20 year old veteran - still competing?

G

GreenEyedMonster

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 March 2014
Messages
209
Visit site
Do you think I'm wrong to compete my horse at the age of 20?

He has only done a few competitions in the last two years due to work commitments and school but aid like to try the new SCOPE 85cm and 95cm qualifiers.

He's naturally very fizzy but am I wrong to ask this of him at his age? He stills jogs and rears when he's fresh so I don't dou he'd be happy too but would it be frowned upon and should I leave him be?

We previously did Discovery/Newcomers so it's not a matter of him not having done it before it's just whether or not it's too much. My mum thinks he'd be fine and the physio thought he was in great shape last time she came out, he looks well and I know a lot of showjumping ponies compete into their late 20s but I'm paranoid.
I would so love at least one last year and one last attempt at SCOPE, he's my best friend and such a good chap it would be a shame. But I don't want to be selfish.
 
If he is fit and healthy I can't think of any reason why you shouldn't. In fact plenty of exercise is likely to be good for him. Just keep an eye out for any age related problems such as arthritis and be prepared to adapt your plans accordingly.
 
Horses have competed at Badminton aged 19, there are many in their 20's competing at lower levels, I had a pony here at livery that did some very small comps and light hunting when he was well into his 30's, as long as they are fit, sound and enjoy what they are doing I see no reason to stop.
 
No I don't think your selfish, go for it, your obviously a kind and considerate owner, his health checks are saying he's tip top so no reason to slow down just yet, and 85cm/95cm isn't to taxing (huge to me, I'm a pole on the ground girl now) !
 
My friends 27 year old mare is the fittest horse on our yard and shes going to be competing in trec/endurance again this summer.
 
My first pony was hunting until 23 and SJ until 26. He only stopped when we outgrew him and decided to let him enjoy his retirement (which he hated!)
 
Definitely keep them fit and active as long as possible.just be aware they may need reining in for their own good, making sure the ground is good etc.
My veterans competed well into their 20s.
 
If they're fit, keep them that way, and when you stop, let them down slowly. A sudden retirement can make an old horse literally fall apart at the seams.

My sister's horse did the BRC horse trials champs aged 19.
 
Pie is 20 this year and still competing - although we don't do anything huge, 90cm max in competitions. I have weekly lessons and between my instructor and I, I think we know him well enough to know when the time comes to stop competing. The thing is he acts like a horse half his age and he really loves competing and jumping. However I am mindful of his age and am more careful with the state of the ground, and making sure he is not over faced so he continues to enjoy it.
 
Christ no!
Frank and I only don't much as we don't have any transport of our own so he has to make do with hunting. I did get more careful with the ground after his hoof lameness issues though.
 
Listen to your horse. If he is fit and has no issues then there is no reason why not. Ive had my girl over 20 years now. She is 28, last year she did four county shows (we only do showing now) but she was evented up to 22 years old:

attachment.php


She enjoys work, loves going places. She has her legs bandaged to support her, we don't travel too far now. NEVER trot on roads or if the ground is hard we just walk. She still clocked up 21mph on the gallops last week with my other half riding her, even he couldn't slow her down!

My girl let me know when it was time to stop jumping, she started to stop at the wider fences if we were too far off. I listened and didn't push her, she means too much.

A year an half ago we did pop her into a local sj show (my other half's first canter was only a week before!) they ended up winning! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMkZZo87rNs not bad for an old girl, but goes to show if you look after them well, it will pay off.
 
Not a problem at all. My 23yr old came back into work last year, after 8 years doing very little - occasional hack. Got fit, qualified for BRC DTM champs, travelled 500 miles to the finals, and came 2nd!!!

She's 24 this year and planning to quadrilles with her. She's having a great time, is fit and well, and after all these years a pleasant ride :)

She's done a bit of jumping too, and will probably go to some RC Sj shows this year too.
 
Last edited:
I really wouldn't worry about it - keep an eye out for any discomfort, and be a little careful, but as long as you're both happy then keep on doing what you enjoy. Mr H is going to be 20 this year, and we're hopefully going out hunting together for the first time next season (admittedly only over small country, because he's short and I'm a bit of a wuss at times, but still), and he does jousting and barrel racing and all sorts on a semi-regular basis (he has a fan-club of small children because they get to try out new and exciting types of riding on him) alongside the usual schooling and hacking. He also does piaffe along the road on hacks sometimes, but that's entirely his own idea.
 
I think it's great for both of you. You obviously have his welfare at the front of your mind, so you are taking account of his age. Loads of eventers are doing four stars in their late teens.
 
Mine is 23 I don't compete anymore but only as my thing used to be sj and she just doesn't like it anymore. Still more than capable of hunting,fun rides doing the odd small xc. I regularly do 10 mile hacks on her and she trots non-stop every where. She isn't as fit or as fast as 10years ago but still gives younger ones a run for their money. As long as your horse is happy to do it keep em going I say
 
My old boy was still doing xc comps at 25 (and going faster than everyone else there, not exactly intentionally though).
 
Last edited:
Use it or lose it! Just be sensible and sensitive to how your horse is feeling/external factors that may influence her such as hard ground....same for any horse really!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top