Life in the Saddle: Dressage at Painted Dreams Farm

The bond between mother and daughter is one of life’s most profound connections. For Dressage at Painted Dreams Farm co-owners Maria Mendonca-Collito and Morgan Collito, that close relationship extends beyond family and into their shared passion for horses. Located minutes from Upper Makefield Township in Wrightstown, the farm has grown into one of the area’s premier equestrian centers.

Maria had dreamed of riding horses since she was a child, but due to financial limitations, that dream was out of reach. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Boston University and a master’s degree from Yale School of Medicine to become a physician assistant (PA), she was finally able to pursue her lifelong passion. At 24, after becoming a PA, she started taking lessons which evolved into buying horses and participating in competitions. Now, she has been part of the equestrian community for more than 35 years.

“I love developing relationships with horses and watching them grow,” she says. “They teach you a lot, and you can teach them a lot. Riding is great for you physically and mentally, and it’s emotionally gratifying.”

Maria was living, working, and riding in New Jersey while raising two young children (ages 2 and 4 at the time) with her husband. When her husband passed away, she decided she needed a change of scenery and moved to her current property in Wrightstown in 2004. She named it Painted Dreams Farm in honor of her love for the Paint Horse breed. Her first horse was a Paint Horse named Romance With Me, who was used to teach children and beginners until the horse’s death at the age of 25.

When Maria purchased the land, there was just a stone house and a garage. Her plan was to build an indoor arena and stalls for private use. However, her life soon charged ahead on a different path.

“I had people constantly driving up my driveway asking me if I did lessons or if I offered boarding,” she says. “Originally my answer was ‘no,’ but after a year of that, I hired an instructor to do some kids’ lessons, and it took off from there. We just kept growing and growing, adding outdoor arenas; renovating a historic barn to stalls; and adding a dressage arena, more fields, and more pastures.”

A Shared Passion

Throughout the years, Maria became a certified and award-winning instructor and a United States Dressage Federation bronze medalist—all while still working full-time as a PA. Her daughter, Morgan, inherited the same deep connection to horses and has been hooked on riding since she was 3 years old. Maria first trained Morgan in the equine discipline of hunters and jumpers and then transitioned into dressage. By age 22, Morgan earned the United States Dressage Federation bronze, silver, and gold medals and has competed all the way through to the highest level at the Grand Prix. After graduating from Rider University, she became a co-owner of the farm and head trainer alongside her mother.

When the farm first opened more than two decades ago, they owned lesson horses and held summer camps to introduce people to the equestrian world. Over time, the program shifted to dressage shows. Ten years ago, the business was officially renamed Dressage at Painted Dreams Farm, since they only teach and train the dressage discipline now. Students of all ages and levels take lessons. For riders who do not own horses, well-schooled lesson horses and upper-level dressage horses are available for lease.

“Dressage is like ballet, but the horses are doing ballet, and you try to make it look as easy and seamless as possible” Morgan says. “Everyone starts off with the same skills of learning balance, steering, stop, and go, and then the training gets more specialized depending on the person’s goals. It starts off with the basics and goes up to Olympic-level competitions.”

Maria works primarily with intermediate riders, while Morgan trains competitive and upper-level students. They have additional instructors who work with children and adult beginners. The farm has about 22 boarders in full or partial training, which means Morgan rides and trains many of those horses several days a week while clients take lessons multiple times weekly with either her or Maria.

Kate Bariahtaris started riding at the farm nine years ago when she was 8 years old. She was initially trained by Maria, but as she progressed in dressage, she moved onto Morgan.

“Dressage is very challenging in the beginning, but when you get a skill and it clicks between you and your horse, it’s very special,” Bariahtaris says. “I owe a lot to Maria and Morgan. Maria got me going as a rider in those early years. Morgan helped me find my horse Dromoland. She also worked with us to get to national championships and win a bronze medal. They have helped my dreams come true.”

The mother-daughter team has gained notoriety for their business, and they now host competitions at the farm sponsored by GGT Footing, a premium equestrian surface company; Purina; and Bucks County Saddlery. Morgan is also sponsored in competitions by a French saddle brand, Forestier Sellier.

“This area is where a lot of people ride, and it’s a part of their lives,” Maria says. “This part of Bucks County and across the bridge in New Jersey are very big dressage areas also. There are a lot of recognized and schooling shows, so we can compete as much as we want. We also hold shows here, local to a lot of people,” Maria says.

Breeding the Next Generation

Maria and Morgan’s love of horses extends beyond teaching and competition. They are also breeders
of German Hanoverian horses. The first foal they ever bred just had its own foal, creating a second generation at the farm. Starting from the day they are born, the babies are carefully handled and taught to interact with humans. By age 3, the young horses begin training under the saddle, which means they can be ridden with a rider on their backs.

“I really like breeding, it’s my passion,” Morgan says. “I’ll start them from their first ride, and these young horses will become your partner and best friend. It’s amazing to say in competitions that I brought this horse up and we have a special connection because we’ve been together from day one.”

Today, about 40 horses live on the property, and roughly 60 riders regularly take lessons. Both owners say the welcoming atmosphere they have created is one of the farm’s greatest strengths. “We are very lucky because we have fantastic clients in every way,” Maria says. “They are great people who take amazing care of their horses and are nice to be around. We have a great barn family.”

Leslie Miller, who lives in New Hope and boards her horse Lola at the farm, is part of that family. “I’ve been here for five years and it’s a very kind of vibe,” she says. “Everyone here cares for each other and roots for each other. It’s a family feeling where we show up at shows and competitions to support one another.”

Galloping to Success

Living in a seasonal area, cold weather can make consistent training difficult. Maria and Morgan own a second farm in Wellington, Florida, which is widely known as the Dressage Capital of the United States. During some winters, they trailer horses south while clients travel down to continue training and competing.

Closer to home, Maria enjoys trail riding in Upper Makefield Township when the weather is good. She says Washington Crossing Historic Park’s trails are always nicely groomed, and the parking lots are spacious, which is important when hauling a rig with horses.

Outside of riding, Maria and Morgan have a tradition of enjoying Mother’s Day brunch at Washington Crossing Inn and attending historical reenactments at the park.

Maria estimates that the farm’s horses have helped teach thousands of people how to ride since 2004, and they continue to do so. Even though the owners exclusively focus on dressage now, they are proud of the impact they have had on generations of riders and how their skills will continue to mold future equestrians.

“It’s so rewarding teaching students because it’s my passion mixed with another person’s passion,” Morgan says. “Watching them learn a new skill or compete and seeing their success is so fulfilling.”

Dari Kotzker resides in Bucks County with her husband and four kids. She has worked as a reporter in television news and print media since 2001.

Photograph by Jennifer Janikic Photography