By Janet Nierzwick
I purchased Sweet Emmylou, or Emmy as she’s casually known, after losing my Friesian gelding to a sudden illness.
At the time, I was struggling with almost crippling anxiety and dealing with several major health issues. I was not even sure that I wanted to continue riding. I certainly never thought that I would fall for a hot mare. But I did! That was in 2017.
It took us years of struggling, a lot of patience, and really good coaching to get us through. But we did it! I can say that no awards or ribbons have given me as much of a sense of accomplishment as simply riding with confidence does. It took a long time and a lot of hard work, but this incredible, sweet mare stuck with me through it all. I’m sure I gave her plenty of reason to dump me in the dirt, but by her grace and the grace of God, she never has. Little by little, my anxiety took a back seat to my riding goals.
I was a 57-year-old, First Level rider when I bought Emmy, and it was probably not the best time to start with a new horse, especially while hoping to get to the upper levels someday. But there was something about her.
It certainly wasn’t her conformation – she wouldn’t win any awards on that. Emmy was a small, grade, plain brown mare. Her ears are unusually large, and she chooses to never pose for a photo. Those ears never stop moving – a quality I have now grown to love!! She was hardly the picture of what someone would look for when searching for an FEI prospect. I was looking for an all-around horse to take me on the trails, have some fun with arena games, and possibly even put on a western saddle to have some fun sorting cows. She seemed level-headed and had a good work ethic, so I figured she might just fit the bill. If she happened to excel at dressage, then all the better!
It is now almost seven years later, and my little brown mare is showing Prix St. Georges, won Reserve Champion Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur in the small horse division at the National Dressage Pony Cup, and is working on the Intermediate 1 work in the off-season. Everyone knows the guy who tells the same story over and over of his great high school football victory – the one who makes that victory the defining moment of his life. That is exactly how I felt riding Emmy on my very first victory lap at the age of 63!! I really can’t imagine a less likely pair to be cantering around that ring with an audience of well-wishers applauding! I wasn’t raised in a wealthy family. We lived in the city and struggled for everything. I grew up and raised a family, built a career, and took lessons whenever possible. It was hardly the makings of a star. But somehow, here I was, riding my plain brown, amazingly wonderful mare in a victory lap at the World Equestrian Center. As a horse-crazy youngster, I couldn’t have even imagined this day happening.
I wish I could take credit for our great success, but it has only been because we have a trainer who believes in us more than we believe in ourselves at times. We have been blessed with many good people who have helped us along our journey, and each has played an important role. Thanks to all of them, this incredible mare and I have earned both my USDF Bronze and Silver Medals, been a demo rider in a major horse exposition, and shown extensively throughout the midwest and in Florida. We have performed in multiple equine theater performances, worked and mastered an obstacle course without hesitation, and trail-ridden countless miles alone and in groups. Emmy and I have spent more hours than I can count alone in a field sorting out issues that I could not seem to master in the arena, and, most importantly, we have built a rock-solid relationship that I will cherish for the rest of my days. Not bad for an anxiety-ridden senior rider and her plain brown mare!
I was looking for an all-around horse that might be able to do some dressage. Instead, I found a talented dressage horse that will do anything, anytime, anywhere I ask, who has restored my confidence and taken me on the journey of a lifetime!
When asked what advice I would have for other senior riders, I would say:
- Ignore the doubters! They will always be there. Everywhere you go and in everything you do, someone will say that you can’t. Make it your mission to prove them wrong.
- Ignore your aches and pains. They are not going to go away. You can either give in to them or just accept them and persevere. Choose the latter.
- Ride every day! When it is cold, snowing, raining, hot, etc., or you are tired and just feel like sleeping – get up and ride!! You will be happy that you did.
- Make sure that your horse is up for the challenge. If it is not, make sure that you have a plan for a suitable and safe retirement for your horse, and find one that is. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Do the best that you can with the funds that you have available.
- Find a trainer that believes in you and your horse. Choose one that understands your goals and is willing to go on that journey with you. If it’s not working, don’t hesitate to find a new one. Life is short, and every day matters, so don’t waste a single one!!!
- Set reasonable and attainable goals! When you reach them, set new ones.
- Be in charge of your own destiny and the president of your own fan club. Nobody can make it happen but you!
