Rider Feature (continued)
his prior owner by a jealous boyfriend, who took him to the horse trader. Patti didn't know how much to believe that, but then the psychic stated that RD wanted to know when they could go back to the mountains. This gave Patti a start as she had taken RD to the mountains the year before. Well, we can only speculate on the subject, but it certainly makes for a good campfire story!
Having owned quarter horses for many years, RD is Patti's first gaited horse and she will tell you she had great fun learning to ride a Tennessee Walking Horse!
In 2011 she heard about ACTHA and competed in their first CTC. Never having competed in anything prior to that and with no formal training other than attending a few clinics, the team placed in the bottom third of this huge 100 rider ACTHA event. None the less, they had a blast and continued to enjoy ACTHA rides.
This past season, June 2014 through June 2015, Patti and RD competed ambitiously earning their Bronze (50 points) and Silver (100 points) medals. Because Patti is over 55, they also earned the Silver Elite Award. Additionally, as RD is a gaited horse and the team earned 100 points in a single
"I would like to tell my wife, Patti Conde Patterson, how very proud I am of her achievements this past year. She has worked very hard with her horse, Razzle Dazzle (RD), and in spite of her hand disabilities she has been very active riding throughout the state, competing in many trail events
state put on by the American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA). Well, their hard work has paid off. The results are in and ACTHA has named Patti the top rider in the State of California, not to mention 12th in the nation, in her Pleasure Class.
I know it is hard for her to continue riding, but you can see joy all over her and RD when they are working together. Congratulations Patti on a job well done." Larry Patterson
put on by the American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA). Well, their hard work has paid off. The results are in and ACTHA has named Patti the top rider in the State of California, not to mention 12th in the nation, in her Pleasure Class.
I know it is hard for her to continue riding, but you can see joy all over her and RD when they are working together. Congratulations Patti on a job well done." Larry Patterson
season, they also won the Gaited Horse Medal and a beautiful Tucker Gaited Saddle.
With their first ride of the current season, they have just accumulated over 150 points and have now earned their Gold medal as well. Patti tells us, "I so love my horses and riding; I'm just not ready to close this chapter of my life, even though I know that physically I should. That is why this past year and our achievements are so very special to me! The riding sustains me now, and these memories will help sustain me as I look back later.
Patti and RD with their prized win; a Tucker Gaited Saddle
Congratulations
ACTHA Monthly | September 2015 | 20