Re: RC: older campaigners

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/16/00 8:41:53 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
tina@liveonthenet.com writes:

<< I'm interested in hearing from some of you that are riding more mature
 horses in rides, like 14 or 15 years and up....
 
 Are any of out there riding guys that are in their teens in 50s or 100s?
 Is there an age where you had to slow down some gradually over time
 (aside from an injury) or do you find they just keep going until
 arthritis or some other age/impact related problem retires them? >>

Many horses don't hit their best years for this sport until they are at least 
into double digits, and there are many going strong in their mid and late 
teens.  Sprinting is a young critter's game to a degree, but endurance is 
not.  The oldest horse I've campaigned really hard was 19--did 18 rides with 
her that year with 17 Top Tens.  I've vetted MANY older horses who do equally 
well.  I don't really see much of a slow-down until around 20, and even then, 
many are out there completing and doing pretty darn well.

My "main man" went blind at 18, and I feel like he has been cheated of some 
of his best riding years.  (He is still rideable, but obviously not to his 
potential, as he literally needs a "seeing eye" rider.)  My husband's horse 
is 18 this year, and is just hitting his stride, having not even started this 
until he was 15.  (In fact, he had lived the previous 8 years pretty much in 
a box stall.)  He has over 800 miles and a fair number of Top Tens--and seems 
to just be getting better.

Rio was still pretty capable at 19 when he Top Tenned the WEC in Kansas with 
a Swedish rider and walked away with Best Condition...

Heidi



Heidi