Life on the Barn Side
Horse Shows by the Bay Dressage Competition
Elder Riders in Dressage
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| Ingrid's groom braids her horse |
The elder rider: She is fulfilling her
dreams and trying to stay on and ace the test, but that is
just what happens in the show ring. On the barn side, she spends
time in lessons, watching her trainer ride her horse, grooming,
dressing and redressing, learning those tests, more grooming,
having her horse braided, unbraided and rebraided. Trying to
understand her horse, trying to keep her own anxiety level down and
listening to other riders for clues about how to make it all happen
just right.
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| Ingrid and her horse |
Ingrid is a good representative of many
of today's elder Dressage riders. At 69 and ½ years, she was one of
the oldest riders at the show, but many riders were in their 50s and
the average age of Dressage competitors is now 42 years old. She
adores her sensitive and reactive Arabian mare, and
respects her anxious personality. They are
somewhat alike.
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| Trainer, groom and Ingrid,ready for warm up at Horse Shows by the Bay Dressage |
Ingrid has had many injuries. Some
were horse induced, and some were from other sports and thrills she
has had in her life. She's decided that one more time off
and she is finished with riding, so she has
high hopes and a bit of trepidation with each ride. But she's
determined to show and reach her goals, so there she goes for one
more class.
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| in the dressage ring |
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| Thumbs up! She reached her goal. |
In this show she met her goals. First
of all
she had fun, second she didn't fall
off, and third she got through her test successfully without any
major screwups. You can seethe joy and pride in her eyes.
Women are tough. They have their share of injuries but they stick in there. I guess it is a trade off, as riding helps keep hips moving, improves core strength, and keeps us on track with staying in shape. Dressage is a sport you can do your entire life.
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| Well deserved break at the Dressage show |
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| Job well done |
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| Good pony! Denise leaves the dressage ring after a good ride. |
Another white haired elder, Denise,
rides with a well know trainer, and was at
theshow schooling a pony she hopes to sell
later on. A more experienced horse woman,
she exuded a calmer more confident vibe. She and her husband were returning to the Traverse City area for the horse show
after having had their honeymoon there 24 years ago. They love
the
show. He golfs while she spends the day working,
riding and hanging
out with other horse addicts at the
show. This year her daughter came along for one
last show before going off to the Naval Academy.
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| Suzi and Sam |
Suzi has been her daughter Susanna's greatest supporter. They have been to every Horse Show's
by the Bay with Sam, Susanna's 20 year old dressage horse. This is Susanna and Sam's last year to show together and Suzi will take over showing Sam next year. Suzi has passed the 60 year mark, but is ready to take on a new challenge. Suzi said “ I see other older women riding and having fun, so why not me?” Indeed, why not?
I heard this thought from somewhere else, “If you can ride down the centre line, halt at X, proceed to C, turn left to right, ride the corner and receive 10 marks for the movement, then your horse is ready for Grand Prix dressage and you’ll certainly win”. This gave me a tip in horse training.
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