Submitted by Rachel Devick - So much love for the older horse ❤️ Ben, 21, showing me the ropes at Prix St Georges. Photo by Q2 Photography
We are celebrating the special horses in our lives that are ages 20 & up all month long through October. We recently asked our social media followers to share photos of their favorite senior horses, and were overwhelmed by the response we got! Check out some of these wonderful older horses here, and check back all month for stories and galleries highlighting Golden Oldies.
My Senior Horse INDY. Swedish Warmblood by Laylock, out of Zorina, by Zorn. Technically he must be the Former USDF First Horse as a former USDF President’s horse. – Lisa GorrettaNo longer competing… at age 29, he stays busy doing a little blanket and tack modeling. He is transitioning from light dressage work to a full retirement facility at the end of this month. He will, as always, insist upon being the center of attention in his new home. – Lisa GorrettaMy sweet boy Remi is 30 but 5 at heart ♥️ – Rachael H.First time showing the PSG on my 24yr old schoolmaster Poe 😍 – Kylee M.Legatto 25 year old school master that earned me my silver medal a few years ago! Read Legatto’s story here! – Cassidy S.Grande O Zoo “Gallagher” – 22 year old Hanoverian/ Dutch warmblood gelding. He’s the sweetest, most patient guy who’s taught me so much. We ended our second year of showing together with a trip to the regional competition which was a lofty goal of mine ❤️ – Sarah M.Greyson. 23-25 year old unregistered Arabian cross and former dressage mount turned school horse. – Jessica M.-J.My 14 year old daughter’s 26 year old, Oliver Twist. They’ve been dance partners for 5 years. Ollie has brought Reya up the levels. Last year they received their 🥉. Ollie is an amazing horse and a huge part of our family. ❤️ An absolutely amazing gentleman who has always taken care of his girl! (This is a picture of the duo at the ending halt, which they received a perfect score of 10!) – Janine S.Cygaro, 20 yo Polish Warmblood. Has earned himself USDF Performance Certificates at PSG and 4th level as well as helping earn no less than 4 silver medals and 5 bronze. He is a delightful elder statesman and it is a privilege to ride and care for him. – Jennifer B.Jacobs Arch- 21 yo OTTB with hardware in his knee from a racing injury. Got him from an ottb rescue at age 17, Came into the recognized dressage world at 20 yo and competed at regionals his first year. Hoping to nab the champ spot for MFS 1st level all breeds for jockey club. He is the best of boys ❤️ – Justine P.“Just Chance” 27 years old Thoroughbred showing Prix St Georges 💕. – Sandi S.Regatt’s Rainbow 21 year old Morgan Gelding was pulled from auction at the age of 14 by the rescue Forever Morgans. We were lucky enough to adopt him..He is the sweetest gentleman.. We broke him to saddle at the age of 19 and last year at the age of 20 he won the New England Morgan Regional Western dressage intro level championship and traveled all the way to OKC from MA to the Morgan Grand National were he earned himself World Championship 6th overall in the western dressage intro level! He is everything a Morgan should be, kind, versatile, beautiful and strong! He is semi retired now, but being a Morgan who always wants to work and the fact that he loves to drive…he gets to come out and jog around the property each day which he does joyfully! – Katie C.My recently retired 21yo TB gelding, Wizard of Oz, and me with our 2021 Year End Award from our local Dressage society. Classical dressage has been a second career for both of us; Oz is a former Preliminary level eventer, and I started out with Hunter/Jumpers before switching over a few years ago. – Haley U.My Rita (True Serenity) now 20. Been together 12 years and she earned me my bronze. Not bad for a little 1/2 Arab bought for $5k. – Tonya S.Townshend Pep Talk “Pep” 21 year old Morgan gelding. I’ve owned him since he was 4! We have shown day shows and three day shows since he was 5, he loves to perform. – Trisha C. USDF strongly recommends all riders wear protective headgear when mountedMy 26 year old Paint gelding, Lakota. He has been my partner in crime for 15 years next month. He’s carried me through high school, college, breakups, new relationships, my father’s passing and most recently, my engagement to the love of my life. He was featured in our engagement photos and was decidedly unimpressed 😂💗 – Colleen D.Springer when he was younger. He is now 23 and happily retired. We’ve been together his whole life. Best horse ever 💕 – Venantia M.Here is Soldier of Hope, aka Scout, Scoutie and The Scoutster. 21 years young, still going strong and sound. We’ve been together almost 18 years and competed Second Level. – Terri S.Maxx WL, Arabian gelding, at his 3rd Nationals at 23 . Still going strong and such a good boy for his amature. He has been shown in everything yet is a great trail horse . We showed him in his first in-hand show at 21 years old and won the class with a great score. – Sheron P.27 year old Morgan mare, Noaksee, at a show just last weekend. We still attend ODE’s and dressage shows. She has been my partner for 4+years, the horse I learned how to ride on! We have had our ups & downs while getting to know each other, but I would not trade the last 4 years for anything! She has taught this ‘senior citizen rider’so much! ❤️ – Kimberly S.Aliea! Chestnut 23 years old now. My second Dressage mount. We learned together Now a beloved school master. Daughter riding her this summer with friend on a 24 year old TB (another barn favorite). I earned my Bronze and Silver and Freestyle bars with Aliea. Blessed she’s still sound and happy. – Sonya H.Hustler’s Rythm Appaloosa gelding pictured at a show this year at 25. An amazing companion and competitor and my heart horse. – Janina K.My 22 year old Morgan gelding has shown absolutely no indication of slowing down 🙌 here we are showing this summer at 4th level! We even won 4th level high point 🤩 – Jessica L.This is my beautiful OTTB Royal Jester, who is now 31(!!). Pictured he was about 27 competing at Dressage at Lexington with me. He was foaled in 1991 in KY and raced under the name A Tilted Kiss. He bounced around a bit before landing at my farm c. 2014, wherein I started leasing him and then my family purchased him in 2015. We’ve been all over the East coast – he even came to college with me to Georgia from Pennsylvania! He’s my best friend and a wonderful dressage partner who was doing collection work right up until his 31st birthday in April. Jester is now retired and living the good life out with his new Mini friend Mr. T – Gillian A.This is Phaedra. She turned 25 in March. I owned her from the time she was around 8 until she was 16. She got me most of my bronze medal scores, carried a bunch of kids and taught them the dressage ropes and won plenty of championships. I sold her to a forever home when she was 16. When she was 23, one of the kids that knew her well spotted her in a “free” ad on social media. Her owner was ill and could no longer keep her. I picked her up and brought her back home a week later. Now she lives the retired life in pasture. I will be her final stop. She still looks great for an almost 26 year old, even though I don’t ride her anymore – Kristine B.Touch of Rum, 20 yo Morgan mare showing PSG.❤️❤️❤️ – Renee S.Levi 29yr old 17.3 hh Danish Warmblood retired Upper Level Dressage. The swat ointment handprints I did for the kids and people at the barn for a laugh. They call him “Big” Levi. – Heather G.Tobias A.K.A Tobey. He is a 24yr old welsh Morgan cross pony. He is the best little dressage pony out in the show rings!!! – Amanda A.Watermann or as I like to call him, The Professor. 22 year old Oldenburg FEI schoolmaster and best teacher around. He’s a total gummy bear in the barn. Loves to be doted on and gives all he has to help his rider understand proper movements. I am so lucky to get to ride and learn from this sweet old man. – Caitlin S.Fürst Fievel aka Fievel ❤️ Age 25. Hanoverian registered with the AWSSR. – Gabrielle J.Louie (28), Nikki (26), Patch (22). Enjoying retirement. – Lisa M.Milly aka CastleRidge Truly Above – 20 year old Morgan that is my daughters best friend and partner in crime. Actively competing in Hunt Seat, Western Dressage, Versatility, Working Equitation, Barrel Racing, Western Pleasure and Jumping. – Stephanie S.Our 22YO paint Two Tall Jigs. Rode through 2nd level and took me to regionals in 14,16 and 20. Nationals in 16 as well! He is retired from the bigger shows and teaching a 14YO the lower levels. They’re currently showing training level at NODA schooling shows and gearing up for the championship in October. He’s just the best boy all around! – Amanda S.Accolades (Bella) – 28 year old Hanoverian mare by Adios III out of Dominelle. Bella is a once in a lifetime mare, 100% redhead in every way, who gave us wonderful babies and incredible memories. She’s still going strong with a carefully managed diet she can chew. What an amazing horse. – Sandie D.22 year Kerigold, Westfalen gelding. Equitation horse, to college program, to successfully showing second level and working towards third! – Ashley G.This is Joi, my 22 year old American Warmblood (Oldenburg x Westphalian) mare. She has a wicked sense of humor and a heart of gold. I got her when I was sixteen and she gave me the chance to compete at the 2019 USPC West Coast Dressage Championships as well as my first rated shows. She has tested me, and tried me, and ultimately taught me so much. I owe so much of who I am and the rider I have become to her. I can honestly say I am the luckiest girl in the world to call her mine. – Brielle O.My big, sweet Lori (show name Comin’ Through) is a 22 year old, 16.3ish hand, TB/Percheron cross. I’ve had her since she was 10 months old. We’ve evented, dressaged, done a few hunter shows, trail ridden, camped and even fox hunted once. Next week, we are taking the ferry to Mackinac Island to trail ride. Last night, she took a hunter rider who wants to try eventing through her first cross country schooling. Lori has been the lead horse for countless young horses over ditches, up and down banks, through water, etc. She has taken many beginners around their first stadium and cross country courses and helped riders who have lost confidence after a fall get back on track. She’s the best pony ever and loved by many, but especially me. 💕 This is my daughter on Lori after her pony had dumped her hard. Yes, those are reindeer antlers. – Sherry G.-S.Windsong, aka Windy, Friesian X, 23 years and aging backwards, still passaging. Still sassy. – Margaret F.Moonshine OAM(Tucker) age 20 competed in his first rated shows this year, earning his first 3 scores towards our Bronze,after 9 months off rehabbing from surgery. He is also a lesson horse, has done 4-H, Pony Club, loves trail riding, and is a comical, lovable guy-my BFF! – Susan S.My heart horse, the 30-40 yr old Haflinger Peanutbutter, at a dressage Schooling Show teaching the young generation Leadline and Intro! – Anne T.My sweet 23 year old Arabian, Image “Just Imagine” 🥰 He chose me a little over a decade ago, and he’s recently retired due to some health issues. Image is my first horse, and I can’t begin to explain how much he’s taught me. Especially patience and listening to everything he’s telling me ❤️ He’s only 13.3hh but his personality explodes from his little body. He’s just so sweet and in my pocket, and he’s so expressive that I always know what he’s thinking. My little old man may he retired, but he’s got lots of sass left in him, and I’m excited for him to live out his retirement at home with me ❤️ Photo taken by me last weekend 💗 – Shana C.Sebastian, Dressage at Devon at 25 years young. – Jenn M.My mare of 26, Tabita, who has been my pride and joy for 20 years. She’s three quarters Arabian and she spends her twilight years 24/7 on a huge prairie in a herd. Love her to bits! ❤️ – Patricia R.Maestoso Tropina 25 and going strong – Anne T.Jag my Memory aka Angel. 21 year old registered paint. We’ve been together for 4 years and she is a been there and done that schoolmaster. Angel is teaching me to become a better rider and learn the art of dressage. She is a one in a million and I’m so blessed to have found her. – Terry L.Scooby (R U Sure). 24 year old gelding, still working hard and competing! Perrfect gentleman and saint of a horse, on the trail or in the ring! – Jennifer C.My Rynk. He is a 25 year old Friesian. I imported him from the Netherlands twenty years ago. He is the love of my life, the horse of a lifetime. He would take care of a three year old, great on the trails and do a beautiful job at the dressage shows. He easily learned tricks. and has the best personality. After meeting him, many people decided to get a Friesian as their horse. I have others, but there will never be another Rynk. – Martha S.My almost 23 year old Haflinger gelding came out of retirement today for a breast cancer benefit ride with my son-in-law that he’s attended multiple times over the last 8 years or so. – Holly K. USDF strongly recommends all riders wear protective headgear when mountedMy one eyed, 20 year old ango-arab gelding, Halylujah. I’ve had him since he was weaned, started him under saddle as a four year old, did a few years of endurance, switched to jumpers for more than 10 years, and are now enjoying our third career together as adult amateur dressage students. He’s as sweet and honest as they come. ❤️ – Jen E.My senior Dressage schoolmaster Horse. His name is Black Ty Affair, alias Ty. He taught me a lot the art of dressage. We did together for this past 7 years schooling shows. He gave me the best of him. We have fun in every ride 😍💕😎 – Moccasin Stables LLCFaith – 25 year old Haflinger that literally does it all. Eventing in her younger years, Western Pleasure, Western Dressage, Hunt Seat, Versatility, Mountain Trail, Driving, Therapeutic Riding and is just an amazing girl all around – Stephanie S.Cloven Spring George 22. Acts 7. Half Arab-Clydesdale. Dressage, eventing, Arab main ring and sport horse. Total goof ball. – Karla D.Wiesling- 22 year old Hanoverian mare by Wolkentanz out of Dividend (Domingo)- taught me so much about dressage and breeding– once in a lifetime mare- she has been my friend and partner for 19 years! – Angie M.Rudy is a 20 year old Oldenburg who embodies the definition of “school master.” He continues to be worked at the FEI level thanks to careful management and good footing. Rudy has helped me up the levels with the support of a small village of friends and trainers. His owner and I have both earned our gold medals on him, and he continues to be successful in the show ring. This year, he is qualified for AA Grand Prix at finals. Most importantly though, Rudy is my steady Freddy and my best friend who has taught me so much over the years. Pictured are Rudy and I on my wedding day with the two friends who have supported me the most in my riding and personal life. – Megan B.At 22 years old, Calderon 25 “Calvin” is my Grand Prix school master and is still going strong. He took me to my Bronze in 2017. We’re currently working on my Silver medal, showing at 4th level, and it would be my dream come true to earn my Gold medal with him. He is my heart horse. I have grown and changed so much as a human being to be is dance partner. He still has the power and athleticism of a teenager. I am so lucky to have him in my life. Thank you Lisa Eagley-DesRosiers for finding him for me. – Chris U.Riven Run Roscoe is a super special 25 year old Holsteiner gelding. I earned my gold medal on him at 18. Three more people earned their gold medals on him after that! This year he “stepped down” to Intermediate I 💕 – Jennifer M.
