Team #840 Laura Mollrich and Pabatsa
Photo by Terri Miller
Team #840: Laura Mollrich and Pabatsa
From: Laguna Beach, California
Ages: 72.5 & 27.5
Combined Age: 100
Test: Introductory Level Test B
At the age of eight, I came home with my first horse “Simbo Mount” a green Thoroughbred, when my father and his buddy were driving up bids at a rodeo auction.
As a teenager, I began competitive riding with my talented Arabian “Amir Nazir” competing in both Saddle Seat and Western Pleasure. One afternoon after leaving the stable, I was struck head-on by a drunk driver in a pickup and nearly lost my life, remaining in a coma for a month with multiple injuries. The accident put my competitive riding career on hold but not my love of horses.
In my early 30s, I was diagnosed with RA, Systemic Lupus, and Systemic Sclerosis Scleroderma and went through chemotherapy for inflammation of my central nervous system. Epilepsy was the result that left me housebound and horseless for several years.
After a year of traveling, I found my dream dressage horse, Pabatsa, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding recently imported. Pabatsa has been Reserve Champion and Sweepstakes Champion at Del Mar National and has won San Juan Capistrano Chapter-CDS championships at First, Second, and Third Level. Retired from showing years ago, he still makes people smile with his sweet personality and silly antics!
My health challenges continued, including two riding accident hip replacements and the ravages of Systemic Sclerosis, a disease that attacks every organ in the body. In my late 60s, I decided to show again. I found Ciave (aka Bernice) a beautiful Holsteiner mare and began competing as an FEI Para Equestrian. Together we have become the 2023 and 2024 Adequan/USDF Para-Dressage Rider of the Year Grade IV Reserve Champion and All-Breeds Para-Dressage Rider of the Year Champion Holsteiner-Verband.
Today, I am the oldest competing Para Equestrian in the U.S. and the only Para to complete the Century Club ride. I owe this to the hard work of my dedicated trainer Erin O’Steen, Stone Creek Dressage, my long-time friend Jan Curtis, my supportive husband Stu, and my many friends in the Para community who share and understand the challenges I face every day. Thanks also to TDF for the great work you do supporting our sport and offering opportunities to riders of all ages and abilities.
