Oldest rider?

[Landcruiser]

I was watching "Emergency" on Ch 4 last night and one of the patients was a 78 yr old horse rider who had broken his pelvis hitting the saddle hard while landing from a jump. He looked in very good shape for his age, and once fixed he was planning to carry on riding.
It set me wondering who's the oldest rider we have on here? I'm a mere spring chicken at 64, but having just backed my youngster I'm hoping to still be riding her in 15 or 20 years, if both of us hold up that long. I'm finding winters (on clay, 4 at home last winter) very tough these days but plan to downsize in a few yrs and go back to livery.
So, who's still riding in their 70s..80s............................90s??

 

[Jambarissa]

Oldest on my yard is 74. Can't really do much of the horse stiff but hacks out fine.

I think once I'm in my 90s I'll buy that nutty Welsh I've always wanted, may as well go out having fun.

 

[planete]

77 next week. Usually three times a week, twice hacking and once schooling, mostly in walk. If feeling too creaky I work in hand or long rein. Long trot sessions are becoming a bit too crippling unfortunately but I have fun seeing how responsive to small weight aids I can get the pony so I can use minimum effort for maximum effect in my eighties and be able to carry on. The plan is to eventually have a pony so well trained that a very geriatric rider can handle him and ride him safely.

 

[splashgirl45]

At 72 I was hacking out 5 or 6 times a week and was on DIY , the riding was no problem but the winter jobs were so I had to give up my loan.. am 78 now and would still be riding if I hadn’t been told quite forcibly by the doctors that I couldn’t risk another fall , so as I’ve got 3 dogs I couldn’t risk leaving them if I passed away. If I didn’t have dogs I would still be riding as I live on my own and don’t have any dependents

 

[Skib]

I am 84. Almost 85. Once a week I hack an IS share mare who is 15.2 high. I love her dearly. Mostly I hack alone but I sometimes ride with YM as I dont want to get scared of riding in company.
I canter alone, or canter in company if I can go first. The mare likes to lead and I am scared I might not be able to hold her back. But I like cantering

so I can use minimum effort for maximum effect in my eighties

Yes, that is how I ride. Luckilly, it is how I was taught to ride. With the honey horse I can even avoid aids and just say trit trot or canter. Mostly the words are to slow her down. She knows I like canter and given the chance she would rather canter than trot.
I should make it plain that I did not hack this week because YM (and NHS too) thought it was too hot for o.a.p.s. Apparently one could have a heart attack if too hot and my BP adds extra heat.
I missed a lot of riding last winter as again NHS were warning not to get cold and wet. However, I have decided my winter riding clothes are excellent and unless the wind is dangerous (i.e. trees likely to fall) I intend to ride every week next winter.

Riding has always been a treat but I dont know anyone else my age who still rides. Not thinking of it as a competitive thing but it would be nice to have a friend who rode horses.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I rode out nearly every day all year around up until I was 72. I had carefully selected and bought my new riding horse when I was 70, that I had hoped would see me riding until I was at least 80 (well done @Skib by the way, fabulous to read you are still riding)

Unfortunately about 3 years ago I had a stupid ground accident putting my new horse out in the field when my daft old retired mare decided to bite him on the bum, I don't remember every detail but they both galloped over me and I ended up unconscious on the concrete yard. That caused a lot of hip and back problems that kept me off horses until I had new hips replaced etc. But unfortunately I then developed quite a few other serious heart and health issues and have become very immobile so the new horse has been sold back to his previous owner and I just enjoy watching my son look after my retired horse and my donkeys.

I can't complain though I have been riding and had horses since I was 3 years old, so life has been good but I do still miss it, I guess I always will now. Lovely to read that some of you older riders are still out their enjoying yourselves, long may it last for you.

 

[Landcruiser]

I am 84. Almost 85. Once a week I hack an IS share mare who is 15.2 high. I love her dearly. Mostly I hack alone but I sometimes ride with YM as I dont want to get scared of riding in company.
I canter alone, or canter in company if I can go first. The mare likes to lead and I am scared I might not be able to hold her back. But I like cantering

Yes, that is how I ride. Luckilly, it is how I was taught to ride. With the honey horse I can even avoid aids and just say trit trot or canter. Mostly the words are to slow her down. She knows I like canter and given the chance she would rather canter than trot.
I should make it plain that I did not hack this week because YM (and NHS too) thought it was too hot for o.a.p.s. Apparently one could have a heart attack if too hot and my BP adds extra heat.
I missed a lot of riding last winter as again NHS were warning not to get cold and wet. However, I have decided my winter riding clothes are excellent and unless the wind is dangerous (i.e. trees likely to fall) I intend to ride every week next winter.

Riding has always been a treat but I dont know anyone else my age who still rides. Not thinking of it as a competitive thing but it would be nice to have a friend who rode horses.

Winning so far! What a lovely post, and what a hopeful thread

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

Not on here but my sister now 69 and BiL 70 got back into riding in 2016 when I said I wanted to do an Iceland trek. We went on a half-day ride and they were hooked. They started having lessons again and the following year we did a 6 day trek to Landmannalaugar riding with a herd of Icelandics.

The following year they went again and did a different trek. Since then they done Trans-Wales twice, some of the shorter 3-day rides with trans- Wales multiple times. They’ve trekked across Scotland, done Dartmoor on quarter horses herding cattle twice, Cappadocia on Arabs and Arab crosses, Croatia. They choose the fastest and most challenging rides they can find! BiL was knocked unconscious in Cappadocia and they’ve both had a few falls but it hasn’t put them off.

Whilst not away they hack out and have a lesson every week.

I’m only 54 but they put me to shame. They’re fitter than me but haven’t had the mucking out, poo-picking and heavy lifting like I have which takes its toll.

 

[Skib]

Lovely to read that some of you older riders are still out their enjoying yourselves, long may it last for you.

But unlke you I didnt start riding till I was 61, so my riding joints were not worn out. Both OH and I were book worms, hated sports and came top in exams. So now in our 80s we are (it seems) fitter than our more athletic contemporaries.
And besides we havent had the manual labour of keeping our own horses. I ride, because like a toddler, I have kind people to saddle up for me, and help me mount and dismount. They treat me as kindly as if I were another old horse.

 

[humblepie]

Wow impressive - not on here but I saw a video early today of Johnny Greenwood former top show jumper riding a 7 year old - I think he is 88 and still looking styish. I remember standing next to him at a show back in the late 1980s with my ex racehorse telling her to chat to his Grade A horse and get some tips!

Skib - that is amazing and how lovely that you started riding at 61.

 

[Cortez]

I'm 65 and whilst I still can ride (and occasionally hop up on students' horses to sort something out), I'm pretty buggered up from all the peripheral toil so don't have a horse of my own or ride any more. I may consider it if I could somehow arrange to be handed one fully tacked up and ready to go, to be passed back to someone when I'm done, but that really isn't my style. I don't miss it, and I especially don't miss the long, hard winters and accompanying endless labour.

I used to work for a rather eccentric lady in America who was 92 and still "riding" her 27 year old homebred horse once a week, led at a very stately walk and fully kitted out in hunting attire. When her hips got too bad she sat up on a sidesaddle to do the same; when even that was impossible I broke the old bugger (he was an ornery beast) to drive and we processed around the lawns of her considerable estate. She died on Christmas day with a glass of sherry in her hand. The old horse died at 31 and is buried beside her on the estate.

 

[Skib]

handed one fully tacked up and ready to go, to be passed back to someone when I'm done

That is how I ride. Except I put on the bridle before leaving and when I get back, I untack her, put her back in her box, sponge the sweat in summer and rug her in winter.

 

[Greylegs]

I'm 70, so a spring chicken compared to some of you wonderful lot! But ride my mare (chunky, 10yo 16hh Irish cob) 2-3 times a week and have been hacking my friend's lovely connie once a week. Has a bit of a wobble about it all over the winter but am back at it now and no plans to give up any time soon.

 

[MereChristmas]

I’m 75 in a couple of weeks and began riding when I was 10. I’ve owned horses since I was 17.
About 3 years ago Mr M and I decided that the work on the land and looking after ponies at home was becoming too much. I had down sized to one pony for me but F, the latest, did not like living alone so off he went to full livery. I usually ride 3 or 4 times a week. For F I tack up, untack, groom, bath and turn out or bring in when I need him at odd times. I don’t need to muck out but I always skip out or top up water if necessary. I do the occasional Intro test to support my Riding club and go to fun rides but mostly hack out from the yard. I never go alone now because the lane to the woods is a rabbit run. The YM and staff are wonderful and I can ride with them when they exercise the big horses.

 

[Surbie]

Our oldest rider at my RDA is somewhere in their 80s - not quite sure where as it's not a number they want to admit to! They now only ride in walk, and they walk with a stick themselves, but they are there every week. Rain or shine.

 

[paddy555]

Wow impressive - not on here but I saw a video early today of Johnny Greenwood former top show jumper riding a 7 year old - I think he is 88 and still looking styish. I remember standing next to him at a show back in the late 1980s with my ex racehorse telling her to chat to his Grade A horse and get some tips!

Skib - that is amazing and how lovely that you started riding at 61.

purely by chance that has just come up on my FB

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1537748050202034

 

[TTK]

I'm a baby of 69 and ride my 12 year old and my 3 year old 6 days a week. And look after them by myself at home. Though I must admit I don't look forward to winter. The secret is pacing myself and I don't jump but do enjoy a canter up the hill. Long may it last.

 

[eahotson]

I'm 65 and whilst I still can ride (and occasionally hop up on students' horses to sort something out), I'm pretty buggered up from all the peripheral toil so don't have a horse of my own or ride any more. I may consider it if I could somehow arrange to be handed one fully tacked up and ready to go, to be passed back to someone when I'm done, but that really isn't my style. I don't miss it, and I especially don't miss the long, hard winters and accompanying endless labour.

I used to work for a rather eccentric lady in America who was 92 and still "riding" her 27 year old homebred horse once a week, led at a very stately walk and fully kitted out in hunting attire. When her hips got too bad she sat up on a sidesaddle to do the same; when even that was impossible I broke the old bugger (he was an ornery beast) to drive and we processed around the lawns of her considerable estate. She died on Christmas day with a glass of sherry in her hand. The old horse died at 31 and is buried beside her on the estate.

Wonderful.

 

[canteron]

I am (well quite old) and still firmly believe my best years are ahead of me. While most of my friends have given up, I still know contemporaries now in their late 60’s who are out competing and putting all us wimps to shame.

I do think a lot of the secret is understanding if you want to keep active you have to work at it harder than in your 40’s, so a bit of Pilates and yoga, tennis, hiking on top of a generally active life helps a lot.

 

[Skib]

I never had very strong arms even as a schoolgirl. I cant lift the saddle onto the horse's back. I think that is the only thing I cant do. I find it is actually easier to balance on ones seat bones in the saddle than it is to balance on ones feet walking up the steps of the concrete mounting block.

 

[Trouper]

On the glide path to 77 and can "technically" still ride though deteriorating knees make any schooling moves tricky and mounting requires a high block. My physio positively recommended riding for my fused lower spine to keep as much mobility as possible so the plan is never to quite give up!!

@Cortez - loved the story of your American lady - what a way to go!!

 

[eahotson]

On the glide path to 77 and can "technically" still ride though deteriorating knees make any schooling moves tricky and mounting requires a high block. My physio positively recommended riding for my fused lower spine to keep as much mobility as possible so the plan is never to quite give up!!

@Cortez - loved the story of your American lady - what a way to go!!

My doctor husband also said that riding was good for the spine.

 

[paddy555]

. arrange to be handed one fully tacked up and ready to go, to be passed back to someone when I'm done,

that would be wonderful, problem is that "someone" seems to be me.

shame.

I do think a lot of the secret is understanding if you want to keep active you have to work at it harder than in your 40’s, so a bit of Pilates and yoga, tennis, hiking on top of a generally active life helps a lot.

totally agree with this. I don't do yoga, hiking etc but I have always done lots and lots of physical work around the place and without that I would not still be fit enough to continue to do it. OH is the same.

 

[cornbrodolly]

OH is 74, I m 69. He s fitter than me in every way . His horse is a warmblood , and he still trains and competes in dressage. I m side saddle only , because of dicky hips. We have ridden out together since we met in 1980. The thought of not being able to do that is beyond depressing. We look after our 4 ourselves [ plus cattle] and intend to carry on till we drop.

 

[BSL2]

I'm 58, got an arab a shetland, and part new forest x paint coming in Nov/Dec. Oh he is 8 months old. Planning to back and bring on myself. This thread has made me feel so much better

 

[tristars]

I will be76 after Xmas, my oldest horse a stallion will be 24 next year, I hope we make it to next year we will add up to 100years between the two of us.

I have 3 riding horses, the stallion, and a 16,2hh gelding pre x Anglo Arab a powerful big eventing type, and the rescue cobby trotter thingy who is just getting the hang of canter, and we are hoping to debut in the dressage arena at some point, I sometimes ride 2 or 3 a day, have a knee which is a bit dodgy, but the regular riding makes you fit in a holding it alltogether kind of way, carrying for as long as possible.

 

[suebou]

I thought I was reasonably old but at 66, with a 31 year old pony, a 22 yo DWB Mare and a potential WHW 19 yo on its way, I’m just a youngster!
I did do ten days camping in Jordan earlier this year and just come back from four days in Spain…both riding obviously!

 

[AutumnDays]

Lovely to hear so many are still enjoying riding! I am slightly envious though, after having to retire from riding at the age of 36 due to a spinal injury and nerve damage... Please all have a happy hack out for me!

 

[suestowford]

This thread has made me feel quite youthful
It was interesting to see that most of the oldest athletes at the Olympics were in equestrian sport. And think also of the Queen, who rode out hacking well into her 90s. Perhaps riding is something that completely illustrates the saying 'what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger'.

 

[poiuytrewq]

When i first moved to this area we used to ride past a lovely little house with stables in the garden. It was owned i was told by a lady known as Irish Joy. Irish Joy was in her 90's and hunted all winter long on a little coloured cob. I never saw her ride but she was always there mucking him out or whatever and I was told she absolutely didn't hold back, He was up at the front jumping!