Team #633 Carol Ann Mattsson and Principe Curioso PBF
Photo by LMC Photo
Team #633: Carol Ann Mattsson and Principe Curioso PBF
From: Fairfield, Connecticut
Ages: 81 & 31
Combined Age: 112
Test: Introductory Level Test B
Date: February 11, 2023
As a child I always had a love for horses. I started riding in 1964 at the age of 23. I first learned to ride hunt seat, jumped, and did some schooling shows. Along the way and for many years I also was a member and volunteer treasurer of the local United States Pony Club and Fairfield Bridle Trail Association.
In 1972, I acquired my own horse, a registered Quarter Horse named Jodi Norris. She was just turning four and started under western tack with a bosal, so I learned western riding. Later I trained Jodi to go in hunt seat with an eggbutt snaffle and for 21 years either rode her western or hunt seat.
When Jodi passed in 1993, I started looking or a place to continue riding and in 2009 found Gray Friesian Farm with Kirsten Gray (Sonnenhof Equestrian Center). I thought why not learn dressage. I have been riding with Kirsten ever since.
The “grand gentleman” I'm riding is a Spanish-Norman horse named Principe Curioso (barn name of Oso). He is owned by Kirsten and is 31 years old. I have ridden him on and off for years but now have been steadily on him for the last three years and he was my partner for my Century Club ride.
