Here’s how it works: send us a picture of you, with your horse, and tell us about the two of you! Each week, we’ll be showcasing one reader’s story. We want to know what’s great about your horse, how well you work together, a funny story — you tell us!

Send your story and your picture (which should be a jpeg attachment) to CBPotts (at) gmail (dot) com. Each and every Monday, you’ve got a chance to be In the Spotlight!

Of course we want to give our newest, best and most attractive pieces of equestrian jewelry special attention- but there’s another reason, too.

In the Spotlight (who I called Spotty) was more than just a horse to me. She came into my life in 1990, and when my husband passed away in 1992, Spotty was exactly what I needed-she was more than a companion or show horse, she gave me a focus and she gave me a life for the next 8 years.

Now of course, horses from Europe are popular and in high demand. Horse people everywhere value the talent and temperament that comes from the careful breeding of royal stock with thoroughbred and work horse stock. Spotty was one of the earliest “warmblood” horses in New England, and in some ways she set the bar.

It was my good fortune to have had a horse that embodied the characteristics that are most prized by amateur riders: an amazing athlete, a steady, reliable and comfortable gait to ride, lots of chrome, a pleasure to ride and watch ( routinely covering up MY mistakes), perfect ground manners, an easy keeper, AND she was always happy to see you!

Together we were a team- and it was all Spotty’s doing. We attended the top shows in the Northeast (Ox Ridge, Fairfield, Farmington) competed at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida—and regularly came away with great ribbons.

The horseshow judges loved her!

Then when she had a career ending injury, she gave me the most beautiful foal!

Spotty was a once-in-a-lifetime horse, and I am so grateful to have had her.

So, this blog is to chat about jewelry, and to highlight new and fashion forward pieces of jewelry-but also to honor Spotlight-The Star- and to acknowledge how very lucky I was to have had her in my life.