Team #539 Carlita Mead and Adorada
Photo provided by Laurie Monroe
Team #539: Carlita Mead and Adorada
Ages: 75 & 25
Combined Age: 100
I was destined to share my life with horses.
My family immigrated from the Netherlands in 1952 so my dad could fulfill his childhood dream of being a cowboy and owning horses. I was raised in the country, occasionally hopping on my dad’s horses but never learning to ride formally.
Fast forward to 1992, at the age of 46, and I´m now an empty nester looking for a new passion. It was my time to finally take those riding lessons. I started out in the hunter/jumper world with my first horse Jack, a wonderful and kind Morgan. After Jack was retired, I purchased my bold and beautiful Cleveland Bay, Chelsea. After a bad fall and fracturing my back, I started taking some dressage lessons from Jutta Heinsohn.
Chelsea was diagnosed with a subluxation of the coffin joint. I retired her after surgery and she came home to join Jack, my granddaughter´s pony, Buttons, my young Irish Draught Sport Horse, Bradley, who was a gift for my forever friends Jutta Heinsohn and Laurie Monroe, and my Andalusian ‘princess,’ Adorada, gifted to me at the age of four by my dear and forever friends, Jonathan and Riitta Saada.
I then enjoyed ten amazing years of horseplay and caring for my horses at home.
Jack, Chelsea, and Buttons have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I now board Bradley and Adorada near me under the wonderful care and guidance of Lynda Kovisto.
When my friend Margaret (Peggy) Flippo did her Century Club ride on her horse, Honor, in 2016, I was inspired to do my own Century Club ride on Adorada.
I am commemorating my ride to my dear friend, Iggie Harrington, who passed away, at 96, in 2018. May you and your beloved Champagne be enjoying your trail rides in heaven.
I would like to give my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Lynda, Jutta, Riitta and Jonathan. Without them this ride would not have happened.
I would like to also thank The Dressage Foundation and my friends Terry, Margaret, Laurie, and Kris who have supported, helped, and loved me through this special honor.
Carlita and Adorada completed Training Level, Test 3, on December 5, 2021, for their Century Club membership.
