Only for the over 50's! Are you still ambitious?

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canteron

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I hope that does't mean only me!

Over the past decade a lot of my friends have sold their horses and given up riding, and I would love to know its not just me left. Sometimes I question whether I too should start to slowly let things start to slide.

But, I actually feel that I am riding better than ever, have a great bond with my horse and am really excited about 2013.

All being equal, we plan to do start jumping again (she has been out and about, just not with me) and plan to have a happy Summer doing Working Hunter classes, maybe a XC course (non competitve I think) and some sponsored rides.

Is there anyone else as ancient as me who still has (horsey) things left they aim to achieve.
 
Heck I only came back to riding in my late 40's,don't write me off yet I'm 63 next month and aim to be riding for at least another 30+ years! ;)
 
Yes me. I've only been riding for less than two years but I want to try dressage at some point. Might even try SJ if I find the right horse :) So just starting my journey but there's life in the old girl yet..fortunately I've always kept quite fit although riding is a whole different set of muscles. Am loving it.:)
P'S I'm 54
 
Oh yes! But not in the same way; I don't compete very much any more, but I did a LOT for over 10 years (was competing @ PSG). Now I do mostly display and film/TV work, so a very different set of requirements. I still want to be the best at what I do, and want my horses to constantly improve, but the parameters are less clearcut nowadays. Now I want the best, and safest, rear, or levade or whatever. Keeps it intrestin'
 
Me, and im also looking for a new horse to event next year while i try to turn my tb ex eventer, retired from eventing early through injury into a low level dressage girl.
While i still enjoy it, competing isnt the be all and end all for me now though as i get just as big a kick out of helping a horse learn to work properly through proper schooling.
That said theres no bigger buzz than romping home after flying round a xc course :D:D
 
Yes I am. Not in a competitive way but I've got some ambitious targets for myself. I am fascinated by the vaquero tradition and want to ride a bit like Buck Brannaman! Every time I think it's too hard and I might just go back to being normal, my wonderful horses give me a glimpse of what I'm after and I carry on.
I think once you stop learning you stop living.
 
Well I am 51 and thought my competitive days were over as my old boy is 20 next year and he doesnt enjoy his schooling any longer, so is pretty much a field ornament/happy hacker. On top of that I am not as fit as I once was, but oddly enough am a lot lighter than I was when I was competing. However, I still have the bug .......

On my bucket list is that I wish to ride around a BE90, for charity, on Mini TX's eventer. I guess I should really do a BE80T, but would have to ride HC as mare has points, so will find a BE90 Open and go for it, as majorily competitive. I would trust that mare with my life to get me around in one piece and look after me. I would also love to do more dressage and if I had more time would buy another horse to do it on.

As far as I am concerned I am riding until I physically am unable to do so. For those of you that hunt, I am sure you have seen the mad old ladies who ride at the fences that make you quake, with a 'kick on, hold on lovey' full of hip flask? Well I want to be one of those, and if I meet my maker out hunting, then what a way to go!!!!!
 
After ten years away from horses, 3 years ago I bought a 10 month old Knabstrupper - she will be 4 in march and has spent this last year being broken and ridden away by myself and two lovely friends - at the moment she is having time off and will be brought back into work in the spring and then the fun begins, with lots of hacking, a few local shows, dressage and a few fun rides. I'm 59 and she is my reason to get up each day. No major ambitions just to make her into a lovely well behaved, safe horse.
 
My Mum lost her old pony when he was 29 and she was 78 (they'd had a celebratory hack with me on their combined 100th :D).

She'd had breast cancer, my Dad had dementia, she had scoliosis of the spine all her life which was getting worse, her pelvis was crook, but she was STILL talking (Gawd help me!) about getting another pony approaching her 80th when she had a disagreement with a car, and lost :o

She knew her riding days were numbered, really, so had taken up driving... but I'm damned sure if a pony had come along that needed her love, it'd have been on the yard like a shot...

So if I ever (aged 45) feel creaky of a winter's morning, I think that I have only got about half way yet. :D
 
I have been riding for 50 years, had my horses on DIY, whilst working full time for the last 36 years (and without any support from a partner for the last 16 years) - so yes all the ambition has gone (worn out) and when my current horse pops his cloggs that will be it. Don't know what he will be replaced with - maybe a good carribean holiday - but every year it gets harder
 
Yes of course, Lots to aim for.
I have a great little mare who is six years old, been bringing her on slowly, 2013 is the year to get competitive!
Also am loving variety and will aim to enter a Western show soon...
 
I'm hoping to come off over a huge hedge out jumping when I'm 90 and pop my clogs :D

Before then I hope to ride Grand Prix movements on a horse I have trained myself, because I'm too chicken to event over fixed fences any more.
 
Yes!! I'm another 57 who has 2 horses, my youngster is only 5 so I have lots of plans for him- low level competition, dressage, SJ, XC, my favourite- combined training- and maybe some hunting!! My only concession is a Hit-Air jacket!!! :D:D:D
 
67 and still going! Allow myself to be a little more restrained than I used to be re jumping big fences, and always wear a body protector. Have got sonsored rides, bit of xc and dressage and local sj - all very low key and local - planned for next year, and practicing/ training as much as the weather will allow! As Mother used to say "kick on and always look ahead and you'll be fine"!
 
Great thread. I'm 54 and I've had my 6 year old for 3 years. I'm not competitive at all but still love to ride - I too now wear an air jacket!
 
Not quite 50 yet but just want to thank all who have posted to give us all something to look forward to!
I have always been inspired by a local couple who still hunt now they are in their eighties! They said last season that they tend to avoid the big hedges these days although there is the odd occasion when they get carried away and forget how old they are!
 
I'm 55 and always said when my 2 boys fully retired, so would I. They are now 25 and 21. Then a few years ago I was offered and took an ex racehorse - he's now 13 and thought he'd keep me going for a few more years. During this time I was single and working more than full time to keep them. Now I've had a big change in my personal circumstances - got married to a lovely man who's into the horses and seems to like buying stuff!! So suddenly we have 7 - eek! 1x 5yo, 2 x 6yo and 1 x 7yo, plus the original 3! The ambition is still there, but am currently nursing a very poorly knee (large dogs related injury, not horse,) and am just hoping that I'm physically up to it! I have to say that doing 6 myself (1 is away at a friends) and working full time is definitely more of a challenge than 30 years ago! The trouble with this sport is that by the time you can afford to buy the horses, big truck etc, you're too old to make the most of them!
 
I'm not over 50 *please don't kick me out* I'm only 30 but I just wanted to say I love posts like this.

I have a youngster (3 in spring) and I often feel I am too old to be dealing with a youngster and need something older. Maybe it's because I have 2 children under 5 so I'm always tired!

This post makes me realise how silly I am!
 
Hell yes! Have always done unaffiliated competitions, a bit of hunting & RC stuff and affiliated Le Trec with previous horse, but circumstances gave me the opportunity to buy a horse in the summer who could do a lot more although needs a lot of work as green.

Have achieved all I want in my career so my equestrian bucket list is long!

Yesterday, I had an hours advanced dressage lesson on a mechanical horse and did flying changes, passage, piaffe and half-pass to get the feel (although I ache in places I didn't know existed today!)

Over the winter I am doing clinics both SJ and XC to get round a BE course next year; ideally 90 but happy with 80.

Want to affiliate dressage and gain points.

Was 51 a couple of weeks ago so lots to achieve over next 20 odd years!
 
After the Current Appy did so well at the breed show, I have decided to take her to a couple of county shows, which have classes for her, this summer :eek: That is of course provided we manage to over come the waggon issues. :)
 
I've gone down the driving route as a late starter to competitive horsey things, I still have to get through cones without freezing up, can do the dressage and obstacles. But I want to jump a five bar gate before I hang up my stirrups.
 
Yes nearer 60 than 50 but I still want to do so many things. Mostly from the ground now due to pain issues but I want to produce a horse as a worker in a HOYS qualifier with a chance of getting placed dont think we will win but I would like her to get placed. The jockey is young enough for it and the pony talented but we are not a face so we will have to wait and see.
Would love too to get the ponies out and go on the beach again but will need to see if I can ride long enough first I have ridden for a few minutes and enjoyed it very much so need to build up my strength again and see if I can go further
 
LOL I have to say I feel insulted!!!! I am 69 and in the past 15 years I have learned completely new and I think better ways of doing things!!! I have taken clinics and learned so much!! In the past few months I have decided not to bother to learn to ride better (I feel I am a sympathetic rider, but not top level!!) but to continue enjoying my ponies. I am bringing on a youngish one as well as a middle aged 'pull out of the paddock and ride' mare!!! I am not competetive but I will do some more low distance endurance rides - it's a great way of getting out and about and seeing new country!!! I have in my minds eye HM The Queen and Bazy Tankersley as my ideals!! However that's not to say...I will continue to read and try out different techniques, such as Enlightened Riding which I am trying at the moment. When you think you know it all....!!!!
 
I'm 58 and don't ride too much anymore. A mis-aligned hip that caused 5 Cesarians is now preventing me from riding. What I did was get under the horse and start rehabbing feet about 15 years ago. I'd probably be in better shape if I'd got on the horse instead. Getting into this sure gave me a new lease on life. The learning continues every day and considering the poor grades I got in high school, I have new faith in myself and abilities. Its amazing how easy it is if you are passionate about something. I've saved some horses and made countless others comfortable. I am looking forward in life now, more than ever.
The biggest bonus from all this, is that I am finding ways to keep horses better, easier and cheaper along the way. I don't have to clean stalls anymore, don't need bedding, don't have to feed meals and don't have to worry that horses are not getting enough movement, don't make trips to the feed store and don't need a farrier. It doesn't matter how old I'll be when the time comes, without horses, I will not be a happy camper, period. My intention is to delay that day as long as humanly possible.
 
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