I cannot think of many other activities that involve people from every age group to the extent that horseback riding does. My trail riding companions typically range in age from teens to seventies. Some children start riding before they can walk and there are plenty of examples of people riding well into their 90s. In many cases experience does not correspond to age; it is not uncommon for younger riders to have more experience than older riders who took up the sport later in life. The result is like a quilt, with bright new patches and old weathered sections, plain bits and patterned bits – a joy to experience.
I recently spent a weekend riding with friends in the Adirondack Mountains in northern New York state. On the trail and around the dinner table, the four of us – ranging in age from 21 to 75 – rode and laughed and carried on, each bringing her own experience to share and her own openness to learn from the others. On the one hand I was acutely aware of the difference in our ages (comparing my need to use my hand to get my left foot in the stirrup to 21-year old Erin’s ease with mounting), and on the other hand I felt we were peers. We had the same enthusiasm for the trail, the same appreciation for our horses, and shared joy of a great meal after the hours spent in the saddle.
In 2016 I went to Alberta, Canada with 10 friends to ride in the Rocky Mountains. When planning the trip and inviting women to come, we had no hesitation about including women of any age. We were much more concerned about fortitude because the terrain was going to be demanding; the invitation clearly stated, “no wimps allowed.” In the end, we had every decade of life represented through the seventies.
Nancy, the eldest at 71 and tough as nails, showed us that there is no need to limit yourself as you age. She loves riding because she can “keep up with the young’uns, it’s much better than being sedentary and stuck with a bunch of old folks playing cards,” and motivates her to keep fit. Suki, at 62, equally as tough and even crazier than Nancy, handled her horse beautifully – being a lifelong horsewoman – and demonstrated that even a dude-ranch horse can perform well in the right hands. Glenda, 64, whom I met when we both lived in Alaska, is one of the most thoughtful (and by that I mean deeply-thinking) people I know. Although she lives in the Rockies not far south of where we were riding, every peak and fern-laden forest was an inspiration to her. When I asked her to reflect on the topic of age, she said that riding feels “timeless” to her.
I was the sole representative of the 50s decade. How did I inspire the others? I have no idea! I organized the trip, so perhaps the others might say something like “Monica, in her 50s, has the enthusiasm of youth and the organizational skills of age, so she was the perfect trip planner.” Woo-hoo!
Elizabeth, 45, was a stalwart in the group. Never fazed, always offering a solution, practical and yet never taking anything too seriously and quick to laugh, she represents that perfect middle ground of “middle age.” The other representative of the 40s, Nicole, was equally as grounded and light at the same time, always up for any adventure and never complaining. She says “I want to be Nancy when I grow up.”
We had three women in their 30s on the trip. Isn’t the 30s just the ideal decade? You have the energy of youth and just enough wisdom to avoid those stupid decisions you made when you were younger…. Ah, I digress… Kerrie is a solid horsewomen with horse-sense and patience that I wish I had, and on the Alberta trip helped me come to the decision to buy a horse (first one of my very own). Brigid was pregnant at the time and took the right amount of care to protect her baby by choosing a gentle horse while participating in every way in the adventure – a great role model for her daughter-to-be.
And then then there is Amy. Amy flew in all the way from Australia and is like a sparkling ball of sunshine. She is adventurous and positive and is like a sponge for all that life has to offer (reminds me of my younger self except I was never that sparkly).
Kelly, 26 at the time, is a no-nonsense quiet presence who doesn’t say much but turns your head when you see her on a horse because she is such a natural. In reflecting on the trip she said “a passion for riding brought us all together, but it was clear there was more that we all had in common, despite being different ages. It was great getting to know such a fun, accepting, independent, wise group of women!”
Erin, at 18, was already a confident and skilled rider and shares the joy of riding with her mother, Elizabeth (who was also on the trip). What I love about them is how well they get along and support each other. Erin is as easy-going as her mother and unlike so many other teenagers, there was no drama about her. Maybe being around horses has taught her that drama is not helpful.
Our youngest rider, representing the first decade of life was Brigid’s baby who was in utero at the time! Lily is now 2 years old and recently started her riding career on a pony named Pickles.
The great thing about riding is that it’s a passion you can maintain for a lifetime. It really is timeless. You might stop jumping in favor of flat work, choose walking over cantering, or even stop riding and just enjoy grooming and feeding your horses carrots, but you can always have horses in your life (one might even visit you in the nursing home). As they say: you don’t stop horseback riding because you get old, you get old because you stop horseback riding. I am NEVER getting old!
Happy trails!
Monica
Happy trails indeed!