My name is D'Lee Worden.  My maiden name was McCormick.  I currently live in Brownsburg (soon to be moving to Zionsville) with my husband Tom, our two dogs and our two horses. 

I grew up in the Pittsboro area and have been involved in horses since around the age of 12.  My mother said one of my first words was "pomy".  My first horse was a little racking mare that was great with kids.  I rode her everywhere - in the yard, around my Dad's trees in the yard, in the field and down the road.  Sadly, we lost her after a year because of a thyroid problem.  My Dad had a friend at work who had Arabs - Norm Smith - Becky Smith Overmyer's father.  We purchased a two year Arab gelding - Rafton.  We did a lot of ground work with him and I was the first one on his back.  We sent him to a trainer to finish him.  We had him for ten years - showed him some and did a trail riding.  A year after we purchased Rafton, I decided that for mom and I to ride together, we needed to get another horse.  I had some money put back - I raised sheep then and sold the lambs in the fall.  A friend told us about a 4 year half Arab gelding he knew about.  We kind of discounted him at first because of his age and didn't look at him right away.  We were told however, he had an "old" mind and was very easy going.  I called the owner about him, asked the standard questions and then asked the price. She told me $1000 and I guess she could hear the disappointment in my voice.  She asked what price I was thinking and I said $800.  She said that sounded reasonable and to come out and look at him.  (She was very kind to a 14 year old).  Wendell (Dark Desert Wind) was purchased and brought home.  He had the mind of a much older horse and gave me a lot of confidence.  (I didn't have the total purchase price so the owner let me buy him on contract over a six month period).  I worked in the school cafeteria and paid him off.  He was the best $800 I ever spent.  He was my show horse through 4H, open shows and ISHA shows.  I showed him western pleasure, bareback pleasure in fun shows and even showed in Arabian costume.  (He never did well in costume, though.  He never had the fire - I had him in a hand gallop on a loose rein!  - Didn't exactly capture the judge's eye.)  He was my horse well into my twenties and then became my mother's trail horse.  He had a thyroid problem which eventually developed into Cushing's.  We body clipped him 4-5 times a year.  He lived until age 26 then we were forced to put him down.  My mother retired him a few years before when she got her gaited mare.  He led a good life and was taken care of until the end. 
 
I have had several Arabs since then and currently have a 21 year old Arab mare, Cureesha.  She is a beautiful mare (in looks and temperament) but has proven herself to be "delicate" and she is in semi-retirement.  Like Wendell, she has earned her place and will have a home for life.   My current riding horse is 11 year black Tennessee Walking mare.  She is 15.3, full bodied and looks a little like a Friesian.  I purchased her for her looks and her gait which is very smooth and consistent.  She is a terrific trail horse.  My mother became interested in gaited horses about six years ago because of her back and I tried them.  After that, I was sold.  You never get sore or stiff.  We bought our gaited horses from a couple in Kentucky who sell them.  I was told to come down and ride anytime so I did one summer - spent a week with them and rode 8-10 horses a day.  One of my favorite vacations. 
 
In my twenties and thirties, I did some overseas riding trips.  I went point to point (about 4-5 hours riding a day) up in the coast on Lusitano stallions.  They were wonderful - all had some dressage training and my horse was used in bull fights.  I have ridden on the north island in New Zealand and done several riding trips in Ireland.  I have ridden the "Ring of Kerry" where I went from bed and breakfast to bed and breakfast.  I even jumped in Ireland.  (I took lessons to prepare for it as it wasn't exactly what I do on my own horses).  My last overseas ride was in 2000.  My husband of two years wants to ride and I plan on doing a lot of trail riding with him. 

I have worked at Dow AgroSciences for the past nine years.  I like my job and you know, "it pays for my hobby".  My husband is very tolerant and fortunately shares my interest.  We are currently looking for a horse for him.  Our lives kind of revolve around the dogs and horses.  I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have to clean stalls.  Well, that's the highlights.  Really looking forward to getting involved in the club and riding with new people.