Distance Riding Partners.
I found Star via the Internet at Sand Creek stables in Meeker, Okla. There, Lisa Herman told me he was perfect for me. I wasn't too sure. He was scruffy and had a bad attitude, but something told me to take a chance on him. Turns out, Lisa was right. Star and I have had our ups and downs, but we're gaining miles and experience and some ribbons and kudos along the way. He's turning out to be one of my best equine friends ever.
We're not setting the distance world on fire, but we've passed the 1,000 mile mark, including competitive trail, endurance and limited distance and are working on 1,500 miles. Those miles include a first and two seconds at CTR, and a couple of top 10s in LD, where we were second for best condition. Not bad for an overweight, middle-aged woman with a horse that some thought was unrideable.
Star turns 19 in this spring of 2006, but he's not showing any signs of slowing down. He will however get a bit of competition for my attention from my up and comer, BRA Dafina Alimar, "Ali."
My passion for horses is supported by my passion for the written word. I manage a nonprofit association and do freelance writing to help support my horse habit! My endurance stories have appeared in Western Horseman, April 1999; Midwest SportHorse Journal, spring 2000; and Today's Horse, June 2000. I also teach distance riding lessons to beginners.
Star has the "prophet's thumbprint." 
This is supposed to be a lucky mark. The legend has it that the prophet astride his best war mare was fleeing his enemies. He was wounded in battle and slumped down over the horse's neck, hanging on to her neck, leaving an impression of his thumb in her neck.
Later, when she had a foal, the foal also had the mark of Allah on his neck.
At age 18, in the fall of 2005, Star still has plenty of "go"
Me and Star, March 2005, at the Hillsdale Lake trails. We had taken an endurance rider from Saudi Arabia out for a quick 12 miles! 
My favorite vantage point. I see a lot of the world from between Star's ears! 
