Alex's life and death has taught me so much. She was an amazing person who made you feel as if you had been her friend forever, even if you had just met. I did have that privilege of meeting Alex when we were team mates on High Cotton Horse Farm's Show Team. Mary taught us that no matter where we placed in our classes, that we were to ALWAYS be a true sportsman, cheer each other on and help each other. Alex always did that. She never entered or left the show ring that she wasn't smiling. In her passing she has taught me to live my life to the absolute fullest, never take one moment for granted and let the people you love know what they mean to you. When Alex got to heaven, I pictured her being met by a smiling man named Mr. Billy leading a beautiful horse named Flo, offering her an amazing ride. ~Justin Brown
ALEXANDRA (ALEX) HARTNER Alexandra (Alex) Hartner, 18, died January 13, 2008, from injuries incurred in an automobile accident in which she was a passenger. She was a freshman at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, North Carolina. Alex was an extraordinary equestrian and a proud member of St. Andrew's prestigious Equestrian Team. She was born on April 8, 1989, in Morristown, NJ, and the family settled in Hampstead, NC, in 2005. Alex, a 2007 graduate of Topsail High School, was in the Huskins Program, part of the advanced placement curriculum.Alex started competing in English Eventing (dressage, cross country, and stadium jumping) when she was ten. She trained under Olympic instructor Adrian Ford and won countless ribbons and trophies. One of her latest accomplishments was winning the Champion Ribbon at the Grande Prix in Littleton, Florida.Her incredible character will never be forgotten. Hers was a free spirit that was both intense and exciting and her presence illuminated every room she entered. She made an everlasting impression on everyone she met, and had an enthusiasm for every new challenge. Simply put, Alex was poetry in motion.Our beautiful Alex is survived by her parents, Jane Cockrell and George Hartner; brother, Zeke; grandmother, Vera Cockrell; four aunts, three uncles and fourteen cousins.A viewing will take place on Thursday, January 17th from 6-8:00 p.m. at Andrews Mortuary in Hampstead, NC. The service to celebrate her life will take place on Friday, January 18th, at 11:00 a.m. at Andrews Mortuary.Two scholarships have been established in honor of Alex, so that her spirit in life may continue on forever. In lieu of flowers please send donations to one or both of the following:Alex Hartner Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 428, Hampstead, NC 28443, checks to be made out to;Topsail High School care of Alex Hartner memorial ;St. Andrews Presbyterian College Equestrian Memorial Fund for Alex Hartner, 1700 Dogwood Mile, Laurinburg, NC 28352, checks to be made out to "St. Andrews Presbyterian College care of Alex Hartner memorial.
Published in the Star-News on 1/16/2008.
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