where Sally Swift started teaching Centered Riding, so she was in the midst of the horse culture from a young age. She rides on occasion now, but spends more time honing the craft and gardening skills she inherited from her mother and grandmother. Kim has two toddler granddaughters, one who is expressing great interest in horses.

Contact Kim Cook: kimcook@sover.net

 

 

---

Julie Beaulieu, Promotions Director {photo to come}

Julie Beaulieu recently joined Trafalgar Square as Promotions Director after 14 years as the Director of Product Marketing at The Equine Network (currently AIM Equine Network). While at the Equine Network she was responsible for the production and publishing of The Equine Network’s books and DVDs, including the bestsellers John Lyon’s Bringing Up Baby; Lendon Gray’s Lessons with Lendon; Holly Hugo-Vidal’s Build Confidence Over Fences; and Leslie Webb’s Build a Better Athlete. In addition she handled all print and online marketing of books and DVDs on HorseBooksEtc.com, as well as trade show management. Julie received her first horse from Santa when she was 10 and has had horses ever since. She hunted with the Myopia Hunt Club when Neil Ayer was the Master. She now spends time with her OTTB, Toastie, and Spritely, a Selle Francais/ Thoroughbred cross.

Contact Julie Beaulieu: TrafalgarSquareBooks@comcast.net