Dreams do come True

I contacted Mrs Heres Rosenberger on January 19th, 1998 and I received her reply on February 2nd. For the first time I had a positive answer: she had two horses which might suit me. With that letter began a fast-paced exchange of faxes and finally on 6th March, after an 11 hour car journey I met Harlem's Boy Starlet - Starlight to his friends - my long dreamt of, and tenaciously pursued American Saddlebred. I rode him and found him to be exactly how the Austrian breeders had described the American Saddlebred: he was beautiful, elegant, intelligent and so sweet tempered! Starlight was only 4 years' old, well trained by a master-trainer' and he didn't cost too much! Starlight arrived in Italy on 16 March and as each day passes the more satisfied I am with him.
He was beautiful to ride...		This story taught me two things: 1) Not to give up on something I really want until I have exhausted all possibilities. 2) To appreciate my parents more - who have always supported me and my love for horses... and my friends, both the old ones that I already had and the new ones made during my search... So thank you Mum and Dad, and thank you Sue, Cheryl and Lisa from me and Starlight.
Editor's note Having received the above article from Ilaria, I thought it would be interesting to know how Starlight had settled down in Italy and how they were progressing as a team'. It seems the future is looking rosy for them both...
Post Script - Two Months later Sue asked me to write about how Starlight is settling down here and so... here I am!Starlight is doing wonderfully well here in his new home.. He is the gentlest horse that I have ever met and he is really smart, never scared of anything. He loves to put his muzzle against my neck and to blow into my ear - although he dislikes being bathed which is a disadvantage here in Italy during the Summer, because it is really hot.			Ilalia & Starlight - A dream come true.
Starlight happy and contented in his new home, and new country.	He is liked by the other horse-owners of the barn, but, in the beginning some of them seemed surprised by his looks (I don't know quite what they were expecting... a horse with 5 legs - or two heads perhaps?!) while others laughed when they heard me using vocal commands such as whoa' or hop trot' or get out', but as the days passed they began to see how professional he is under saddle (especially for a 4 year old colt) and now they don't laugh anymore. Starlight's good head is envied by the riding centre trainer who wishes his show jumper had one as handsome.
As for myself, I am working hard to learn the Saddle-Seat equitation. This style of riding is different from the hunt seat which I have practised for many years, but I like it very much and with a horse like Starlight to help me, I can only improve!