Our Horses: Starbright
Acorn, Aspen, Athena, Beryl, Blackhawk, Cedar, Chaparral, Daisy, Everest, First Star, Hickory, Honey Girl, Jade, Jasper, Joyee, Juniper, Navajo, Onyx, Pearl, Pepper, Pinon, Raven, Sapphire, Sequoia, Springtime, Starbright, Teak, Teton, Tiger Eye, Topaz, Vaquero, Wild Sweet William, and Zoey
Starbright, from the Goshute Herd near Wendover, Utah, was the first Mustang Mary Lee adopted. She was part of a late roundup due to the starvation conditions of the range in 1996. She was small, rough, and wooly and it was hard to tell what she really looked like. Starbright was a weanling and she would bury herself in the circle of forty other muddy little weanlings that were eating hay. It was difficult to even be able to read the number on her tag. I was looking for smaller horses, initially, because I needed children's jumping horses. Every once in a while I'd catch a glimpse of this cute, tiny, filly dodging in and out of the herd and keeping her distance from people along the panels. Even though she was muddy and rough she was still the cutest little thing. She had a darling little head and I knew she was destined to become a part of the Windhorse Show Team.
Her first experience with people was with one of my students, Kate, who would share her bagels with Starbright. This was the beginning of her interest in and willingness to be with children.
Starbright began her career last summer as a Medium Childrens' Hunter. She loves to jump and has led her companions, many times, on gallops around Brighton Meadows, jumping in and out of the arena as well as over other fences.
Currently, Starbright is being ridden by McKenna, a nine year old girl with Olympic dreams. This summer they will be reaching new heights and hopefully with some funding Starbright will learn her flying lead changes and their showing career will be off on to a great start.
2009 Update:
Starbright has become incredibly solid over fences and in every other aspect of refined riding. She is always the first choice for children taking lessons. However, since she is so stunning in the big arena, jumping advanced courses is her primary job. She does take breaks doing some M.E.E.T. programs for special groups, and is the perfect companion for those needing extra confidence from a kind heart.
A young up-and-coming equestrian, Kate Pederson, is riding Starbright in the advanced Buckaroo group. Starbright loves to jump bigger fences and Kate's eyes get pretty big at times, but over they go!
