Featured Rider Ada Keilman

Hi my name is Ada Keilman and I am a sophomore at Thunderbird High School. I started riding when I was 11 years old. Dessert Palms is the first place I ever took lessons and I have been here ever since. Usually I ride 1-2 times a week but I try to get out as often as I can and spend as much time as possible at the barn. When there are days off school I will usually spend them at the barn, riding and helping out.

I started riding in the fall of 2015 and then participated in my first ever show in March which was the Carousel Charity Horse Show. I was riding KC in walk trot academy and even though I did not get first, it was such a fun experience I couldn’t wait for the next show. I continued to learn and grow as a rider while showing in Academy for 4 years on various horses. Now I show in a full suit on Michelle’s horse Lady which as been a really fun experience so far.

Michelle has been an amazing teacher and has given the opportunity to ride a variety of horses as well as spend the summer at the barn. For the past several years I have been able to work over summer break as a camp counselor for the barn’s summer camp. Through this experience I have a lot about working with horses, not just riding them. It has taught me the importance always being on time which has allowed me to both set an example and become someone that can be relied on.