POINT OF VIEW Fifty-Something and Still Eventing
Eventers over the age of fifty are a rare commodity. As equestrians age, especially amateurs, the sport, with its many demands and risks, tends to thin the ranks of middle-aged riders.
ing as calm and composed as ever. What is it that keeps these older (and presumably wiser) equestrians entrenched in the sport? We caught up with two, one a professional and the oth- er an amateur, who were willing to share their perspectives on the age factor, the appeal of the sport and the horses they love. Robin Walker recently turned 50 and is originally from Great
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Britain. He rides and trains out of his own Maute House Farm in Grass Lake, Michigan, but also migrates to Ocala, Florida each winter. There you can spot Robin compet- ing numerous horses at an event or giving his horses show jumping experience at HITS Ocala. He is a faculty member and assessor for the USEA in- structor certification program and last year took on the role of coordinator for both the Future Event Horse and Young Event Horse committees. Peter Barry is currently 58 and is based in Quebec, Canada.
As an amateur he has been particularly successful with his Irish-bred horse Kil- rodan Abbott (Clover Brigade x Leabeg), whom he rode at the 2012 Olympics in London representing Canada as well as at the World Equestrian Games last year in France. He owns his own stables, Maple Hill Farm in Dunham, Quebec, and spends his winters training in Aiken, South Carolina. He trains with Phillip Dutton.
WT: Do you find it difficult to continue to compete in eventing as you’ve gotten older? Robin: No! I’ve always enjoyed it immensely. I love getting out there to compete on many horses. The harder part is the
hile spectating at one of the larger horse trials this past winter in Florida, we spotted a handful of older eventers out there on the cross country course, look-
daily grind of getting the horses trained and ready for competi- tion. When that is no longer enjoyable, it will be a problem. Peter: I’d rather be younger and ride, but that’s not an op-
tion! I work out and am careful about what I eat. It hasn’t got- ten any easier, but I still enjoy it.
WT: What is it about eventing that keeps you going? Robin: Mostly I enjoy the horses, especially the younger
ones. Also, there’s always room for improvement, and ad- mittedly my weakest phase for a long tim was the flat work. Thanks to Gerd Reuter things are now improving. Peter: There are lots of reasons. My love of horses – they
are good for the soul. I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors and the rural areas of our countries. The cross country phase is still ex- hilarating and brings high adrenalin. The idea of a triathlon for horse and rider gives diversity to the sport. I also enjoy my win- ters in Aiken since there are a lot of my colleagues there.
WT: As an eventing trainer and rider, how are you different now than when you were in your twenties and thirties? Robin: When I lived in England I was a young ambitious
rider. I had two very good horses I ruined since I was so com- petitive. Their careers ended sooner than they should have. It taught me a huge lesson. I learned to become sensitive to the horses—their care and wellness. They have their limits and it’s our responsibility to look after them. Having horses here in North America is different than in England. Over there the climate and terrain are kind to the horse, whereas here the cli- mate and terrain can be quite severe. Peter: I came late to the sport of eventing at the age of 35.
I used to think tomorrow is another day. Today I’m more aware of how fortunate I am and how every day is important. Today I realize the importance of maintaining my physical shape. I think I’m more efficient with the training and more patient with myself, the horses and my expectations.
WT: Are you more selective today about what types of horses you will ride? Robin: Yes. When I first came to the U.S., I rode anything
that came along. As you get older, you learn to recognize what you should and shouldn’t ride. I’m more disciplined about my decisions. I am blessed to have the nicest group of horses right now. Peter: I should be, but it doesn’t always work out that way. I’m trying to be smarter. I prefer to start a younger horse and
Warmbloods Today 91
By Liz Cornell
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