Brenda Morrow, horse crazy all my life, bought my first horse when I was 21 living in upstate NY and was clueless, but extremely happy to learn to ride and compete, at that time hunt-seat equitation.  Moved to Ft. Myers FL in 1987 and brought my mare Belle.  In FL I learned dressage and competed until Belle retired. Then I was without a horse of my own for almost 20 years.  In 2021 I decided I needed my own horse again and I got Merle, registered name Mama Tryed, and spell-check has been tormenting me ever since.

Merle and I recently earned our Bronze Medal with Western Dressage of FL. In 2023 we competed at the World Championships competition in Guthrie, OK for Western Dressage.  I was very impressed with how my boy handles a big show, he taught me a lot. I love our local shows with Punta Gorda Horseman’s Association, Alpha Dressage Association and SW FL Dressage Association – of which I was a founding member way back when.

I’m Treasurer of Special Equestrians Inc. in Ft. Myers, FL, a therapeutic riding, driving, and ground-work program that serves individuals with special needs.  I’ve been with them nearly 10 years, I’m a horse leader and an exercise rider and general volunteer for fund-raising. I’m a staff accountant with a local CPA firm, been with them since 2001. Recently took semi-retirement, mainly so I can have more time with my horse. I’m striving to improve my show performance, I’m my own worse enemy with my nerves getting the better of me most times. But I keep pushing and telling myself this is what I’m doing for FUN!

The Western Dressage community has been the most friendly and welcoming group of horse people I have ever met and competed with. The sense of community and the new friendships has really helped me. It’s wonderful to go to a show or a clinic and everyone offers a helping hand, shares their saddle pads, fly spray, calls a test or whatever is needed with sincere smiles. I feel very blessed to have become a part of Western Dressage.