Think of a hometown hero who became famous on a global scale. People like Dear Abby, Bon Iver, and John Menard might come to mind, but one likely absent from your list is Stephanie Ann Lynn. Add her to your mental list, because she’s a world champion and nationally recognized horse trainer. Lynn just released her first book this fall, A Lifetime Affair: Lessons Learned Living My Passion. The book details her journey from a young girl who fell in love with horses to how she became the woman she is today. She has shown horses herself and trained horses to be shown in World Championships. Just in 2009, Lynn won the Senior Pleasure Driving at the AQHA World Championship Show. The book is filled with pictures from Lynn’s life with horses and inspirational quotes sprinkled generously throughout the chapters. Before she began to travel the nation, Lynn was just a little girl growing up in Eau Claire. She and her sisters first rode horses at their riding lessons at Murphy’s Stable in Elk Creek. Lynn told me, “Growing up here enabled me the freedom to explore my interest in horses. Murphy’s Stable was an incredible place to grow up and Murph’s talent, instinct, and insistence on good behavior made making good choices easy.” The author lives half the year in Florida and returns to her home in Fall Creek the other half. She continues to show, judge, and train horses, in addition to sustaining her business of hand-crafted jewelry. Each chapter depicts a “lesson learned” including: Grit, Demand Excellence, and Change Your Approach. She was taught these life lessons through her experiences with horses as a child, teenager, and adult. Lynn’s encouraging stories of conquering setbacks and adversity will lift your spirits and encourage you to pursue your passions with a new fire and perseverance.