Beyond Expectations - by Sydney Collier & Heather Wallace (Paperback)

About the Book

"For seven years, Sydney Collier enjoyed the life of a happy, active child, with caring parents and siblings. She remembers running through sprinklers and playing with neighborhood friends. And she fell in love with four-legged animals-especially horses. Her mom encouraged her to ride, and Sydney was good at it, finding herself at home in the saddle. Then a routine eye exam changed everything. Sydney had the incredibly rare Wyburn-Mason Syndrome, a congenital birth defect that causes arteriovenous malformations where the veins in the arteries don't separate as they should from the capillaries as they would in a healthy brain. The resulting "clumps" of veins and arteries have increased blood flow and a high risk of aneurysm, and they tend to affect the brain, eye, and facial structures. Less than 100 cases have been reported, according to the National Institute of Health, and the treatment remains controversial and prognosis uncertain. Most diagnoses in infants were confirmed by pathologists after death. Wyburn-Mason began to take an immediate toll on Sydney's body, first with its effect on her vision, and soon severe physical debilitation and excruciating migraines. As she and her family tried treatment after treatment, the only place where Sydney could escape the almost-constant pain for just a little while was on the back of a horse. A trip with her mother to the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, where Sydney had a chance to watch the sport of Para Dressage, would help turn what seemed an overwhelming tide of loss and suffering. A new goal was born: to become a competitor in the Paralympics, and to do it in partnership with the only thing that brought her peace and happiness-horses. This is the story of a brave young woman's journey from the doctors' offices to medal podiums, in her words. Anyone looking for a reason to believe that dreams can be realized, regardless of the odds, will find inspiration in these pages"--

Book Synopsis

An autobiography that captures a young athlete's battle with a devastating diagnosis and the courage and perseverance that has propelled her to the top of a Paralympic sport.

For seven years, Sydney Collier enjoyed the life of a happy, active child, with caring, supportive parents and siblings. She ran through sprinklers and played with neighborhood friends. And she fell in love with four-legged animals--especially horses. Her mother encouraged her to ride, and Sydney was good at it, finding herself at home in the saddle.

Then a routine eye exam changed everything.

Sydney had the incredibly rare Wyburn-Mason Syndrome, a congenital birth defect that causes arteriovenous malformations where the veins in the brain's arteries don't separate as they should from the capillaries. The resulting "clumps" of veins and arteries have increased blood flow and a high risk of aneurysm, and they tend to affect the brain, eye, and facial structures. Fewer than 100 cases of Wyburn-Mason Syndrome have been reported, according to the National Institute of Health, and its rarity means treatment remains controversial and prognosis uncertain. Most diagnoses in infants have been confirmed by pathologists after death.

Wyburn-Mason began to take an immediate toll on Sydney's body, first with its effect on her vision, and soon severe physical debilitation and excruciating migraines. Over the next eight years, as she and her family tried treatment after treatment, seeking some sort of hope, the only place where Sydney could escape the almost-constant pain for just a little while was on the back of a horse.

During a risky brain surgery in 2009, Sydney suffered a devastating and massive stroke, which inflicted a new level of disability, putting her in a wheelchair. Determined to ride horses again, Sydney entered a rehabilitation center and refused to give up on her goal of one day riding at the high-performance level for the United States. A year later, on a trip with her mother to the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, Sydney had a chance to watch the sport of Para Dressage, and that moment helped finally turn what seemed an overwhelming tide of loss and suffering. A new goal was born: to become a competitor in the Paralympics, and to do it in partnership with the only thing that brought her peace and happiness--horses.

This is the story of a brave young woman's journey from the doctors' offices to medal podiums, in her words. Anyone looking for a reason to believe that dreams can be realized, regardless of the odds, will find inspiration in these pages.

Review Quotes

"As a fellow rider, I have such admiration for Syd. And now after reading Beyond Expectations, I am so inspired by her story and facing seemingly insurmountable challenges both in and out of the saddle. Her story inspires us to ride toward the obstacles in life head on--and tackle them one jump at a time--much like she has also done so successfully in Paralympic competition." --Carson Kressley, Emmy-winning TV personality and World Champion equestrian

"I have known of Syd for quite a few years because of her equestrian accomplishments. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet through our mutual personal trainer in Wellington. I was always inspired by her cheerfulness and tenacity in her workouts. Because of this, I was honored and excited to be asked to be one of the first people to read her advanced copy of her memoir Beyond Expectations. I was curious about her story and her journey towards the successes she has had. Once I started, it was hard to put down. What I learned was that her ability to overcome adversity and her power of positivity was indeed 'Beyond Expectations.' Anyone who reads this memoir will be entertained by and relate to her humor and occasional self-mockery. However, the real lesson to take away is that positive thinking and determination can lead to dreams coming true." --Beezie Madden, Olympic Gold Medalist in Show Jumping, winner of two FEI World Cup Finals, four-time USEF Equestrian of the Year

"Sydney's journey will inspire and offer hope not only to people with disabilities but to anyone who has a dream. Through pure grit and determination, her life shows us that anything is possible, and nothing should hold you back from reaching your goals. This is an amazing read." --Ron Davis, Producer/ Director of the film ParaGold

"In her moving memoir, Sydney Collier takes us along on the challenging journey that has been her life and her experience as an athlete and an equestrian. I felt I was right beside her through both her trials and her triumphs. I encourage everyone to get to know this determined young woman. Her book is hard to put down." --Lendon Gray, two-time Olympian in Dressage, Founder of Dressage4Kids Inc., instructor, coach, and mentor

"Sydney Collier inspired us within the first two hours of meeting her. Her strength and courage, passion and dedication, happiness and positivity, and endless love toward horses has helped her achieve the goals she has wished and hoped for. She is an amazing young woman." --Beatrice Marienau, International FEI Dressage Competitor and Equestrian Sport Supporter and Michael Marienau, Equestrian Sport Supporter

"I first met Sydney Collier at a Paralympic qualifier in Houston, Texas, when she was 13 years old. I was immediately taken with her radiant and infectious positivity. She was like a breath of fresh air. I was utterly amazed.... It was the first time I truly understood what inspiration meant. Sydney is an immensely unique and special person, and the world can learn a lot from her." --Courtney King-Dye, Olympian, Para Rider, Blogger, and Author

"Sydney Collier's book, Beyond Expectations, is a gripping memoir, simultaneously heartwarming and heart wrenching. Sydney takes us on 'her ride' from childhood dreams of being an Olympian to the most terrifying battle with a deadly diagnosis. Her story is one of incredible resilience and passion for her sport as well as the amazing people and horses that helped save her life and forge her dreams!" --Robert Dover, Six-Time Olympian, Technical Advisor to the US Dressage Team 2013-2018, and Founder of the Equestrian Aid Foundation, and author of The Gates to Brilliance

"Reading Collier's story will humble you, make you cry and make you conscious of how much of the time the biggest obstacle you have to achieving your own dreams is simply yourself. Great read. Highly recommend." --Catskill Horse Magazine

About the Author

Shortly after Sydney Collier began riding at age seven, she was diagnosed with the rare Wyburn-Mason Syndrome, a life-threatening condition that causes arteries and veins to grow together causing vascular malformations (AVMs) in the brain. Years of experimental treatment and a resulting massive stroke took a toll on her body, but she never relinquished the dream of returning to the saddle and the sport that she loved. Her belief and perseverance earned her a spot on the US Para Dressage Team at age 16, and Sydney was the youngest competitor at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in France. At age 18, she won the 2016 US Para Dressage National Championships and became the youngest member in the 2016 Equestrian Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro as a part of Team USA, placing seventh overall in her division. In addition to her Paralympic goals, Sydney has dedicated her life to service and maintains a busy schedule that includes athletic training, equestrian training, guest speaking, volunteering, babysitting, and giving riding demonstrations at a variety of events. She is attending DeVry University on an Olympic scholarship, majoring in communication. Sydney has been awarded the FEI Against All Odds Award, USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year, and The Captain Andrew B. De Szinay Memorial Sportsman Trophy. She was featured in the 2022 feature documentary ParaGold, directed by Ron Davis, which follows the lives of four Paralympic equestrian hopefuls as they vie for a spot on the US Paralympic Dressage Team. Sydney is based in Millbrook, New York, where she is working to earn a place on the next team and help the USA stand on the medal podium.

Heather Wallace is the award-winning author of the books Confessions of a Timid Rider, Adulting with Horses, and Girl Forward: A Tale of One Woman's Unlikely Adventure in Mongolia. In addition, she publishes a popular blog called The Timid Rider and co-hosts the podcast Adulting with Horses. By day, Heather is a certified equine and canine sports massage therapist dedicated to helping animals holistically. She lives in New Jersey with her family, dogs, and horses.