Any one here do their first event (starter counts!) when they were nearly 65? Or know of someone? How old is the oldest competitor that you know ? no names, please! I have watched another season pass for reasons not disclosed and am feeling sorry for myself. .
Iāve seen a couple articles recently about people doing their first events in their late 50s/60sā¦Iāll have to see if I can remember where they were. Not eventing related, but I recently read the list of riders in the Mongol Derby and found it interesting that a couple of them didnāt start riding until they were in their 50s. Although Iām not quite yet in my 50s, Iām close and have had some breaks in riding (and didnāt start at all until I was in my 30s) and Iām trying to get back to eventing, and reading about people starting riding in their 50s and then tacking the Mongol Derby is inspiring. http://www.endurance.net/international/Mongolia/2017MongolDerby/
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One of our whippers-in at the hunt club is riding Prelim at 66 --she started after he kids/grandkids got out of horses. I think she was about 50-55 when she started BN with her hunt horse. She did well enough and has worked her way up. I think riding in the Rolex is something sheād like to do --and with a little luck, she will!
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Denny Emerson posts fondly about Walt Gervais often:
http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/walter-gervais
Took up riding in his 50s. First novice event at 69, first prelim at 72, CCI* at 75.
There are some ladies in my area who are eventing in their 60ās. I donāt know their exact ages or their histories with horses though. Some seem to be lifelong riders, but not all.
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Have a look at www.wobbleberries.com a response to the sad death of Hannah Francis, a brave young event rider who died from cancer in 2016. She founded the Willberry Wonder Pony charity which is v active in UK eventing and several wimpy, middle-aged people have decided to have a go to raise money hence the āWobbleberriesā. Lots of inspirational stories there.
You are just a child, my dear!!! Do you have a trusty steed that would take care of you? Keep fit, train, and donāt worry about the scores because your experience will give you skills.
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Definitely inspiring to hear!
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Thanks! Have steed, trusty part Is a bit weak. May need to lease a BTDT to get my confidence back. I just want to jump an entire course - you are correct that scores are irrelevant.
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Not over 60, but it is in view. Also feeling sorry for myself. Been seriously aspiring to do a ālogs on the groundā and āx-railsā level horse trial for several years now. First couple of aspiring years were spent trying to make it happen with a horse who in the end was too much for me - although based on his training and experience, he should have been just fine. A broken collar bone last summer ended all aspirations with that horse, and I have since part leased a couple of different horses. The first was just a solid good old guy who helped me get going again, but he is not sound for jumping. The current part lease is capable but hot over fences - as in gets revved up over ground poles. My milestones this summer have been trotting a couple of logs and x-rails. Iām trying to focus on enjoying each ride and therefore the journey, but dammit I didnāt think my grasshopper horse trial goal was going to be on a five year plan.
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I know several women over 55 and 60 running around PRelim and Intermediate. And LOTS at T and below. You can do it!!
G&T,
Yup, that about sums it up. A five year planā¦ I am going to remember that quote
Look up Tamarack Hill Farmās (Denny Emersonās) post on FB from about 10 hours ago about age and ridingā¦
Edited to add: I just glanced at some of the 240 comments, and there are many inspirational ones. Definitely scroll through if you need inspiration.
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Thanks, Lep - am going to look at those!
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I donāt like to think about age. I would rather do what I feel I am capable of until I canāt do it anymore. I just entered a Novice recognized after a few Novice unrecognized outings this year and hope on this horse to get to Training level by next season. The other horse is coasting toward 2nd level in dressage and may do a little jumping to Beginner Novice, but he could easily jump Preliminary - not sure I want to ride that horse at that level, however. Heās a bit opinionated. I have certainly hunted over large enough jumps.
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DH did not even start riding until he was 56yo - total non-horsey CityBoy.
By 70 he was Eventing with me (18yrs younger) doing BNH but schooling to Training at home.
We were fortunate to board at a place with 40ac and a Xcountry course with BN to Training fences.
Plus a very good & supportive trainer.
OP: Find yourself the Trusty Steed & good coach & Enjoy!
