​When blindness struck in
her teens, it appeared her ​passion for riding would come to an end. How could she ​jump hurdles when
she could barely​ navigate through her
own home?

But
success, trust, and love came to Lissa when her trainer convinced her to buy a "diamond
in the rough" from Germany. On New Year's Eve, Milo arrived at the barn, frightened and neglected. Taking one look at his shaking,
filthy body, Lissa promised Milo that he would only know kindness. In return,
Milo took special care of her in the ring. Through countless eye surgeries and the many
months of training and work, Lissa and Milo formed a magic bond that made them
inseparable. And winners.

With
effortless humor and penetrating compassion, Lissa weaves a story of unfaltering
faith in Milo, and the unconditional love they shared.

Bachner, Lissa

Lissa Bachner grew up in Great Falls, VA. She was three years old when she first sat on a horse and by the time, she was five, she was competing in local horse shows.

Soon after her sixth birthday, Lissa was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and a rare immune disorder that attacked her eyes called uveitis. Her left eye was the weaker of the two and when Lissa was 13, her retina detached leaving her permanently blind in that eye.

Doctors and surgeries became a way of life for Lissa but no matter what, as soon as her doctors gave her the, okay, she was back on a horse.

In 1996, Lissa graduated from Skidmore College with a BA in English. Two years later, while living in Maryland, Lissa's left eye developed complications and had to be enucleated.

While struggling to make decisions about her future and trying to get used to her prosthetic eye, Lissa purchased a misunderstood, yet talented horse from Germany. He arrived in Maryland, New Year's Day, 1999.

Lissa and her horse, Milo, quickly developed a powerful bond. Her love brought the champion out in Milo. When glaucoma began to strip Lissa of her remaining vision, that same love gave her the strength to keep fighting for her sight.

Lissa lives in Wellington, Florida with her three dogs and her horse, Marvel.