PAM SPAIN

Pam’s earliest and most fond memories are of being a child on her grandfather’s farm in Northern Illinois. She especially remembers his work horse, “Babe.” To this day, Pam’s love and devotion to horses continues and is reflected in her everyday life.  She has shown various breeds in both Regional and National levels, including the World Show in l988, where she was awarded the title of Reserve World Champion in her class. Pam moved to Florida some time ago with her beloved husband Larry. Then, one day, she met a young girl who was stricken with leukemia. The ailing young woman’s love for horses matched that of Pam. Based on their special encounter, Pam’s interest in the effect horses had on special needs children began to grow. As she researched the idea, she discovered NARHA, and soon, a vision began to take root and grow in her heart: Pam wanted to help unbridle the spirits of those who are otherwise held captive by physical limitations. She wanted to open a Riding Center for special needs children and adults. Little by little, her constant dream began to come true. Today, Pam has passed the NARHA Certification and is a Certified Instructor. Since many of the families of special needs children are financially stressed, Pam’s vision was and is to have a Center that does not charge the needy for therapeutic classes.  Today, those of Unbridled Spirit are in the process of making this life-changing dream a reality. They work tirelessly to help those with special needs to know the unbridled joy horses can bring to the heart of a child – even as they once brought unbridled joy to the heart of a young girl who loved to be on her grandfather’s farm.

Pam Spain also is an accomplished and award winning artist. Her painting, “Unbridled Spirit,” speaks well of her vision to help others.

LARRY SPAIN

Like his wife Pam, Larry Spain’s earliest and most fond memories are of being on a farm with horses. As a youth, Larry spent time on his uncle’s farm in Tennessee, where he especially cared for his uncle’s powerful gray Percheron geldings. Larry now fondly recalls his many bareback rides in the Tennessee hills that surrounded his uncle’s farm. At the age of twelve Larry’s Dad moved the family to Chicago – but Larry did not, could not, leave behind his ever-growing love for horses, nor his innate understanding of their ways. In his early twenties, he became a Police Officer in Chicago, where he met Bill, a friend who had a horse farm in Northern Illinois. Through this encounter, Larry was reintroduced to horses. His love for them and his natural ability to train them, began to grow once more. Ultimately, Larry acquired his own horse property and over the years was responsible for a wide variety of horse activities that were offered to the public – all of which demanded an expertise in training, which Larry readily provided. When Larry and Pam met, they fell in love and immediately had a common bond: Pam loves to teach people to ride, and Larry loves to train horses. Their passions and talents were a perfect match. Larry and Pam married and have spent the last quarter century together honing their skills. Their several sets of well trained horses can be seen majestically pulling carriages for the Misty Blue Acres Carriage Company, “The Official Carriage Company” for the upscale town of Celebration, Florida. Together, Larry and Pam now want to help those with special needs, and they are doing so through their love of horses and the positive effects they know they can have on people.

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