How old is too old for riding well?

Barbara F · Grand Prix

How old is too old for riding well?

MagsNMe · Advanced

At my barn, we have two very young at heart ladies, 71 and 81. The 81 year old lady has TWO horses she rides, one is 6. She still competes and wins. The lady who is 71 doesn't show any more, but has trained her one horse to PSG with our trainer, who will show him next year. You are never too old! They are total inspirations to me.

Ranna · Well Schooled

I don't think riding well is age related.

If I remember well Tom Dorrance rode at very old age. He just didn't want to stop.

dbliron · Advanced

Let'see...my Mum's still riding in competitions, and just finished her own and Nathan's Gold Medals at PSG this year. She's been Nathan's trainer all the way along, and she's now 72+. My Dad turns 70 in January, and he's still competing both nationally and internationally.

My Grandfather didn't stop starting colts until he was 77, and had a colt slip and fall on him, breaking several ribs and separating a kidney. We did manage to prevail upon him to leave off riding the youngsters, but he continued to ride (even on the range, after cattle) until his mid-80's...

Nikki Salo · Grand Prix

Connie Reeves rode until just short of her 102nd birthday, due to an unfortunate riding accident she passed on. She put in a good 90 years of riding though, and is estimated that she taught more then 30,000 girls how to ride. She is a Cowgirl Hall of Famer, ran a 10,000 acre ranch with her husband for 40 years and is a testament that age doesn't matter when it comes to loving horses.

Mykids · Yearling

You are only as old as you feel, so there is no age limit on how old you can be to ride a horse. May everyone ride as long as God and there body will let them.

spirithorse · Advanced

My oldest client ever is one I have now. She is 81 and learning to ride dressage

Horse-hearted · Advanced

Reach for the moon- even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.
Age only matters as much as we let it.

cjroyg · Well Schooled

As long as your are physically fit to ride and compete I don't think how old you are matters really.

Dillinger · Yearling

I think it's entirely an individual decision. I know a 90 year old woman who still fox hunts on a hot thoroughbred, and up until a few years ago was still backing babies! She has even broken her neck before. But she's been in the saddle her whole life, and still has a beautiful seat. She's an inspiration.

justice · Grand Prix

I didn't get the age limit memo, either : )

Jochen Schleese · Yearling

We just fitted a 93-year old client with her first Schleese in CA. She's absolutely a doll and you would be amazed to see how beautifully she rides! (I think we have her on our youtube channel - check her out!)

justice · Grand Prix

Passion knows no bounds : )