"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us." 2 Corinthians 5:20
Pam Fowler Grace and
The latest chapter in Pam's success story is an exciting one. In September of 2003, in the middle of nowhere in eastern Germany, Pam found an 11 year old Dutch Warmblood, "Kossini", who was the product of royal bloodlines. His dam, "Ulissa", was also the dam of "Cocktail", and his sire "Rossini", was by "Romadour II". At the time, he was schooling 4th level/Prix St. Greorges. This shopping trip for the perfect horse would prove to be the shortest ever, as "Kossini" was the first horse that Pam looked at in Germany.
photo© 2007 McCool
Within the first five minutes of her ride, Pam realized that the chemistry between them was perfect. They danced as though they had been together a lifetime. Immediately a huge ear to ear grin, which was impossible to hide, came onto her face. After about ten minutes, she stopped, threw her arms around Kossini's neck, and while stroking him with both hands she said, "He's perfect! I love him!!!". Pam returned to Germany the next week to escort her new love home. She accompanied him on the airplane so she could be with him the whole way to console and comfort him through the long, stressful trip.
photo© 2007 McCool
She renamed him "Star in Stripes" for the unusual striped pattern in his coat that runs horizontally along his torso. Pam and Lynn both agree that this is where God ran His fingers across him. Since then, his training progression has been almost miraculous.
In April of 2004, the pair went to California to see how they would fare in the international caliber competition. They made several shows, competing with the creme de la creme of the international dressage community and with 3 firsts, 1 tie for first and one 3rd, they fared very well indeed! Everyone in California was talking about the striped horse from Texas. "Star in Stripes" was brilliant and handled the pressure of very large crowds with ease. With his light and airy movement and commanding presence, "Star in Stripes" captured both the hearts of the judges and audience alike. Many have called him the "Barishnikov of horses" for his light and airy movement.

In the spring of 2006 they traveled to the west coast again for their second show tour to compete at Grand Prix, and after having their first three shows cancelled due to monsoon rains, they were finally able to compete at Meadows of Moorpark where they won the Grand Prix with a score of 70.6%.

photo© McCool
2007 was another year of heavy international competition with wins throughout the show schedule including their spectacular season finale which came in November of 2007at the Great American Insurance Group show where the pair won the Open Grand Prix Championship.
photo © McCool
photo© 2007 McCool
2008 has started off with the olympic trials in Florida where Pam and 'Star InStripes' enjoyed gorgeous weather and great success posting scores into the 70's!
photo© 2008 SusanStickle.com
photo© 2008 SusanStickle.com
photo© 2008 PhelpsPhotos
photo© McCool
photo© 2008 Kelly McChesney
photo© Kelly Smith
Copyright © 2006 - 2008, Pam Fowler Grace, Sun and Shield Riding Club - All Rights Reserved, with the exception of the photographic images which are Copyright by the individual photographers who retain all rights to their subsequent distribution.