 |
 |
|
Darlene (left), with mom PJ (right) at
the |
Darlene Anderson
I was born in 1968, in the year
of the monkey, so it was only fitting that my parents called me "Monkey Shine"
when I was a kid. I grew up in Southern Idaho, racing around the desert on a
bratty pony named Dusty, and later a brown bay 3/4 Arab named Crickett. I was a
confirmed ride brat, being a horse crazed tomboy since I could remember. I was
introduced to the sport of endurance riding in the early 80's by my mom, PJ
Blonshine. I did a few rides at that time, but the fever stuck with me and when
Joyce Kellenberger asked me to help her condition her three horses in the early
90's I became hooked on endurance riding all over again. Joyce asked her
veterinarian, Dan Haskins, my boss, at the time, if he knew of anyone who would
be interested in helping her to condition her three horses for endurance riding.
He readily recommended me. I'm still thankful to him for that!
I have been a PNER/AERC member for about 10 years and have loved every minute.
Coming back to my "horsie roots" and endurance felt like a missing puzzle piece
in my life had just been suddenly slipped into it's rightful place. All of the
static and restlessness I had experienced in my early 20's was gone and in it's
place was the hunger for all things horse and endurance once again. I did many
of my first 1000 AERC miles on a plucky Morab mare named FeatherB. When I
retired the Brave Little Mare Who Could, I embarked on a years long search for
my next "perfect" endurance horse. My daughter, Jessica, soon joined me and
we've enjoyed many a mile together. Along the way I met my best friend, and
riding partner in life, Terry Ross. He asked me to help him feed his "need for
speed" by finding his next endurance horse. He is still riding that horse, Z Boy
(BHR Heza Pizzazz). I have had the honor and opportunity to ride many great
horses over the years, thanks to many many people in my extended PNER Family.
I love getting to give back to my sport by serving on the PNER board. I have
enjoyed helping put together the annual convention trade show the past few years
and I'm looking forward to helping Susan present another super convention in
January of 2008. We've got some pretty exciting ideas and I hope PNER members,
friends, and family will plan to attend. In the meantime, I'm excited about
riding my own horse at the rides this year (I'm sure I'll still be riding
a newbie from time to time, I love the challenge it presents!) because this year
I get to celebrate having two perfect endurance partners, my new boy, Diesel (AM
Hunka Speed, you gotta LOVE a name like that!), who is a 3/4 Arab/Curly cross,
and of course, Terry. Who could ask for better than that? Certainly not a silly
blonde endurance monkey like myself.
Life is good, ride well, ride far and take life one vet check at a time.
This is me...if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please don't
hesitate to get in touch!
Darlene Anderson
endrncmonkey@yahoo.com
360-433-5772
http://www.dependableponies.com