Doin' More

She’s adventurous. She’s vibrant. She’s doing More - Magazine, that is.

Just one short decade ago Dianna Stanger saddled up for the first time when she bought a horse after moving to her Olivia area ranch. Today she owns 64 horses - give or take a few - and is a champion breeder, an airplane and helicopter pilot, and one of the subjects of a short feature in the July/August issue of More, a popular magazine geared toward today’s woman over 40.

The feature, entitled “Action Figures” highlights six female athletes who got serious about their respective sports in the prime of their lives. After almost two years in the making, the feature showcases the 45-year-old Stanger who bought her first horse because it was “the Texas thing to do.”

Stanger and her husband, Al, relocated to the area from the Bahamas. The couple purchased the waterfront property with a house that had been vacant since 1963.

Prior to moving to Texas, Stanger had never even sat on a horse. Soon she purchased a threeyear-old quarter horse, and before long she was captivated with the Arabian, one of the oldest known breeds of riding horses. One of the more popular breeds in the United States, Arabians are known for their energy, intelligence and gentle disposition.

“After deciding that riding was something that I wanted to do, the search was on for a breed that suited me, and that is when I fell in love with Arabians,” said Stanger. “After visiting the Region IX Arabian show in Fort Worth and watching the Arabian in action, I was hooked. Arabians had the beautiful heads and streamlined bodies. They were just the perfect picture of horse style for me. Soon I was breeding and showing Arabians, and the love has never stopped.”

So Dianna and Al purchased their Arabian, a Russian mare, and they didn’t stop there.

“It became obvious that we wanted to do more with Arabians, and Wolf Point Ranch became an Arabian Breeder,” Stanger said. As the number of Arabians has grown, so has the ranch. The initial 200-acre purchase has developed to 7,700 acres that span two counties along the Gulf Coast. The facility includes a foal barn, breeding barn, full-size indoor arena and three outdoor rings. It is home to champions such as Eqynox, Invictus and Trick R. Treat. On a trek to the Wolf Point property one might also notice a few zebras - something Stanger attributes in part to trainer Terry Hatfield.

“He has a fascination with exotic animals,” she laughed.

Competitive by nature, Stanger doesn’t shy a way from hard work or challenges. She spends approximately five hours a day riding and preparing for an average of one show per month. She has shown in every class with the exception of the Trail class. She boasts several Region Championship honors and has been a US Reserve Champion in Stallions Halter-AOTH and US Top Ten in Native Costume.

In early 2006, Stanger decided to try her hand at cutting horses. She is currently the number one Arabian Cutting Non-Pro and was awarded the 2006 Arabian Cutting Horse Association Rookie of the Year. She has also been awarded the Arabian Horse Association “Horseman of Supreme Merit Champion” which is awarded to only four horseman per year and is the second highest honor a rider can receive for Arabians.

As she walked through her barn while proudly showing off her fine friends, she often stopped to pat a nose or pet a mane.

“You’re a good boy,” she said.

As a top breeder, Stanger’s days are full. Yet that fullness is not limited to just equestrian interests. In addition to breeding and showing winning horses, this former real estate broker turned horse breeder exudes passion in other areas, as well.

As a trained pilot, Stanger has turned this passion into a gift and is a member of a group of pilots that fly cancer patients to MD Anderson. To date Stanger has flown 52 such missions.

“I have time and a plane and it’s a way I can give,” she said.

“Dianna is very diverse when it comes to being involved,” said Olivia resident Kasi Critendon whose husband, Brandon, manages the cattle division of Wolf Point. “She is into it from horses to airplanes and masters whatever challenge she accepts.”

Like fine wine, Stanger gracefully embodies this season in her life. She’s expressive, dynamic and radiates an infectious enthusiasm.

Comfortable and confidant, Stanger enjoys life and her career and plans to only keep improving.

“I’m having fun,” she said, “but I’m a work in progress.”

A work in progress - doing More, which is on sale at area newsstands.