My name is Hero, short for PW September Hero. I was born on 9/11/01. My mother is Annie, short for Bahia Almas Zaman. My father is Belesemo Chance. My first 7 months were on the Agnew farm. A lady came to see me, 2 times I think, because I think she was interested in me. In April, 02, this lady named Patsy Gowen came with a trailer and another horse and picked me up. I gave James a bit of a hard time getting on the trailer but he finally got me on board. The other horse, Thundarr, was loaded on and he was very nice; he kept me company. Bigger than me. We drove for about 3 hours to Rock Hill, SC. There I was taken off the trailer and put into a field by myself. I could touch the noses of 2 other horses. One horse was gray and I heard the lady say that he was my half-brother, Abraham Sonthan. The lady's name is Patsy and the man with her is Larry. I really like Larry. He gives me treats all the time. He never asks to ride me!

She eventually put me with the other horses because I would get into the field with Thundarr and Abe by swimming in the pond. I played for 3 years in those fields of Patsy's.

In January of my 3rd year Patsy put a thing in my mouth she called a bit. It stayed in my mouth by my halter. I played with it and even ate grass with it in my mouth. Didn't know what it was for! Later in January Patsy put a blanket on my back. I wasn't cold! Then she put a saddle on my back. I just stood there. Didn't know what it was for either! Another weekend in January Patsy leaned on my back. I just cocked my leg and went to sleep! Patsy got up on my back and I just stood there. I didn't know what she wanted! We backed up all over the yard. She said something about winning an endurance ride going backward! What is an endurance ride?

Patsy's friend, Barb, came over and rode Abraham around the fields. I followed. This was going to be fun. We walked all afternoon!

In August of 2005, Patsy took me back to James' farm. She wanted James to teach me how to go forward. I thought I knew how to go forward. Boy, was I in for a surprise! James had me going all over with long lines attached to my bit. Soon James was riding me! This is cool! I like James! Patsy came to pick me up in early September. We went for a ride around James' farm first. She petted me and kissed me (eck!) Then she took me home. Thundarr and Abe ran up to meet me. It was really good to see them (even though they like to bite me!).

Patsy started to ride me at the Greenway with some of her friends. We did a lot of riding. We also went to the Sand Hills and marked trail. I don't like to stand still while she nails markers to trees. I get into trouble doing this!

One weekend in March Patsy took me to the Sand Hills and I stayed in a metal corral. I was checked out by a vet on Saturday. I was nice to him because he was nice to me! On Sunday, March 19, she saddled me up very early in the morning. It was still dark out! What were we going to do? Then we started to ride and we were with her friends. We rode for a long time and came in and this person (she said it was a vet) checked me out. Patsy let me eat for a a while and then she saddled me up again. What?! We were going riding again? Patsy took me out on the trail again and we rode for a long time. I was tired but she said that I did very well for my first 30 miles endurance ride. I had heard that word before-endurance!

Patsy took me on 6 more endurance rides in 2006. One was a 3 day ride in Tennessee. Nice state! The Southeast rides are fun and I am still learning what to do. Patsy says I trot at 12 miles per hour! Is that fast? She also says I float in my extended trot. I get excited and she has to hold me back. But I listen to her. Patsy says that I have 165 official miles already. That is a long distance and I did it?!

Patsy has lots of plans for me this year. She wants to do 12 rides with me. Oh, my! And she is taking me up to NY in June and August. I like it up there-lots to eat! And mountains!

If you want to see me in action, my first ride will be at the Sand Hills Stampede in March.