My Stallion, My Star.

Welcome to my world. A world of spotted bottoms, with endless colours shapes and sizes.

I am introducing you to my blanket appaloosa stallion Blue Star. My friend, confidant and protector.

Blue was purchased at 17 months old, out of a field at the side of the motorway in Birmingham, England. He wasn't my first choice but my husband fell in love with him. Being willing to compromise, and knowing the extent I would need my husbands help with a new colt about, I bought him.

It was my intention to produce Blue and then sell him on as a western riding prospect, but all good plans go astray. He is now 22 years old and no amount of money would encourage me to sell him. He is quite simply, one of the most important men in my life.

Standing a mere 15.2hh he isn't the most majestic of horses but he knocks socks off the others with his temperament. Whilst other stallions are kicking off in the show ring or at stallion parades, Blue welcomes his visitors with a gentle nuzzlle of pockets seeking mints. He is very much the performer in the ring, great presence for a small stallion. Arched neck and the cry of a bull elephant. He prances at my side, but that is the point, never over my head or in front of me.

Blue and I have come a long way since I bought that scruffy looking colt from that field twenty years ago. Blue has been placed 1st or 2nd in every discipline he enters. He has never been a champion, except in my eyes. But he is my friend. He has bred many beautiful foals, most of whom have won in the show ring, and more importantly he is a good ambassador for his breed.

Blue plays football in his field with my son Craig, he shadow boxes the cattle and with mum, me, he stands guard over me in the field whilst I read my book. Craig rides him in bareback with head collar and lead rope from the field, although he shouts his arrival he stays calm whilst Craig is on him. His stable manners are to be admired being more receptive to commands than most geldings I know. He is a true gentleman.

You are wrong in thinking that such an equine God doesn't exist, but he does. It hasn't always been like this and we have had a few battles of will over the years. I have been bitten and kicked by him, like the time I walked behind him whilst he was eating his feed in the stable. Who's fault was that? Mine. Or the time I was wearing perfume whilst grooming him, again who's fault was that? Mine. Blue is a horse who knows he is loved, he is extremely well looked after. Normally receiving a new winter rug before I buy a new coat. But what he gives me in return is so much more.

Taking him to shows is a pleasure, but he wont load for the return journey for anyone except mum. I have to be with him so he knows he is returning with me. If he is poorly and feeling sorry for himself, who does he look for to rest his head on? I can not see my life without Blue in it.

He has his moments and can be very stubborn, like the time a prospective breeder wanted to see him ridden and he would not move a muscle for me, but just stood resting a leg watching the birds overhead. You could almost see him smile. Or the time it was raining and he had a rather large mare to cover, but wouldn't come out of his stable until the rain had passed, only to take one look at the mare and run back to his stable again. We had to put the mare in a hole eventually before he would cover her. Or the time he jumped out of the paddock and ran to visit a neighbour. He was chased back again by six big burly men with sticks, only for my eighty two year old dad to walk to the gate, catch his head collar and to the amazement of the six men, proceed to walk him very quietly back to his stable.

Blue is a horse in a million and I am so lucky to share my life with him. He should be featured in a book, and will be, as soon as my other project is completed.