Team #554 Nina Turley and Lady Travler

Team #554: Nina Turley and Lady Travler
From: Cedar Park, Texas
Ages: 73 & 29
Combined Age: 102
Test: Introductory Level Test A
Date: March 5, 2022

Our journey began in 1997 when I purchased a “green broke” four-year-old Montana Travler mare after arriving in El Paso, Texas. I had never heard of this breed and was delighted to discover that her heart, intelligence, and athletic ability were amazing. Together we explored the deserts and mountains of west Texas and southern New Mexico where we rode with the Sun Country Trail Riders and Back Country Horsemen.

Our family moved to Arizona and there, with the awesome equine community of the Cave Creek Saddle Club and Arizona Cowgirls, "Mandy" and I discovered the beautiful trails in the north, south, east, and west of the state. We competed in some trail classes, did an endurance ride or two, and camped out for weeks in the mountains. She gamely made possible my certification by NARHA, now PATH International, when we converted to the English disciplined riding patterns required for the test.

Then we moved to Houston, Texas. We discovered the Airport Rangers Mounted Security Group. We rode the many trails around Bush International Airport for pleasure and kept an eye out for any breaches that could threaten the security of the airport. My grandchildren learned how to ride on her gentle back, and we explored the bayous and trails in the area.

We moved to Cedar Park, Texas, where Mandy was a part of the creation of Happy Trails Horsemanship and Literacy Program, LLC, and contributes to the program to this day.

Our latest endeavor was to complete The Dressage Foundation’s Century Club ride. We rode Intro Level Test A, on March 5, 2022. We worked many months under the guidance of trainers Ashleigh Grace Fleener and Kathy Ellerbeck, and my wonderful barn family at the TriStar Equestrian Center in Austin, Texas. All I can add is a grateful thank you to Lady Travler AKA Mandy… what a wild and wonderful ride, sweet friend.