In Loving Memory of Sterling Details

By: Heather Maurer

The great show mare, Sterling Details, passed away on February 26th, 2021. The Double-Maurer family owned her for 16 years. She was the queen bee of their farm. She was the full sister to the stud, “Painted Details.” She was started by Carl and Trisha Yamber and shown successfully as a two and three-year-old. The Double-Maurer family bought her as a four-year-old and she was in training with Jason Duquette and Suzanne Pickard for Heather’s years in amateur showing. She had a superior in Open and Amateur Hunter Under Saddle.

I spent my birthday in the stall of my best friend, Sterling, during her time of need and when she needed me the most – with my broken leg, crutches, and all.

Our family has owned Sterling Details for 16 years. She was and always will be my heart horse. Did we win World titles or Congress Championships? No, but we won so much more. She is the only horse I have truly loved. Sure, I liked all of my horses, but her – Sterling – I LOVE. She taught me that not ever horse rides the same. She taught me compassion, love, and reignited my soul when I needed it most. She was also my confidante. I would sit in her stall as she munched hay and talk to her about my problems or complain about the younger horses. She understood me and I understood her.

If you ever had the pleasure to meet or ride Sterling, you know what she meant to me, my family, and to you. Everyone who met her loved her. She LOVED kids. She’d stick that long, giraffe neck all the way down to the ground to let them pet her. Her heart was as big as this earth, even in pain she would do anything she was asked.

My favorite memory is when Sterling and I used to ride at 7 am in our outdoor arena as the sun would rise and the fog was still on the ground. It felt magical. It was magical. In her prime, Sterling was captivating. She was 17+ hands of magic and beauty, not grace. She was a lot like her momma in that way.

I knew this day would come. The day that her stall would be empty and her name plate removed. The day I had been dreading. I knew it would hurt beyond measure, but it still didn’t make it any easier.

Show them how to long trot like a boss in heaven, Sterling Details.

“I’ll love you forever. I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.”

If you’d like to share a story about a special horse in your life, email B.Bevis@EquineChronicle.com.