02/10/2026
Honoring Lady Liz who is not parading this year but holds a special place in the hearts of the Ladies Godiva! Look for her in the quarter these days still seeing the streets of NOLA between the ears. 💜💚💛🐎
"I have ALWAYS loved all equines, and got my first horse for my 13th birthday. While I’ve never had any formal riding instruction, my horse, Toby, and I were fearless as we rode all over Harahan and the Mississippi River levee – sometimes even swimming together in the river batture. And as I watched mounted horse units in Carnival parades over the years, I always thought, “One day I’m going to ride a horse in a parade.” When I saw the Ladies Godiva in Muses their first year I knew - I HAVE to do that!
As school, work, and family took most of my time and money, I was without a horse from 17 years old until I got Bandit for my 55th birthday. But once I got him, I immediately resumed my interest in riding with the Lady Godiva group. It helped that Ellen Kruger, one of the founding members, kept her horse at the same place I boarded mine. In 2019 I fulfilled my lifelong dream of riding my own horse in a Carnival parade, and it was even more incredible than I imagined - because I got to do it ‘naked’ as a Lady Godiva! It was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life.
Having ridden on a float in Orpheus a couple of times in the years before, I knew the exhilaration of viewing the parade as a participant rather than spectator. But to ride a horse, and be able to see the revelers on both sides of the streets as the parade was passing, was just… indescribable. It made my heart VERY happy!
Sadly, Bandit and I only rode with Lady Godiva one time. He and I still enjoy more leisurely rides along the levee, with an occasional ride through Audubon Park. But he’s 26 now, and I’m… much older.
I still get plenty of equine exposure, though. After retiring from 35 years of corporate travel management, I began working with Royal Carriages doing mule-drawn carriage tours in the French Quarter. If I thought seeing a Carnival parade “between the ears” was a thrilling perspective, seeing the Quarter that way has been truly unbelievable. My love for horses, donkeys, and mules has been fully requited at work and play! Laissez le bon temps rouler!"
Jeff Goad Kurt Owens