Wine, art, some cheese, and friendships. What do they have in common? They all get better with time – just like the Senior Superstars we’re celebrating on YourDressage throughout the month of March!
When this rider from Region 3 set off to purchase a horse, she was adamant on one thing: “Must be a gelding.” Of course, she found herself with a chestnut filly, and was pleasantly surprised to learn that the “red-headed mare” trope is usually a myth!
By Kelli Agnew
Twelve years ago, I set off on a search for a German Riding Pony (GRP). Color didn’t really matter, but sex did. I wanted a gelding, of course. The last mare I had bucked me off. And that was over 50 years ago. Who in their right mind would consider a mare?! I found a few geldings, and thankfully, the first I called about was bred and owned by USDF Gold Breeder of Distinction Angie Mirarchi. Angie was kind enough to give me the history of German Riding Ponies in the States, and then tell me all about Max, the pony I had called about. We made plans for me to drive to North Carolina to try Max, and then the dreaded question, “While you’re here, I also have a GRP mare that is for sale, would you like to try her as well?” Angie had been so kind to me, and I figured, why not? Surely I wouldn’t die if I just looked at the mare and rode her at the walk, right?
We arrived at Angie’s farm, and I tried Max. He was a beautiful bay gelding, so absolutely sweet, and a joy to ride. But he was the first pony I had looked at, and you can’t be too hasty when looking for a new dressage partner. Angie then brought out the four-year-old mare, Jovee Mercedez – not just a mare, but a chestnut mare. She was almost a mirror image of my old retired Paint horse gelding at home. Angie walked, trotted, and cantered Mercedez, and I was impressed by this mare because she was far superior to anything I thought I’d ever own at this point in my life. After all, I had a child in vet school that I had to support for a few more years. I then got on and despite the fact that she had just been started, and my riding was not that great, Mercedez was so tolerant. Hmmm… is this your typical chestnut mare? Guess you’re never too old to learn something new.
I decided to think about it, and returned home to continue my “gelding shopping.” But, as luck would have it, every single gelding I called about had sold. Even Max. That’s when I knew Mercedez was destined to be my new German Riding Pony partner. And I knew I was about to embark on quite the learning journey.
Fortunately, both Mercedez and I love learning new things. I had never trained or shown above First Level, and Mercedez was solid at the walk, trot, and canter when I got her. So, with the assistance of a wonderful trainer, we were successful at both Training and First Levels, and we even managed to knock it out of the park by earning several scores in the 70s at Training Level! Once we got to First Level, she continued to impress me, earning First Level Adult Amateur Small Horse Reserve Champion at the National Dressage Pony Cup – East in 2021.
Mercedez and I are now training Third Level, while successfully showing Second Level, and she even helped me earn Master’s Challenge Awards at both First and Second Level. The best part about this dressage journey is that we’re never too old to learn something new. Mercedez is now 16 and has begun training in a double bridle. I am, well, long past 16, and have limited riding experience on other horses with a double bridle. We’re now riding with a USDF Certified Instructor who believes in pushing us out of our comfort zones and into the next level.
Learning something new continues as I have moved into my late 60s. Angie bred her lovely mare, Princi (a half-sister to Mercedez), to the German Riding Pony stallion, Golden State NRW. The foal from this breeding is now a yearling, and he is my new gelding, Golden Eclipse. He was successfully shown at the Southeast Breeders Championship Series in 2024. I’m raising a baby and continuing to learn something new.
No matter your age, continued learning is imperative. Surround yourself with good instructors who have been there, and you’ll always be able to learn something new.
