Wilberta
Moulthrop
Great
Western Member from Tucson, Arizona
Berta’s journey with horses started
when she read Black Beauty at the age of six. She began riding at a local stable
at 14 and started dreaming of owning the perfect horse. She later showed Quarter
Horses, American Saddlebreds and Arabians. Berta owned several horses along the
way but marriage, children and work became the priority in her life. Adding to her challenges, Berta had scoliosis and at
the age of 43 and wound up with steel rods, screws and wires in her spine. She could still ride, and was content with an occasional
trail ride over the next 20 years.
She retired from the SEC in 1996 and
moved to Palm Springs, CA. where she was a resident artist at Palapas Art & Garden Center. There, she painted horses and
more horses. She showed her work extensively in CA but she also has her works in most states including Alaska.
Berta has worked with animal-assisted
Therapy groups, and raised and trained guide dog puppies. Over the next 10 years she had a triple bi-pass, a heart attack
and then in 2005, she moved to Tucson, a region that she saw as being right in the middle of horse country. She had no horse,
so at the age of 67, with steel rods in her spine, and a chest with staples in it, she decided to have another horse in her
life. Her first purchase was not the perfect match: a QH she bought from a backyard barrel racer who said the horse didn't
like to run. Well, Berta soon found out that the horse didn't like to have anyone on his back either! (She donated the horse
to a rescue and he found a good home after that.)
That’s when Berta started looking
in earnest for her perfect horse. She walked into Hacienda Del Sol, horse heaven
on earth, or so it seemed to her.
In her own words, “I thought
it was much too wonderful a place for me to be a part of, but Jamie Drizin greeted me warmly, gave me a tour, and then my
first ride on a Paso Fino. It was love at first ride. He found the perfect horse
for me, a 17 year old mare with old foundation breeding, a grand daughter of Hilachas, a big honest Bay mare with the smoothest
ride ever. Her name is Alissa Cabal, Lucia.
It's been an exciting year, learning to ride a Paso correctly, doing ring work, and riding the trails around Hacienda
Del Sol.”
Recently Hacienda Del Sol held an open
house, including a Fun
Show, in which Berta took a 2nd place. She put on a One-Woman Art Show entitled "The Spirit of Equus" and very graciously donated one of her favorite paintings to the newly opened Paso
Fino Rescue for a fundraiser.
As for her family, her husband, Peter,
is a retired executive chef and an avid golfer. They have one son and three grandchildren. Their family also consists of a
Chinese Crested Powderpuff who is a very special dog named “Roll over Beethoven”, and a 90-pound yellow lab named
Tex who, according to Berta, “still eats socks every chance he gets.”
Berta plans on more Fun Shows in the
future. Pasos have brought her new challenges, great new friends, new experiences, and a new way of riding.
Of Paso Finos, Berta says, “They
have good heads, a wonderful ride, even for those of us over 29, and enough spirit for the best riders. They are the Perfect
Horse for everyone. I also have the perfect husband - he supports my horse activities 100%. I am grateful every
time I watch my horse run in the pasture, touch her or get on her to ride. Together
we will stay young for many years to come.”
Thanks, Wilberta, for letting us get
to know you!
