Team #671 Claudia Deffenbaugh and Celtico III

Team #671: Claudia Deffenbaugh and Celtico III
From: Montara, California
Ages: 76 & 24
Combined Age: 100
Test: Pas de Deux
Date: July 22, 2023

I started riding in Daly City, California, at the age of seven. I took lessons and rode school horses until I got my first horse at about 12 years old. As a kid, I jumped over everything that was in the way and showed jumpers for several years. I went off to college and took my horse for two years. I graduated from the UCSF School of Pharmacy and worked at Stanford Children's Hospital in oncology for most of my career. 

I had two children and took about a 10-year break from riding. I started riding again when my daughter turned five. My daughter was in Pony Club and achieved her H-A Certification. I taught within the Pony Club for over 20 years. 

I bought my horse, Celtico, when he was 12. Celtico is a P.R.E. Horse and is blind in one eye. I have owned him for over 12 years. We have been to the California Dressage Society Championships and been Reserve Champions in the Second Level freestyle. It was such a thrill to ride this Pas de Deux with my daughter on my younger horse, Captain.