Ada Gates Patton, Trailblazing Farrier, to Share Her Extraordinary Journey

In 1978, when the equestrian world was dominated by men, Ada Gates Patton shattered gender norms and made history by becoming the first woman farrier licensed to shoe thoroughbred racehorses in both the United States and Canada. Her groundbreaking accomplishment not only opened doors for future generations of women in the field but also propelled her into the national spotlight, landing her appearances on popular television programs such as Late Night with David Letterman, What’s My Line, To Tell the Truth, and The Today Show.

On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, Patton will share her remarkable story at the Pasadena Rotary Club’s meeting, offering a glimpse into the unexpected choices and unique experiences that shaped her trailblazing career.

The meeting, held at the University Club of Pasadena, is open to the public, with non-members welcome to attend for a fee of $45, which includes lunch.

Patton’s journey into the world of farriery began with a lifelong love for horses. Growing up in New York City, she had a pony from the age of 4 and always relied on a blacksmith to care for her horse. Her passion for equines eventually led her to start as a volunteer at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. Linda Klausner, former equestrian chair of the Rose Parade, asked Patton to help create specifications for horseshoes and inspect horses to ensure compliance.

For more than 20 years, Patton has been inspecting every horse that participates in the Rose Parade. “My only job is to make sure that every horse has on the proper shoes with traction devices on them, so that when they go down five miles of pavement in the Rose Parade, they do not slip on the pavement,” she told Pasadena Now in December 2021.

Patton’s dedication to the equine industry extends far beyond her role as the official horseshoe inspector for the Rose Parade. She served as the farrier liaison for the 1984 Olympic Games, presented various seminars, and has been a member of the California Thoroughbred Foundation Board of Directors. In 2008, she was honored with the Edward Martin Humanitarian Award at the American Farrier’s Association Convention in Lexington, Kentucky, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the profession.

More recently, Patton served on the farrier committee for the World Equestrian Games and was inducted into the American Farriers Hall of Fame, solidifying her legacy as one of the most influential figures in farriery. Despite her numerous achievements, she remains humble and grounded, always eager to share her knowledge and experiences with others. As the farrier consultant for the Online University of horse trainer Monty Roberts, Patton continues to inspire and educate aspiring farriers around the globe.

The Rotary Club of Pasadena holds its weekly meetings every Wednesday from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the University Club of Pasadena, located at 175 N. Oakland Ave. Guests are encouraged to attend, and the meeting fee is $45, which includes lunch. Reservations must be made by 5 p.m. on the Monday prior to the meeting. To RSVP, participants can visit this link or contact Wendy Anderson via email at office@pasadenarotary.com.

Additionally, the Club offers the option to attend meetings via Zoom free of charge, though it notes that coverage is minimal. The Zoom session opens at 12:15 p.m., with the meeting officially starting at 12:30 p.m. To join the Zoom meeting, use the following link, with Meeting ID: 865 1510 1523 and Passcode: 667356.