Who would have thought that not having an elementary school on a military base would lead to the love of horses and all things equestrian? Well, that is what happened to PJ (Pamela Clark)! When she was 7 years of age, her father was stationed at Upper Heyford Military Air Base in Oxfordshire, England, and there was no elementary school on base. Primary education was provided at Esington Modern British Girls School where she was introduced to horseback riding. This was not love at first sight however, and PJ said… “It took considerable coaching before I would even get on a horse!”

Moving forward, her family was then re-assigned to Lajes Air Force Base, in the Azores, Portugal, where she became a member of the American/Portuguese Equestrian Riding Team which subsequently resulted in her becoming a Certified Equestrian at a British Riding Facility outside Oxford, England. Upon her return to the Washington, DC area, she became a working student at Equilibrium Horse Center under the skilled coaching of Judy Stromier (US Olympic Equestrian Judge). She immediately became a member of the staff which helped with the development of a successful competitive Junior Drill Team which not only competed against teams in Maryland and Virginia, but they were also privileged to march in the Washington DC Independence Day Parades and Cherry Blossom Parades. Her main objective was to become the first African American on the US Olympic Equestrian Team. Although she hasn’t seen that dream come to fruition, she continues to keep her “eyes on the prize” that one day soon there will be that first person of color to take his/her place among the most elite equestrian riders to represent the US Olympic Team.

Unfortunately, in 2017 PJ underwent a very grueling and intense knee replacement procedure which has kept her from riding and competing. Although her days “in the saddle” have temporarily come to a halt, her passion for these magnificent creatures has not. During her 33-year career as a US Capitol Hill Police Officer she assisted with forming the first Capitol Hill Mounted Police Unit providing advice, contacts, structure and riding instruction. “When I look back on my many years as an Equestrian and the people I’ve met along my path who have helped me develop into the person I am today, one of my fondest memories was meeting Paige Johnson, the daughter of Bob and Sheila Johnson (founders of BET}. Paige is an elite show jumper, and I wish her well and pray that one day, her dream will become a reality.” PJ learned of The Villages through her friends Lawrence and Mamie Parker and moved here from Sanford, FL in April 2021. She has familiarized herself with the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, The Villages Polo Club and the Grand Oaks Equestrian Center outside The Villages. She is looking forward to volunteering her time, skills and assisting with the horses. With the help of God guiding the hands of her Orthopedic Surgeon, she prays that her third surgery will be successful and that it will allow her to RIDE AGAIN!