Meet Starr

 I grew up in Cody, Nebraska where I worked with horses since I could walk, at home, on the ranch and in the Show Circuit. In the 90’s I was at most all of the Plains Quarter Horse Shows here in Nebraska, I also showed numerous AQHA shows. My mentors and teachers were my parents and my older sister who I always watched and tried to do as well as she did with the horses. I began learning about training horses and working with them when I was 13 years old when I went to work at Stewart Quarter Horses (Cody, Nebraska) Forrest and Cindy Stewart helped me start my first Colt when I was 17, that was when I realized how gratifying it is to work with a horse and mold them into horses that are soft, willing and hard working.
When I was 19 I Joined the United States Marine Corp. After boot camp I was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. They have a stables there and yes, I brought one of my horses with me.  I continued to ride and learn from everyone I met. It was at the Stables at Camp Pendleton where I first learned of SSgt Reckless, the namesake for the non-profit I am determined to start. When I deployed to Iraq, I couldn’t take “Cash” (my horse) with me, so he went to Colorado to live with my sister.
In 2006, the Marine Corp Medically retired me with 100% Compensation/Combat Disability, The bulk of this was/is PTSD. I spent about 10 years in a very dark place and it was not until 2013 when I reconnected with horses that I came back to life. One of my PTSD symptoms was being in a crowd and around people in general, I avoided both as much as possible and became very recluse.
With my competitive side, I wanted to get out and compete again, and in 2015 I forced myself to go to a open horse show. I kept to myself, rode my horse and walked away with that days High Point. Surprised I still had it in me, and realizing I could focus on my horse which allowed me to get back into society. Since that show, I have pushed myself to be better, get out more, form friendships and help others.
While the show ring in fun, I wanted to do more with my horse then walk, trot and lope in a circle, I discovered “Obstacles” 3 years ago. The very first Obstacle challenge I rode in (which I was scared out of my mind that my horse wouldn’t do any of it) was the most rewarding thing I ever did, because one thing I do not accept (it’s the marine in me) is failure. My horse only completed about 4 of the 10 Obstacles on the course. So I went home and started building, I built the same thing or something similar to whatever my horse did not complete.  I have continued to build after each event. To date I have over 30 Obstacles at my house and a determination to do well at it.
I attend EVERY clinic, funday and challenge that my calendar and wallet will allow me.
In 2018, I placed 3rd in the Colorado Obstacle Challenge Series, which just wasn’t good enough for me, I wanted to push myself with a goal of being #1
In 2019, I obtained the Open Division High Point Buckle for the Colorado Obstacle Challenge Series. I also won the Overall High Point Saddle (Highest point earner out of ALL divisions in COCS) I also won the overall High Point Horsemanship Buckle and title.
You will see me at pretty much every Obstacle or Extreme Trail Challenge withing 300 miles of Brule, Nebraska.
With all of this I am excited to share my knowledge, skills and abilities with others, my hope is to coach and push others to be their best.
When I say horses saved me, they really did and I hope I can assist others with PTSD to get out and be involved.